Last Updated on
Are you ready to welcome a furry friend into your life? If you’re looking for a dog that’s equal parts cute, smart, and lovable, then say hello to the Aussie Mountain Doodle.
Today, we’re diving into everything you need to know about this dog breed, including reasons you might not want to add one to your family. Ready to get started? Let’s go.
| Australian Mountain Doodle Characteristics | |
| Temperament | Playful, energetic, and intelligent |
| Weight | 50 to 60 pounds |
| Height | 23 to 25 inches |
| Lifespan | 12 to 15 years |
What are Australian Mountain Doodles?
The Australian Mountain Doodle is a mix of three breeds: a Bernese Mountain Dog, an Australian Shepherd, and a Standard Poodle. They’re often referred to as Aussie Mountain Doodles, Aussie Bernedoodle, or Swiss Doodles.
Typically, Australian Mountain Doodles are Bernedoodles that are then bred with an Australian Shepherd.
Although they’re deemed an allergy-friendly dog, they may not be suitable for those with severe allergies as they have two parent breeds that are not suitable for people with allergies.
Are Aussie Mountain Doodles the same as Aussiedoodles?
Although their names are similar, Aussie Mountain Doodles and Aussiedoodles are not the same dog—but they’re similar. Aussiedoodles are a cross between two dogs: an Australian Shepherd and a Standard Poodle.
Unlike Aussie Mountain Doodles, Aussiedoodles are not part Bernese Mountain Dog.
Temperament and personality
Aussie Mountain Doodles tend to take on the personalities of all three parent breeds: the Bernese Mountain Dog, the Poodle, and the Australian Shepherd. As such, Aussie Mountain Doodles tend to be:
Intelligent
The Australian Mountain Doodle is an intelligent and easy-to-train dog breed. As all three of the parent breeds are working dogs, an Aussie Mountain Doodle loves training sessions and needs daily mental enrichment.
Affectionate
Australian Mountain Doodles are loving and affectionate dogs that thrive in family environments due to their sweet and gentle nature. They’re great with kids and other dogs, but they can develop separation anxiety if not trained and socialized correctly.
Eager to please
Australian Mountain Doodles are not only loving and affectionate dogs but are also easygoing, intelligent, and eager to please their owners.
They thrive on positive reinforcement training and excel at learning new commands and tricks. They have a remarkable ability to catch onto commands quickly and are fantastic listeners, making them an ideal choice for first-time dog owners.
Playful
With endless amounts of energy, Aussie Mountain Doodles are perfect for high-energy families who enjoy going on long walks, runs, and hikes. This pooch loves playing fetch, running around, and being active.
Appearance
Size
If bred with a Standard Poodle, Australian Mountain Doodles range from 23 to 23 inches tall and typically weigh 50 to 60 pounds.
Medium Aussie Mountain Doodles are typically bred with Miniature Poodles and weigh around 30 to 40 pounds and stand 19 to 22 inches tall.
Mini Australian Mountain Doodles are bred with a Toy Poodle and may be slightly smaller, but they can be incredibly rare and hard to find.
Colors
The lovable Aussie Mountain Doodle is available in various colors, including merle and tricolor. The most frequent color combinations are chocolate and black tricolor and chocolate and blue merle.
Tricolor Aussie Mountain Doodles usually feature a mix of black, white, and chocolate, with a copper trim on their face, above the eyes, legs, and chest.
On the other hand, merle Australian Mountain Doodles are either chocolate or blue merle with white, also adorned with a copper trim on their face, above the eyes, legs, and chest.
Coat
The coat of a Mountain Doodle can be straight, curly, or wavy, which is determined by the traits of the parent dogs.
Aussie Mountain Doodles are either non-shedding or low-shedding dogs. The straight-coated ones may shed a bit more than the curlier-coated ones, which tend to shed less.
Professional grooming every six to eight weeks is recommended to prevent painful mats or infections.
Energy levels
Australian Mountain Doodles have medium to high levels of energy. Both the Poodle and the Australian Shepherd are highly energetic dogs, but Bernese Mountain Dogs are more calm and mellow, giving the Aussie Mountain Doodle a calmer disposition.
An Aussie Mountain Doodle needs roughly 60 minutes of exercise per day.
Health Issues
Crossbreeds like Australian Mountain Doodles are prone to the same health issues their parent breeds face, which can include:
- Cataracts: A condition where the eye’s lens becomes cloudy, leading to vision impairment.
- Elbow/ hip dysplasia: Abnormal development of the joints, leading to pain and mobility issues.
- Epilepsy: A neurological disorder characterized by seizures or convulsions.
- Heart disease: A variety of conditions affecting the heart, such as arrhythmia, congestive heart failure, and valve disease.
However, the health of your dog largely depends on the breeder. It’s essential to find a breeder who tests the sires and dams for diseases before breeding them.
Lifespan
On average, an Aussie Mountain Doodle lives 12 to 15 years.
Grooming
Grooming an Aussie Mountain Doodle is a lot of work. As they’re low-shedding dogs, they need daily brushing and combing to ensure they don’t develop mats in their hair.
And their floppy ears require frequent cleanings—your vet will be able to let you know whether you should pluck the hair. Some vets recommend plucking while others recommend weekly ear cleanings.
Additionally, you should take an Aussie Mountain Doodle to the groomers every six to eight weeks.
Where to find an Australian Mountain Doodle puppy
Breeder
A reputable breeder will be your best bet for finding Australian Mountain Doodle puppies. When searching for breeders, make sure they:
- Health test the parents and can provide you with testing documentation from a vet
- Let you meet the parent dogs
- Have a contract for you to sign
- Screen potential buyers by asking them plenty of questions
- Answer any questions you have
- Provide you with detailed information on the breed
- Don’t overbreed their dogs
- Provide vaccination records and health garuntees
Rescue
As this dog is fairly specific and new, you’re unlikely to find one in a rescue. However, there are plenty of other Poodle mix dogs in shelters! I put together a list of the best Doodle rescues—I recommend going through the list to see if there are any in your area.
Price
The price of Australian mountain doodles varies based on the location and from where you get them. Reputable breeders charge anywhere between $1,500 to $4,000.
If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Low prices can indicate puppy mills and should be avoided.
Why you shouldn’t get an Aussie Mountain Doodle
If you’ve made it this far, you’re probably thinking the Aussie Mountain Doodle sounds like an incredible dog breed.
But no breed is perfect for everybody, which is why I’m going to list a few reasons you may want to reconsider the Aussie Mountain Doodle:
- They require lots of grooming to prevent mats. You shouldn’t get an Australian Mountain Doodle if you can’t commit to 30 minutes of brushing every other day.
- They aren’t 100% non-shedding. Being bred with two parent dogs that shed, there’s no guarantee that this dog breed will be non-shedding. If you need a non-shedding dog, it’s better to go for a dog like a Poodle.
- They need lots of mental enrichment. This smart pup needs families who can provide them with daily training and mental enrichment exercises to prevent anxiety and boredom.
If all of the above points sound good to you, then an Aussie Mountain Doodle could be the right dog for you!
Summary
The Aussie Mountain Doodle is a social dog that fits in perfectly with active families. When socialized properly, they get along well with children and other animals and thrive on human companionship!
Have you ever met an Aussie Mountain Doodle? Let us know what it was like in the comments!
This article may include affiliate links. www.travellingwithadog.com is a participant of Amazon.com Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchase. www.travellingwithadog.com participates in other affiliate programs, and recieves commissions when purchases are made through the links. The cost is not inflated to account for the commission earned.
Veterinary Disclaimer: travellingwithadog.com is not a substitute for veterinary advice and does not intend to provide any type of veterinary advice for your animals. Please consult your vet for any questions you have regarding your pets health.
About the Author:
Dana owns a Sheepadoodle and a rescue merle Labradoodle. Her first dog growing up was a white Toy Poodle and she’s loved dogs ever since. She has years of experience fostering dogs and has helped find homes for a variety of different breeds, both large and small! After seeing so many dogs end up unwanted and in shelters, she began blogging about different dog breeds (specifically Doodle dogs, since that’s what she knows best) to help people make informed choices when adding a new member to their family.
When Dana’s not brushing her Doodles’ hair (it takes a lot of time for two!) you can find her playing nose work games and fetch with her two amazing pups.
Learn more about her here.