Aussiedoodle Grooming

Aussiedoodles, as hybrids of an Australian Shepherd and a Poodle, can have some coat variety--but in mixes where one parent is a Poodle, the genes for the Poodle coat are dominant. This means a majority of Aussiedoodle coats are more Poodle-like, and will thus need a good bit of grooming. A few Aussiedoodles have straight, thick, double-layered coats like the Aussie Shepherd (and have fewer grooming needs), but "Poodle-esque" coats are most common.

Here you'll find more details on caring for your Aussiedoodle's coat, including plenty of info on brushing and bathing. You can also learn about popular Aussiedoodle hairstyles. For answers to your questions about Aussiedoodle grooming, keep reading!

Usually, Aussiedoodle grooming is fairly time-consuming. Since most of these hybrids' coats favor their Poodle parents, they'll need a lot of the same coat care as Poodles. If the dog has a straighter, thicker coat like the Aussie Shepherd, however, grooming an Aussiedoodle won't be as involved--though the coat will likely be double-layered and shed more (especially during the spring and fall shedding seasons).

Brushing these hybrids will generally be necessary 3-4 times per week; Shepherd-type coats will only need brushing once or twice weekly (but daily during shedding season).

These dogs aren't really known for their "doggy odor," so baths will only be needed every couple of months. Make sure when bathing your Aussiedoodle that you use canine shampoo (instead of the kind made for humans, which has a different pH), and that you rinse the shampoo completely. Not doing both these things will irritate the dog's skin.

Unless the dog's coat is more Shepherd-like, haircuts will be necessary every month or two to keep the coats in good shape. And though owners can learn how to fulfill all these hybrids' grooming requirements themselves, most people take their Aussiedoodles to professional groomers for major tasks like bathing and haircuts. In any case, it's a good idea to take your Aussiedoodle to a pro at least once. The groomer can give the dog a nice makeover, and provide tips on how to groom an Aussiedoodle at home.

In most cases, Aussiedoodles need frequent brushing (3-4 times per week, if not daily). For dogs with coats more like the Aussie Shepherd, once or twice a week is fine--but daily brushing will be necessary during shedding season.

The best brush for Aussiedoodle dogs with "Poodle-esque" coats is a slicker brush; for Shepherd-type coats, a pin brush is preferred. Regardless of the dog's coat type, a greyhound comb will be good to have on hand as well.

How to brush an Aussiedoodle: first wet the coat with water mist from a spray bottle. Then starting at the shoulders, go through the coat section by section with the slicker or pin brush, moving in the direction of hair growth. If you encounter a tangle or mat, first try working it out with your fingers, then continue working through it with the end teeth of the comb.

Unless your Aussiedoodle's coat is "Shepherd-esque"--in which case no haircut is needed--numerous Aussiedoodle haircuts are possible. Here are a few popular Aussiedoodle cut styles:

• Puppy Cut: A very low-maintenance style. The entire coat is clipped short, to 1-2 inches. Some prefer to leave the hair on the face, ears, and legs a bit longer. Can be done at home with some practice.
• Lion Cut: This creative style has your Aussiedoodle looking like the King of the Jungle! The hair on the head, face, neck, chest, front of the torso, and front legs are left at full length; the rear of the torso, hind legs, and tail are clipped short. A rounded "pom" is usually sculpted on the end of the tail (and often on the bottoms of the legs too). Best done by a groomer.
• Teddy Bear Cut: This style is similar to the Puppy Cut, but the hair on the legs and face is carefully sculpted and rounded to make the dog resemble an adorable stuffed animal. Probably best done by a groomer.
• Town and Country Cut: A very stylistic look. This cut sees the hair on the torso clipped short, but the legs are shaped in a cylindrical pattern. The hair on the head, ears, and tail is teased out and rounded. Definitely needs a groomer's touch.