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The Australian Mountain Doodle is one of the many members of the Doodle family of dogs. These designer dogs rightfully earned their status as the epitome of a perfect family dog. But does the Aussie Mountain Doodle live up to this image?
Being the offspring of two Poodle mix parents, the Aussie Mountain Doodle is at an even greater advantage of acquiring the best traits in terms of looks, temperament, and energy levels.
If you are intrigued about how this mixed breed brings the best of the Poodle, Australian Shepherd, and Bernese Mountain Dog in one adorable teddy bear package, read until the end!
What Is an Australian Mountain Doodle?
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An Australian Mountain Doodle is a cross between the Aussiedoodle and Bernedoodle. All in all, this dog is a combination of the Poodle, Australian Shepherd, and Bernese Mountain Dog. Unsurprisingly, these dogs are low-shedding crossbreed, highly intelligent, moderately active, and very affectionate.
The ability of the Australian Mountain Doodle to combine the best traits of the three breeds is what makes it uniquely special.
The Australian Shepherd dog is known to be very intelligent and eager to please, the Bernese Mountain Dog is a gentle and easy-going dog, and the Poodle has a sweet temperament and low-shedding coat.
At the same time, producing this cross enables the certain traits of its parent breeds to be enhanced.
The Australian Mountain Doodle is able to improve the lifespan of the Bernese Mountain Dog and temper the highly-energetic tendencies of the Australian Shepherd and Poodle.
Being a mixed breed, the Australian Mountain Doodle can be registered in the Dog Registry of America, Designer Breed Registry, and AKC Canine Partners.
Australian Mountain Doodle vs. Australian Bernedoodle: What’s the Difference?
While the Australian Mountain Doodle and Australian Bernedoodle may look quite similar, they are different designer breeds.
The Australian Mountain Doodle is the offspring of two Doodle dogs. In other words, this mix has two hybrid parents, both of which are half Poodle.
The parent breeds of the Aussie Mountain Doodle are the Aussiedoodle — the mix of an Australian Shepherd and Poodle — and the Bernedoodle — the cross between a Bernese Mountain Dog and Poodle.
The Australian Bernedoodle, or Aussie Bernedoodle, on the other hand, is the result of crossbreeding an Australian Labradoodle with a Bernese Mountain Dog.
The Australian Labradoodle is composed of a mix of a Labrador Retriever, Poodle, and Cocker Spaniel.
Australian Mountain Doodle Origin and History
While there is no clear documented account of the origin of this mixed breed, the Aussie Mountain Doodle is said to have been first produced sometime during the mid-2010s.
Its parent breeds have been around for many centuries, and their legacy as excellent dogs may have influenced the decision of breeders to eventually cross these breeds.
The Australian Shepherd dog has a history of being a great herder from Europe. As they are working dogs, they are naturally smart and highly energetic.
Bernese Mountain Dogs are also known to be great working dogs that originally worked on farms in Switzerland as herders, watchdogs, and draft dogs. Their easy-going nature made them loyal companions of farmers.
The Poodle traces its origin in Germany, working as a duck hunter in the lakes. Their intelligence, ability to swim well, and natural curly coat helped these purebred dogs become dependable partners of hunters.
The goal of breeders to produce a well-rounded companion with great temperament, intelligence, looks, and a low-shedding coat suitable for the average family was achieved when the Aussie Mountain Doodle was produced.
Also referred to as the Swiss Doodle, this mixed breed blends the unique traits of the Australian Shepherd, Bernese Mountain Dog, and Poodle.
Australian Mountain Doodle Appearance
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Depending on their parent’s dominant traits, the Australian Mountain Doodle can take on the features of the Australian Shepherd, Bernese Mountain Dog, and the Poodle.
Their appearance can also vary depending on the generation they come from. F1 generation means that the Australian Mountain Doodle’s parents are an Aussiedoodle and Bernedoodle.
F2 generation means that the parents of the Australian Mountain Doodle are both Australian Mountain Doodle breeds.
The Australian Mountain Doodle’s soft coat can come in different types. Some may have a curly coat, while others will have a wavy coat. There are also others with straight coats.
Those that have short straight coats are said to be more prone to shedding as compared to those that have curly, wavy, or long coats.
This dog breed can also come in a variety of colors. These are white, black, blue, brown, red, and blonde. Their color patterns are also what make these teddy bear dogs look more attractive.
These dogs can be bi-color, tri-color, phantom, and merle. Bi-color Aussie Mountain Doodles have a single coat color paired with white markings on their chest, face, feet, and tail.
While tri-color Aussie Mountain Doodles appear similar to the bi-color, they have additional tan points on their cheeks, chest, and areas above the eyes, legs, and rear.
On the other hand, phantom Aussie Mountain Doodles are said to have very little to no white markings on their coat.
They have a single coat color paired with tan points on their cheeks, chest, and areas above the eyes, legs, and rear.
Meanwhile, a merle Aussie Mountain Doodle has a single base coat color with patches of a darker shade of the same color on their body. They usually have little or no white markings on their bodies.
For instance, a blue merle Australian Mountain Doodle will appear to have a light gray coloring with darker patches of gray on its body. They can also have blue eyes.
Australian Mountain Doodle Size and Weight
A standard Australian Mountain Doodle is around 21 to 28 inches in height. They usually weigh between 50 and 95 pounds, depending on the size of their parent breeds.
Similar to the medium-sized standard Poodle and Australian Shepherd, they are usually medium-sized dogs, though it is also possible to have a large-sized Swiss Doodle due to its Bernese Mountain Dog lineage.
If you prefer a more compact-sized teddy bear dog than the standard Australian Mountain Doodle, you can consider getting a mini Australian Mountain Doodle. They are a good fit for those with smaller living spaces.
A miniature Australian Mountain Doodle is usually between 19 and 22 inches in height and weighs around 20 to 40 pounds.
Medium to large-sized Australian Mountain Doodles generally reach their peak height upon reaching 12 to 18 months. The mini Australian Mountain Doodle usually matures faster. They reach their full size at 6 to 12 months.
Australian Mountain Doodle Temperament and Personality
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Australian Mountain Doodles are great family dogs with their easy-going nature, high intelligence, and moderate energy level. These dog breeds are extremely loyal to family members and enjoy being by their side.
Both the standard and mini Australian Mountain Doodle do well with families with small children, other dogs, and other pets. They are highly social canines that are friendly with strangers, making them poor watchdogs.
Due to their sweet personality, these dog breeds make good therapy dogs. At the same time, their intelligence and eagerness to please make them highly trainable and reliable guide dogs.
As this Poodle mix has a great desire to be with their family, leaving them alone for a long time can lead to separation anxiety.
This designer breed is not a good match for people who are frequently away from home or have busy schedules making them unavailable to spend quality time with their dog.
Australian Mountain Doodles tend to have a high prey drive, so it is important to have a secure yard and properly train and socialize them with other pets as a puppy.
Do you want to see a well-trained Swiss Doodle? Watch the clip below:
LuLu Australian Mountain Doodle<a href="https://youtu.be/mkHXptKtO54" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.bubblypet.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FmkHXptKtO54%2F0.jpg" alt="LuLu Australian Mountain Doodle" width="1280" height="700" /><br />Watch this video on YouTube</a>
Australian Mountain Doodle Lifespan and Health Issues
Being a mixed breed, Australian Mountain Doodles tend to have a longer life expectancy compared to their Bernese Mountain Dog parent.
Australian Mountain Doodles can live for 10 to 15 years on average. But just like any other breed, the standard and miniature Australian Mountain Doodle are also prone to certain health issues.
Below are some of the health issues of the Australian Mountain Doodle:
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia: Aussie Mountain Doodles can be prone to developing hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia, similar to their Bernese Mountain Dog parent. Hip dysplasia occurs due to the abnormality in the growth and development of the hip joint, while in elbow dysplasia, the malformation occurs in the elbow joints.
Von Willebrand’s Disease: Von Willebrand’s disease is a genetic blood disorder caused by the low levels of proteins that aid in proper blood clotting resulting in excessive bleeding of Australian Mountain Doodles when injured. Their Poodle parent is also known to be susceptible to this disease.
Cancer: Australian Mountain Doodles are at risk of developing certain types of cancer, just like the Bernese Mountain Dogs. These dog breeds can suffer from mast cell tumors and histiocytosis. These cancers involving abnormal accumulation of white blood cells are usually diagnosed through a biopsy.
Eye and Ear Problems: Eye problems such as progressive retinal atrophy can affect this Doodle breed. This condition slowly leads to blindness and, unfortunately, has no known treatment or cure. The floppy ears of this breed can also be prone to ear infections. Signs of ear infection include odor, discharge, shaking of the head, redness, and itchiness.
As a pet parent, it is crucial to be keen on recognizing signs of these health problems. Making frequent trips to the vet also helps ensure that your pup is in good condition.
If you are an aspiring owner of this mixed breed, make sure to purchase from a reputable breeder who performs genetic testing on their puppies.
How to Take Care of Your Australian Mountain Doodle
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Taking care of your Australian Mountain Doodle means knowing how to properly provide for their needs in terms of food and diet, grooming, training, and exercise.
The following sections provide tips on how to take care of this cuddly dog breed.
Food and Diet
This Doodle breed is a moderately energetic dog that needs 1 to 3 cups of high-quality dog food every day.
While there is no specific diet recommended for these medium-sized dogs, it is important to ensure that they are fed the right amount of food to avoid becoming overweight.
You can also include fruits, vegetables, and supplements in their diet to further support good health. Blueberries contain lutein, and carrots contain lycopene, both of which are essential to maintaining good eyesight.
Broccoli provides antioxidants that help protect against cancer, and glucosamine is a good supplement for joint health.
In terms of food that Aussie Mountain Doodles can’t eat, read our guide on toxic foods for the Australian Shepherd. Most foods listed there are also harmful to your Doodle!
Cleaning and Grooming
Just like other dogs, the Australian Mountain Doodle’s coat needs regular grooming to maintain the beauty of its coat. Daily brushing is necessary to avoid tangles.
Use a slicker or pin brush first to remove knots and tangles, then follow with a metal comb to ensure that there are no tangles left underneath. Always check behind the ears and armpits as those areas are prone to matting.
It is also important to apply a moisturizing mist to the coat before brushing to avoid breakage and add elasticity to the hair.
Bathing should be done once every two weeks or as necessary. Never air dry your Australian Mountain Doodle if its coat is curly. Air drying will make their curls tight. Use a blow dryer instead and carefully brush their hair as it dries.
Professional grooming is usually recommended to help ensure that your pooch is in its best condition and to achieve the desired look. You can opt for a copper trim which is shorter and easier to maintain.
These designer dogs tend to have tear stains, so their eyes must also be wiped daily to avoid staining.
Training and Exercise
Australian Shepherd dogs and Poodles are known to be highly intelligent dogs. The Australian Mountain Doodle naturally takes after its parents’ high trainability making him able to learn commands with ease.
While this designer dog may also inherit the stubborn or sensitive side of its Bernese Mountain Dog parent, with consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement, the Australian Mountain Dog is bound to learn and obey well.
This dog breed with moderate energy level needs enough exercise in the form of daily walks, jogging, hiking, or even swimming. Ideally, they should have around 40 to 80 minutes of daily exercise.
Mental stimulation is also important for this fluffy dog breed to avoid resorting to destructive behavior inside the house due to boredom.
Dog puzzle toys or treat-releasing toys are effective tools for the mental stimulation of your pooch.
How Much Does an Australian Mountain Doodle Cost? Puppy Prices and Expenses
The price of an Australian Mountain Doodle puppy from reputable breeders is around $3,000 to $7,500. Puppies with rare color patterns and those coming from champion bloodlines are usually on the higher tier of the price range.
If you consider adopting this fluffy dog, adoption fees range from $150 to $650. Adoption enables a homeless Australian Mountain Doodle to find a new forever home.
Your puppy would also need various supplies and items to ease into your home.
The following are the initial expenses for an Australian Mountain Doodle:
These initial expenses are rough estimates, and your actual spending can still vary depending on the actual size of your Australian Mountain Doodle puppy and your preference for items and procedures.
Places to Find Australian Mountain Doodle Puppies for Sale and Adoption
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Choosing a reputable breeder to purchase your Australian Mountain Dog from is essential to ensure that you get a healthy puppy with a sound temperament.
Never purchase from puppy mills as they do not abide by ethical standards in producing their puppies, unlike responsible and reputable breeders.
The following are some reputable breeders of Australian Mountain Doodles:
Stokeshire Designer Doodles – Located in Medford, Wisconsin, Stokeshire Designer Doodles produces Doodle mixes, including the Australian Mountain Doodle. Puppies are raised in their home and socialized with family members. They carefully select service dogs and champion bloodlines in their breeding program.
Brick House Farm – Brick House Farm’s Australian Mountain Doodle puppies come with a two-year health guarantee and comprehensive health record. They are also vaccinated and dewormed. Puppies are raised in the owner’s home and socialized with their family.
Blue Skye Doodles – Blue Skye Doodles is dedicated to responsibly breeding Australian Mountain Doodles and Bernedoodles. Parents are genetically tested and cleared of common health issues. Their puppies have regular weight checks and undergo early neurological stimulation and handling.
For more breeder options, you can also check out our recommended Bernedoodle, Australian Shepherd, and Poodle breeders.
Our puppy buying guide provides useful tips on safely purchasing puppies online.
If you prefer adopting an Australian Mountain Doodle, below are some places you can check out:
Doodle Rock Rescue – Doodle Rock Rescue is a non-profit rescue organization focused on rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming abandoned Poodle mixes, including the Australian Mountain Doodle. To date, they have successfully rehomed over 1,200 dogs.
Australian Shepherds Furever – Australian Shepherds Furever is also a non-profit rescue dedicated to rescuing purebred Australian Shepherds and their mixes, including the Australian Mountain Doodle. They provide foster and medical care, training, and rehabilitation to rescued dogs.
Adopt-a-Pet – Adopt-a-Pet is an online platform that helps connect shelters, rescue groups, humane societies, and adoption agencies with potential adopters. You might find an Australian Mountain Doodle pup looking for a new home on this site.
For additional options, you can also check out our 10 best Bernedoodle and Australian Shepherd rescues.
You can also read our guide on dog adoption in order to know what to expect and to better prepare for the adoption process.
Pros and Cons of Owning an Australian Mountain Doodle Mix
Similar to the two sides of a coin, there are advantages and disadvantages of owning a mixed breed such as the Australian Mountain Doodle.
If you are contemplating whether this dog may be the right breed for you, knowing the pros and cons of owning one can help you gain clarity.
Below are some of the advantages of owning an Australian Mountain Doodle:
Smart and highly trainable: This crossbreed is the offspring of extremely smart breeds such as the Australian Shepherd and Poodle making this designer dog very easy to train. They are suitable for various tasks and even make good guide dogs.
Longer lifespan: Owning a mixed breed dog such as the Australian Mountain Doodle allows for a longer lifespan as compared to its purebred parent. Owners can enjoy extended years with their beloved canines.
Great temperament: The combination of the three breeds also blends their temperaments resulting in an Australian Mountain Doodle that is an affectionate, loyal, and moderately energetic dog.
Low-shedding: The Australian Mountain Doodle’s coat takes after its Poodle parent’s low-shedding quality making them suitable for people who are prone to allergies.
The following are the disadvantages of owning an Australian Mountain Doodle:
High maintenance: The Australian Mountain Doodle requires daily brushing and regular professional grooming to keep its coat in its best condition.
Can have a stubborn streak: Due to its high intelligence, the Australian Mountain Doodle can also possess an independent side, especially during its puppy years.
The unpredictability of adult size: As a designer breed, it is difficult to determine the final size of the Australian Mountain Doodle, as it depends on its unique genetic makeup, diet, and lifestyle.
Expensive to own: The Australian Mountain Doodle comes with a high price tag due to the amount of research, careful breeding practices, and genetic testing involved in producing these teddy bear canines.
Knowing the mentioned pros and cons can help you better decide if these mixed breed dogs fit well with your lifestyle and if you are capable of living up to their specific needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Are Australian Mountain Doodles Good Dogs?
Australian Mountain Doodles are excellent dogs that are capable of various tasks and suitable for most families.
They have the perfect blend of their parent’s unique traits with their moderate energy levels, intelligence, eagerness to please, easy-going nature, loyalty, and charming appearance.
Are Aussie Mountain Doodles Hypoallergenic?
Australian Mountain Doodles are considered hypoallergenic dogs because they shed a very minimal amount of hair. They are suitable for people with mild allergies as their likelihood of causing allergic reactions is low.
It is important to note, though, that hypoallergenic is different from non-allergenic, and no dog can be completely free of allergen.
Do Aussie Mountain Doodles Shed?
Yes, Australian Mountain Doodles shed a minimal amount of hair. While they are low-shedding dogs, they still need frequent brushing to keep their hair from being tangled and matted.
Can Australian Mountain Doodles Swim?
Yes, Australian Mountain Doodles can swim. This can be due to their Poodle parent’s ability to swim or an acquired skill through training, though not all Australian Mountain Doodles may be naturally fond of swimming.
Final Thoughts: Is an Aussie Mountain Doodle the Right Dog for You?
The Australian Mountain Doodle proves itself worthy of being called a perfect family dog thanks to its unique heritage of three remarkable breeds.
This teddy bear canine has a sweet temperament, high intelligence, and good looks enough to make any pet lover immediately want to take them home.
But owning an Australian Mountain Doodle also means spending a lot of time and resources caring for this fluffy breed.
You have to be dedicated enough to properly raise, train, and keep up with their high grooming requirements.
As pet ownership is not something to be taken lightly, you have to prepare well to take on the lifelong responsibilities if you are set on having an Australian Mountain Doodle as an addition to your family.
Do you think the Australian Mountain Doodle is the perfect family dog? Let us know in your comments below.
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