Do Aussiedoodles Shed? The Facts and Myths About Aussiedoodle Shedding
Photo courtesy of @deakon_thedood on Instagram.
Before you go through the exciting process of bringing home an Aussiedoodle puppy, you’ll want to know what to expect from this breed. Doing some simple research in advance helps to make sure an Aussiedoodle is the best fit for your family.
Whether or not Aussiedoodles shed is one of the most common misconceptions potential owners have about this breed. Let’s sort through the myths and learn exactly what to expect when it comes to Aussiedoodle shedding!
Do Aussiedoodles Shed?
While typically considered to be a low-shedding breed, you should still be prepared for an Aussiedoodle to shed at least minimally.
Shedding is never an exact science when it comes to mixed breeds like the Aussiedoodle. Since they’re a hybrid between a non-shedding breed and a shedding breed, some Aussiedoodles shed while others don’t.
How much your specific puppy will shed depends on a lot of factors, like their genetic makeup, their diet, and more.
Keep reading to learn why Aussiedoodles shed, situations that may cause your Aussiedoodle to shed more than normal, and our favorite tricks minimize shedding around your house!
Photo courtesy of @lakotaandlola on Instagram.
Why Do Aussiedoodles Shed?
Your Aussiedoodle may shed for a variety of reasons, some of which are normal and some of which may indicate they’re experiencing a health issue. Let’s learn more about each of these reasons!
Year Round Aussiedoodle Shedding
Shedding on its own is a natural behavior common in many mammals—even humans! As hair or fur grows, particles that are old die and fall out to make room for new, healthy strands.
You should only be concerned if you notice sudden or excessive shedding in your dog, which could indicate an underlying health problem.
When it comes to famously non-shedding breeds like the Poodle, their hair grows indefinitely, meaning that the actual hair shafts are more durable and fall out much less.
Many dogs, including Australian Shepherds (and therefore possibly your Aussiedoodle) shed more as the seasons change from warm to cold and vice versa.
This is because their coats react to the change in the air temperature and naturally become lighter or heavier in order to keep their body temperature regulated.
Photo courtesy of @ollietheaussiedoodler on Instagram.
When Do Aussiedoodles Shed Their Puppy Coat?
When puppies of any breed are born, their coats are noticeably different from those of their adult counterparts. It may be shorter, shinier, softer, straighter, or even a different color all together when compared to their parents.
Aussiedoodles are no exception, and you will no doubt notice some shedding as their puppy coat fades and their adult fur begins to grow in. Aussiedoodles begin to shed their puppy coat between the ages of 5 and 12 months.
Keep in mind, just because your puppy sheds their baby fur doesn’t mean they are going to shed as adults. Although it’s possible, you probably won’t be able to tell for sure if your dog is a seasonal shedder until they are about two years old.
If your adult Aussiedoodle is shedding much more than usual, it may mean something is wrong. Sudden, excessive shedding can be a sign of stress, allergies, or a more serious health issue.
If your dog is scratching excessively, licking their paws, has open sores, or has other signs of skin irritation, make an appointment with your veterinarian.
Additionally, I highly recommend Aussiedoodle owners get good pet insurance so that they’re not caught unprepared if any unexpected vet bills pop up. Healthy Paws is the company my doodle is covered by, and so far it’s paid for itself!
While there is no way of guaranteeing that an Aussiedoodle will be non-shedding until they are full-grown, the generation of your Aussiedoodle is often a good indicator of how likely they are to shed.
First generation Aussiedoodles possess 50% Poodle DNA and 50% Australian Shepherd DNA. Of course, these percentages are estimates so there is a chance your dog will look more like one breed than the other.
Due to the large percentage of Australian Shepherd genes in this generation, F1 Aussiedoodles are likely to shed at least a little. There are F1 Aussiedoodles that are fully non-shedding and also some that shed a lot. More than likely, your dog will be in the middle of this spectrum.
F1B Aussiedoodles
F1 Aussiedoodles are genetically closer to Poodles than Australian Shepherds. This is because they are typically a mix of an Aussiedoodle parent and a full-blood Poodle parent.
In theory, this means they have roughly 75% Poodle DNA, making them much less likely to shed than the F1 generation. That being said, there are still other generations with even less likelihood of shedding. So if allergies are a big problem for you, you may want to keep reading.
F1BB Aussiedoodles
F1BB Aussiedoodles are the generation most similar to a purebred Poodle in DNA. In theory, their DNA is 87.5% Poodle. This means they only have a hint of Australian Shepherd in them.
This may result in their appearance closely resembling a Poodle, but it also means that they are highly unlikely to be shedders. If you want an Aussiedoodle but but absolutely can’t tolerate shedding, an F1BB is probably the way to go.
F2 Aussiedoodles
If you are very worried about shedding, it’s best to steer clear of F2 Aussiedoodles. This is because their gene pool is very mixed and hard to predict.
F2B Aussiedoodles are very similar to the F1B generation in that they have more Poodle in them than Australian Shepherd.
F2B Aussiedoodles will shed less on average than F2 Aussiedoodles, although they are still more likely to shed than F2BB Aussiedoodles.
Dealing With Aussiedoodle Shedding
If you bring home an Aussiedoodle puppy, it’s best to assume that it’ll shed at least a little. If your dog ends up being non-shedding, that’s great! If they shed, at least you’ll be prepared!
Here are our best tips for keeping Aussiedoodle shedding to a minimum and best managing it if it does occur!
Brush & Bathe Frequently
Grooming is important to managing shedding because it can remove dead hair in a controlled way. Brushing helps distribute natural oils across your dog’s skins, which helps to reduce the likelihood of breakage.
Additionally, Aussiedoodle hair can get tangled and matted easily. Brushing your dog at least once a week will help to prevent this. Using a high-quality brush like the Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush will also work wonders compared to a generic brush you’d get at a local pet store!
Bathing is another very important to your Aussiedoodle’s grooming routine. While they don’t need a bath every day, or even every week, a monthly bath will can get rid of unwanted hair that brushing can’t remove.
De-shedding shampoo can be a helpful addition to your dog’s bath. A brand that’s all-natural like Burt’s Bees Shed Control Shampoo is a favorite of mine since it has puppy-friendly, all-natural ingredients that are kind on sensitive skin.
Just like people, dogs need a good balance of vitamins and minerals to stay healthy. This balance will also keep their hair strong and shiny, and can stop any unnatural shedding.
A good diet for you Aussiedoodle should be well-balanced, and possibly even supplemented with things like omega-3 fatty acids, which can help with healthy hair growth. However, you should always consult your veterinarian before adding additional vitamins or supplements to your pet’s diet.
It’s also important to keep your Aussiedoodle hydrated. Water keeps the skin hydrated and healthy, which leads to reduced shedding. A good rule of thumb is that dogs should generally consume around one ounce of water for every pound they weigh.
Buy a Vacuum Specifically Made for Pet Hair
If your Aussiedoodle sheds, you can manage it but it’s impossible to totally stop it. That’s why it can be helpful to have a vacuum designed specifically to clean pet hair. This will keep your home as free from hair and allergens as possible.
Trust me, there will be a significant difference between that and a generic, low-cost vacuum cleaner. Here are a few highly-rated options to consider…
Purchase an Air Purifier
Did you know that if you’re allergic to pets, an air purifier can help you control your symptoms? Just like with pollen, pet’s dander can float unseen through the air and cause your eyes to water and lots of sneezing and coughing.
An air purifier, like one of these top-rated choices, can help!
Final Thoughts
After reading this article, you now know the answer to “do Aussiedoodles shed?” as well as what to do if it does occur.
At the end of the day, it comes down to selecting a dog with the best odds of being non-shedding and then preparing for the “worst case scenario” should your dog still shed.
If you’re still concerned about shedding in this breed, there are other completely hypoallergenic poodle mixes to consider. Breeds like the Schnoodle, the Whoodle, and the Maltipoo have two non-shedding parents so you won’t have to worry about them shedding at all!
