A-z - Animals

Australian

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Aussiedor is a crossbreed of Australian Shepherd and Labrador Retriever. This is an intelligent, friendly, and affectionate crossbreed.

They are very athletic dogs, making them great hiking and running companions. They also make excellent therapy dogs. Australian Shepherds bred from Miniature Australian Shepherds share many characteristics with their larger cousins, but are smaller in size. Pet dogs of any breed are ideal for families, and because they are cross breeds, they tend to have fewer health problems than other breeds.

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Australian-1

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History of the breed

The Aussiedor is another fairly new breed. The Australian Shepherd (though its name actually originates in Europe) and Labrador Retriever cross, bred in Newfoundland, has been America's most popular dog breed for more than 30 years. The Australian Shepherd was originally a Pyrenees sheepdog before being perfected in the American West to become the parent breed we see today. The Labrador Retriever was originally bred in the 1800's as retrieving dogs for hunters and fishermen.

3 Pros and Cons of Owning Aussiedors

advantage! shortcoming!
They are great family dogs! Australians like to be with their people. They are very social, very loving dogs who bond with their owners and families. They shed a lot. Aussiedors produce a lot of hair and they are not hypoallergenic dogs. Constant grooming is required to reduce the amount of hair they produce.
Their risk is pretty low when it comes to health problems! Because they are a crossbreed, Aussiedor breeders have more Labrador Retrievers and Australian Shepherds to choose from when breeding puppies. Because of this, the gene pool is broader and Australians are less likely to inherit health problems from their parents. They are prone to separation anxiety. Australians can become very anxious when they are alone due to the close bond they have with their families.
They most likely have herding instincts. Since their parents are Australian Shepherds, Australians often have a strong desire to herd. This makes them great companions for farmers or people with small herds of other animals Poor watchdog. Australians would rather greet strangers at the door than guard their homes against them. Due to their easy-going and social nature, they don't make very good watchdogs.
Portrait of a black Australian Shepherd and Labrador mix dog sitting on a white background
Australians have a strong desire to herd.

©Michael Geyer/Shutterstock.com

size and weight

Depending on whether the parents are miniature Australian Shepherds, Australian Shepherds are small to medium-sized dogs as adults. They can be heavier like a Labrador or leaner like an Australian Shepherd.

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female height 18-23 inches
male height 20-25 inches
female weight 40-70 lbs adult
male weight 50-80 lbs adult

common health problems

Due to the wide selection of gene pools in the two parent breeds, the risk of many health problems in Australian dogs is relatively low. They may inherit hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia, but the risk of this developing is low. Autoimmune thyroiditis is a possible immune system disorder in which the dog will require medication for most of its life, but again the risk is low. The Australian Shepherd portion of the Aussiedor lineage may inherit the possibility of cataracts, in which case the dog will suffer from impaired vision or may become completely blind. This can be treated, but at a price of $2000-3000 per eye.

Your Australian Health and Recreation

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In summary, the three most common health concerns for Australians are:

  • Hip/Elbow Dysplasia
  • autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cataracts/Blindness

temperament

Beautiful large Labrador Retriever mix and Australian Shepherd Aussiedor, in the studio
Aussidors are most likely to form close bonds with certain family members and may develop separation anxiety.

©Sylvie Bouchard/Shutterstock.com

Aussidors are kind, loyal, gentle, and friendly. They are likely to form close bonds with certain family members. However, this means they can become attached to their owners and often develop separation anxiety. They are also high energy breeds. Australians may destroy household items or exhibit unwelcome behavior if they do not exercise properly. Often this can be alleviated with a moderate amount of exercise as well as some specialized training when the dog is young.

Aussidors are intelligent and kind. They can be taught a variety of tricks as they aim to please. Aussiedor puppies will quickly learn not to bite or chase children while playing.

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How to care for an Australian

Due to their shedding habits, anxious and energetic nature, Aussies require moderate care and attention from their owners. The reward for doing this, however, is a devoted companion who will love being part of the family.

The best dog food for Australians

Labrador Australian Shepherd mix dog, Aussidor, panting, isolated on white
Adult Australians are prone to bloating, so be sure to let them eat slowly.

© Eric Isselee/Shutterstock.com

As a relatively hearty breed, the Aussie is likely to live a long and healthy life on any quality dog food. The diet of these energetic dogs can also be improved with a nutrient-dense frozen diet containing raw vegetables and meat.

Our recommendation here at AZ Animals is Instinct Freeze Dried Raw Grain Free Dog Food.

This balanced food provides Australians with protein to boost their activity levels. It is minimally processed for maximum nutrient absorption to support coat and skin, muscles, bones and digestion.

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Best for Sensitive Dogs

Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain Free Formula with Real Lamb Freeze Dried Raw Dry Dog Food

  • The limited-ingredient formula includes only one animal protein and one vegetable and is suitable for pets with food sensitivities.
  • Made with grass-fed lamb, an easy-to-digest protein that provides all the essential amino acids your dog needs.
  • Guaranteed levels of natural omegas and antioxidants promote healthy skin and hair, as well as immune health.
  • Made in the USA using premium ingredients from around the world, each product contains pure raw nutrition.
  • Contains no grains, dairy, eggs, chicken, beef, fish, sweet potatoes, potatoes, chickpeas, corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors or preservatives.

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Puppy Dog Food : Puppies need protein and healthy fats, so make sure real meat is a top ingredient in any food you buy for your Aussiedor puppy. Ask your veterinarian which dosage is best for your dog.

Adult dog food : Adult Australian dogs need three to four cups of dog food a day. These dogs are prone to bloating, so a bowl that encourages slow eating may be ideal.

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Maintenance and Grooming

Both the Labrador Retriever and the Australian Shepherd are heavy shedding breeds, and the Australian Shepherd can sometimes be worse than either of them! They require consistent grooming to keep their hair neat, and they're not hypoallergenic.

These dogs should be brushed at least once a week, but may need to be brushed every few days when their shedding is at its peak. The specific grooming method depends on whether the puppy inherits more of an Australian coat or more of a Lab coat.

train

Aussiedor puppy close-up
Positive reinforcement is the best training for your Aussie.

© CulmSee-Axel-acad.2161 / CC BY-SA 4.0 – License

Aussiedors are very intelligent dogs and can be well trained. Positive reinforcement is very important to the training of these dogs. However, since they are so intelligent, they can be stubborn at the beginning of training. They absolutely love to eat, so this goes a long way in teaching them good habits. Owners should start training at an early age.

exercise

Aussiedors are very energetic dogs that need a lot of exercise. They can easily run and play for hours on end. The open fields are suitable for them to run, which is very suitable for farm life.

It is important to keep your Aussiedor exercising properly. If they have too much pent-up energy, they can become destructive. Take your dog for a hike, run, or just play some games of fetch. Their favorite form of exercise is one that involves the family.

puppy

Make sure you get these dogs from a reputable breeder, as many puppy mills will try to sell Aussies. The cost of a puppy depends on where you adopt it from. A rescue can cost anywhere from $100-500, while a puppy from a breeder can cost up to $1000. Make sure to thoroughly research the breeder's reputation and ask about the health of the parents before buying a puppy.

Australian
Make sure to get your dog from a rescue or a reputable breeder.

© CulmSee-Axel-acad.2161/Creative Commons – Licensed

Australians and children

These dogs are great for taking kids! They may try to "gather" young children because they will see them as part of a "flock." They are easily trained not to chase or bite children. Eventually, they'll get along just fine with their kids.

dog similar to an australian

  • Labrador Retriever – One of two breeds used to create the Australian Setter, these social and loving dogs contribute to the loving personality of the Australian Setter. The fact that they come in black, brown and yellow adds to the color variety of Aussiedors. They do, however, lack the herding instincts of the Australian.
  • Australian Shepherd – These dogs come in both regular and miniature sizes. They love to herd and are energetic, but they are a little more suspicious of strangers than Australians.
  • Goldador – These dogs are another crossbreed developed from the Labrador Retriever. They are also medium-sized dogs with lovely personalities and a lot of intelligence. They will also be less than Aussiedor.

Popular names for these dogs are:

  • luna
  • Cooper
  • Bella
  • Charlie
  • Bear

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The cost of Aussiedor depends largely on where you are adopting from. Rescue puppies can cost $100-500, while Aussiedors from breeders can cost up to $1000. After that, the dog's cost will vary based on their individual needs and whether they have any costly health issues. They may also need to visit a groomer if they have inherited a longer Australian Shepherd coat.

Aussiedors cost about $100 to $500 from a rescue. From the breeder, the price can be anywhere from $800 to $1000.

Yes! Aussiedors are great companions for families with children.

The average Australian lives to be 10-12 years without any major health problems.

Expect $100-$500 for a rescue and up to $1000 for a breeder.

Aussiedors do shed and should be groomed regularly to help reduce the amount of hair that can be scattered around the house.

Aussiedors are small to medium sized dogs that can grow up to 25 inches tall.