Have you come across an Aussiedoodle and found yourself mesmerized by its captivating looks and charming demeanor? You’re not alone! The Aussiedoodle, a cross between an Australian Shepherd and a Poodle, has been stealing hearts worldwide. But a question often arises: Is an Aussiedoodle a hybrid dog? A designer dog? A crossbreed? Let’s dig into this terminology!
What is a Hybrid?
Technically, a hybrid dog is a dog crossed with another species, such as a Wolfdog (wolf + dog) or Coydog (Coyote + dog).
Aussiedoodles, of course, are the offspring of two dogs that are of different breeds. The purposeful breeding of two different dog breeds is called crossbreeding.
The term designer dogs has also often used since the 1990s when the breeding of doodles became popular.
However, you’ll often see the term hybrid widely used, even on Aussiedoodle breeder websites.
Whether termed hybrids, crossbreeds or designer dogs, all are mixed breed dogs although this term is most often used to identify dogs whose mixed heritage is created unintentionally.
Why Crossbreeds Have Become Popular
Crossbreeding aims to combine the best traits of both parent breeds.
Born from the cross between the intelligent and work-oriented Australian Shepherd and the hypoallergenic, intelligent Poodle, Aussiedoodles bring together an impressive mix of qualities. They often inherit the Poodle’s more hypoallergenic coat, making them a preferred choice for allergy sufferers.
From the Australian Shepherd, they gain a strong herding instinct and a playful, energetic personality.
Each generation has a different mix of Australian Shepherd and Poodle genetics, which affects their physical and behavioral traits. For example, F1 Aussiedoodles (50% Australian Shepherd, 50% Poodle) may exhibit a more balanced mix of traits from both breeds.
Benefits of Being a Crossbreed
Aussiedoodles, as crossbreeds, enjoy several benefits:
- Hybrid Vigor: They often exhibit hybrid vigor or heterosis, meaning they can be healthier and more robust than their purebred counterparts. This is because they may only inherit one copy of a gene for conditions and diseases commonly passed down by certain breeds.
- Temperament: They typically inherit the intelligence and trainability of both parent breeds, making them great family pets as well as service dogs and therapy dogs.
- Coat Variety: Aussiedoodles can have a range of coat types, from wavy to curly, and come in various colors.
The Disadvantages of Crossbreeding
Crossbreed dogs like Aussiedoodles rather than purebreds do have certain disadvantages which are important for potential dog owners to consider:
- Unpredictability in Traits: Crossbreeds often exhibit a wide range of traits, including size, coat type, temperament, and health issues. Unlike purebreds, whose characteristics are fairly predictable due to generations of selective breeding, crossbreeds can vary significantly even within the same litter. Good breeders will do genetic testing to help provide more information but there is still more variety than in purebreds.
- Health Concerns: While crossbreeds are often believed to be healthier than purebreds due to hybrid vigor, they can still inherit genetic health problems from either or both parent breeds. Potential owners should be aware of the health issues prevalent in both parent breeds.
- Lack of Breed Standards: Crossbreeds are not recognized by major kennel clubs, which means they do not have official breed standards. This lack of standardization can be a disadvantage for people who are looking for specific traits in their dogs, whether for companionship, work, or show purposes.
- Lack of Registration: AKC and other major kennel clubs do not register crossbreed dogs so you will not be able to compete in conformation dog shows, if this is important to you. Crossbreeds and all mixed breeds can be enrolled in AKC’s Canine Partners registry, however.
Whether a crossbreed or a purebred, it’s important to remember that every dog is an individual. Even within the same litter, puppies will have unique personalities. (As a comparison, think of the ways you and your siblings differ, even with the same parents and upbringing.)
And whether they’re called crossbreeds, hybrids or designer dogs, if they are a good fit for your lifestyle and home, the very best thing you can call an Aussiedoodle is “mine!”
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