Technically, Blue Merle Aussiedoodles should be black merles. They are called blue merle due to the bluish hue in their coat.Their eyes can be blue or brown and they have a black nose pigment. Without the merle gene, this dog would be completely black. Regardless of their color, Blue Merle Aussiedoodles are great with other pets and children.
They are easy to handle, making them a good option for first-time dog owners. You only need to make sure that your Blue Merle Aussiedoodle gets enough exercise.
They need 30 minutes to 1 hour of exercise daily. This breed is perfect for active people. There’s a smaller size of Blue Merle Aussiedoodles that is ideal for apartment dwellers.
This breed has a high energy level and can’t be contained indoors. Blue Merle Aussiedoodles will need a lot of exercise regardless of where they live. Also this breed is quite expensive. Puppies can cost anywhere from $2300 to $10,000. If you are not willing to spend such an amount, you can try to adopt one from a local shelter or rescue facility.
Blue Merle Aussiedoodle Appearance
How your Blue Merle Aussiedoodle will look depends on the traits he inherits from his parents. They can be 14″ to 23″ tall and weigh around 25 lbs to 70 lbs. Toy Aussiedoodles are only 10″ tall and weigh between 4 lbs and 6 lbs. Standard Aussiedoodles weigh between 40 lbs and 70 lbs and are 15″ tall. Mini Aussiedoodles are 10″ to 15″ tall and weigh between 10 lbs and 15 lbs.
The color of their eyes can vary. Your Blue Merle Aussiedoodle could have brown eyes. It is also possible for his eyes to be blue at first and become brown when he grows up. If he inherits the traits of the Australian Shepherd parent, both of his eyes could be blue. Another possibility is having 1 blue eye and 1 brown eye.
This breed can have the curly tail of the Poodle or the cropped tail of the Australian Shepherd.
Nutrition for Blue Merle Aussiedoodle
Talk to the vet about how much food you should give your Blue Merle Aussiedoodle. Dogs of this breed need to eat 3 times daily until they are 6 months old. Give your pet only high quality dog food. You also need to make sure that your dog has access to fresh water all the time.
Blue Merle Aussiedoodle Temperament
Blue Merle Aussiedoodles are fun, loyal, affectionate and smart. They love doing various activities with their family members, which makes them excellent companion dogs. Your dog can hike or run with you and he also likes to cuddle. They are great with other pets and children.
However, their energy level can be overwhelming for some people. If they don’t get enough exercise, they will become destructive. Blue Merle Aussiedoodles are more capable of retaining, understanding and processing information than most breeds.
They may nip sometimes due to their Australian Shepherd heritage. However, it is more of a push. Blue Merle Aussiedoodles can be trained to not show such behavior.
Blue Merle Aussiedoodle Training
You can start training your Blue Merle Aussiedoodle when he is 8 weeks old. Pups may be preoccupied with other things, but he is ready to learn new things. Start with potty training by taking him to a specific spot at the same time every day. This breed loves to please, so obedience training will be easy. You want to limit his inclination to herd.
When he does something right, praise him and give him a reward. Just don’t overdo it because Aussiedoodles can easily gain weight. This breed is good at deciphering tone and reading body language, so you should send the right message. Otherwise, his feelings will get hurt.
It is also important to socialize them early. Blue Merle Aussiedoodles get along well with other pets and people, but you want to make sure that they are doing it properly. They shouldn’t nudge, nip or herd other animals or people.
Exercise
You want your Blue Merle Aussiedoodle to release his energy in a constructive way. This breed will not be happy or healthy if he is not exercised properly. He will let you know about it by showing destructive behavior. Two 45-minute walks will be enough for your dog. Physical activity is also needed in between.
Blue Merle Aussiedoodles will benefit from agility exercises and games. This breed should be mentally active, so give him brain games.
Blue Merle Aussiedoodle Health
This breed is generally healthy and can live for 10 to 12 years, provided that they are cared for properly. However, they’re at risk for various health problems that they may inherit from their parents. Since they are a hybrid, they are less susceptible to actually developing these health problems. There are more risks, but the possibility of getting them is low.
One of the most common conditions that Blue Merle Aussiedoodles can suffer from is hip dysplasia. This is a condition wherein the dog develops a deformed hip joint due to environmental factors or heredity. If you see your dog using one leg more often or limping or that he can’t walk at all, you should take him to the vet for a check-up and proper diagnosis.
This breed may also suffer from pancreatitis, Von Wilebrand’s Disease, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, epilepsy and Cushing’s Disease.
Blue Merle Aussiedoodle Grooming
If your blue merle Aussiedoodle inherited the coat of his Poodle parent, you have to brush him every other day. You also need to trim his hair every eight to twelve weeks. This breed needs to be bathed regularly.
Their nails should be clipped as well. Clean their ears with a damp cloth and dry them afterward. You should also brush their teeth. This breed may have the wavy or straight, waterproof and medium length Australian Shepherd coat or the curly and soft coat of the Poodle.
An Aussiedoodle with tight curls is the best type when it comes to shedding. The tight curls will keep their hair in place. Blue merle Aussiedoodles with a wavy coat don’t shed much but those with a straight coat are the worst when it comes to shedding.
Crate Size
Adult Aussiedoodles should get a 42-inch crate. A smaller crate may be possible if you have a smaller Aussiedoodle.
