It isn’t America’s most popular doodle blend, but the Australian Shepherd and Poodle could arguably be one of the best matches in a mixed breed. Both sides bring an affectionate temperament, impressive intelligence, and energy to the Aussiedoodle. The clever, playful, and low-shedding breed enhances the best qualities of its parents and is an excellent choice for a broad group of hopeful owners.

A carefully curated collection of traits isn’t cheap, however. Like many designer breeds, Aussiedoodles can be substantially more expensive than the average dog.

What’s the going rate today? We’ll help you budget for your next family dog by breaking down how much an Aussiedoodle costs to own in 2023.

Bringing Home a New Aussiedoodle: One-Time Costs

Aussiedoodles are available in Standard, Toy, and Mini sizes. As a designer dog, an Aussiedoodle of any size can be relatively expensive. Alongside the initial purchase, you’ll have supplies, vaccinations, IDs, and other considerations that can get pricey by themselves.

Depending on the shelter or breeder, your Aussiedoodle may already have several vital services behind them, saving you time and effort. Like other doodles, the filial generation and the breeder’s reputation and offerings will affect the cost and the peace of mind you receive knowing you’re acquiring a healthy, legitimate Aussiedoodle.

Free

Free Aussiedoodles are a rare find. You may be able to scour the internet for someone offering pups from an overflowing litter, but you should meet any offer like that with skepticism. Pedigree, health, and behavioral information are no less crucial with a free dog, especially a highly desirable pet like the Aussiedoodle. Scammers offering free puppies to steal information are also a potential issue online.

Adoption

$150–$600

Adoption is a wonderful gesture for a dog in need and the animal shelters caring for them. With many shelters reaching capacity, now is an excellent time to seek out an Aussiedoodle rescue.

Finding an Aussiedoodle is a crapshoot at the local shelter that likely requires excellent timing and a little bit of luck. Go online to check out specialized doodle rescue shelters locally or nationwide. Search for doodle, Australian Shepherd, or Poodle rescues. There will be tons of non-Aussiedoodle dogs to sift through, but this is a convenient and efficient way to find an amazing adoptable doodle.

Breeder

$600–$3,500

Breeders are the best place to go for an F1 or F1B Aussiedoodle. Prices vary based on several factors, such as location, the services provided with each puppy, and the breeder’s reputation.

Aussiedoodles typically cost $1,200–$2,500, with the most expensive running roughly $3,500–$4,000. Individual factors include age and coat color, with the Australian Shepherd’s defining merle patterns often being pricier.

You’ll generally need to apply and pay a non-refundable deposit of $150–$500 for an Aussiedoodle puppy from a reputable breeder. Be wary of low prices or breeders with limited information on their dogs. At a minimum, you should be able to view the sire and dam in person or on video and review DNA and health test results.

Initial Setup and Supplies

$300–$1,700

Before bringing your Aussiedoodle home, you’ll need supplies and certain services. Depending on the dog’s age and where you acquire them, the breeder or shelter will often manage some of these services for you. Most of these expenses are built into the final cost, so you can expect to spend a little extra on the dog while saving yourself from a few essential steps.

Your new Aussiedoodle will need an initial vet visit, vaccinations, microchipping, food, toys, and a litany of accessories. Alongside the cost of your dog, the initial setup and supplies to keep your dog happy and your home clean will cost at least a few hundred dollars.

List of Aussiedoodle Care Supplies and Costs

How Much Does an Aussiedoodle Cost Per Month?

$150–$800 per month

Aussiedoodles will be the most expensive during their first year, primarily because of the assorted vaccinations, boosters, and tests. Afterward, you’ll need to budget for monthly food, vet visits a few times, and obedience classes or boarding. Though light shedders, doodles have high-maintenance coats requiring regular care and at least a few grooming visits throughout the year.

A typical Aussiedoodle lifespan is roughly 10–13 years. When they’re adults, average monthly costs will start around $150 for the necessities and standard vet services. The size of your dog will affect the cost of food and certain medications, with larger dogs typically being more expensive.

Health Care

$50–$300 per month

Healthy dogs are typically inexpensive to care for from one month to the next, but you’ll have to budget for a few essential vet visits each year. Your Aussiedoodle will need flea and tick prevention and heartworm treatments every 1–12 months, depending on the product.

Otherwise, you can expect recurring vaccinations for concerns such as Bordetella, DHPP, and rabies. With rising dog flu cases, you may want to factor in the flu vaccine and booster, especially for a social Aussiedoodle. Although you won’t do a monthly vet visit, setting aside about $75 per month should cover most, if not all, of the routine care your dog should need during the year.

Food

$40–$80 per month

The monthly cost of food will primarily depend on the Aussiedoodle’s size. Mini and Toy Aussiedoodles will eat 1–2 fewer cups of food per day than a Standard, allowing you to stretch each bag a little longer. Any Aussiedoodle, regardless of age or size, will need high-quality dog food.

Your Aussiedoodle’s daily calorie intake and nutritional needs will change as they age. Puppies will have higher calorie needs for their size, while adult dogs will need a less frequent feeding schedule. Monitor for food intolerances when changing to a new diet. Talk with your vet about your Aussiedoodle’s health profile and age to plan a proper nutritional program.

Dental Cleaning

$10–$20 per month

Periodontal disease is common in adult dogs with poor dental care. While you should aim to brush your Aussiedoodle’s teeth a few times weekly, a professional cleaning will keep your dog’s teeth, jaw, and mouth in the best possible condition and help you avoid costly procedures later on.

A typical dental cleaning for an Aussiedoodle without anesthesia is an annual practice that will cost a few hundred dollars per visit. A monthly $20–$30 budget should cover a typical cleaning when the time comes. Teeth cleaning for smaller dogs may be easier and cheaper, but you may also need to visit the doggy dentist an extra time each year.

Grooming

$30–$100 per month

Although Aussiedoodles don’t have the same shedding habits as the Australian Shepherd parent, their Poodle side requires a lot of maintenance.

Grooming should take place every 1–3 months. With a professional doing the hair, nails, ears, and everything else involved in a complete grooming session, you can expect to pay about $50–$90 per visit.

At home, your Aussiedoodle will need brushing at least once weekly, though many often demand more frequent maintenance. Get a quality dog shampoo and a set of slicker brushes, combs, and pin brushes. The breeding background can affect your dog’s grooming needs. For instance, an F1 Aussiedoodle will have a wavy coat, while F1B and subsequent back-bred dogs will show more of a Poodle’s curly hair.

Medications and Vet Visits

$0–$150 per month

Aside from the annual vet checkups and vaccinations, budgeting an Aussiedoodle’s medications and unexpected visits can be challenging. A vet visit for an injury, accidental ingestion, or other emergencies can run $400–$1,500. Emergencies are unlikely with the necessary precautions, but one minor slip-up can quickly become a substantial financial burden.

A $1,000 emergency fund will cover many unexpected mishaps and maladies that might suddenly affect your dog. Meanwhile, annual blood work and exams are crucial in identifying the early stages of diabetes, cancers, and other diseases that come with age and cost several thousands of dollars to treat.

Pet Insurance

$7–$100+ per month

Pet insurance covers 75–100% of the vet bill during an emergency after you pay a deductible. In most instances, you pay upfront, and your insurer reimburses you. Some insurers also offer help with regular vet visits, dental care, behavioral treatment, and other health-related expenses. While it doesn’t replace an emergency fund, pet insurance is a low-cost, high-value way to protect your Aussiedoodle.

Environment Maintenance

$20–$50 per month

Aussiedoodles don’t create much of a cleaning issue, but a few tasks are essential in maintaining their area. For instance, pee pads can be beneficial during potty training, while items like poop bags for walks or enzyme cleaners for household accidents should always be handy.

Entertainment

$15–$100 per month

Aussiedoodles need their toys to satisfy the active minds they inherit from both sides of their parentage. Puzzle toys, games, and treats are critical in keeping them occupied. They’re not extremely powerful chewers, so you won’t have to keep replacing their toys. Still, a recurring subscription like BarkBox, at around $20–$30 per month, offers monthly toys and treats to keep their busy brains from becoming bored.

Total Monthly Cost of Owning an Aussiedoodle

$150–$800 per month

You won’t pay the same amount for your Aussiedoodle every month. Most months will primarily involve food, treats, toys, and cleaning supplies, which might cost about $50–$100 monthly.

Budgeting during the year to account for vet visits and unexpected costs is still crucial. You’ll have at least two vet visits annually, with one a bit pricier because of the annual tests. The first year is the most expensive, as you’ll have to deal with many one-time costs, including microchipping, desexing, and a household’s worth of supplies. After buying your Aussiedoodle, expect to spend at least $1,000 the first year.

Additional Costs to Factor In

You’ll have several randomly occurring costs surrounding your Aussiedoodle, dependent on your lifestyle, availability, and experience raising dogs. Dog-sitters and walkers may be necessary during busy work days, or you might board your pup for a few days when taking a trip.

As a blend of two highly active dogs, an Aussiedoodle is also a perfect candidate for agility training. You can do lessons at home or pay a professional anywhere from $10–$100+ per lesson.

Agility training can become a multi-week investment if you want your dog to excel in competitions. It’s up to you as to how far to take it. No matter what, skills training is an excellent opportunity to give your Aussiedoodle’s mind and body the stimulation they demand in a social environment, offering an enormous benefit to their overall well-being.

Owning an Aussiedoodle on a Budget

Aussiedoodles may only cost a few hundred dollars with some breeders and as much as $3,500 with others. While buying cheap can be tempting, your dog could have an uncertain pedigree, immediate health problems, or parents with genetic defects. Unless you can meet the parents, check testing results, and verify breeder certifications, you might pay less for the dog but spend more during its life for health care.

With the proper research, you’ll find dogs from reputable breeders at the lowest possible price. But shelters and specialty doodle rescues are also excellent resources following the pandemic. Adoption has slowed considerably, keeping more pets in shelters. Breeders are still your best bet, but there’s never been a better time to help a shelter and find the right dog for you.

Saving Money on Aussiedoodle Care

Conclusion

Acquiring and keeping an Aussiedoodle can get expensive, but it rarely has to be. Your dog doesn’t need the most expensive food or toys, and you can find savings on nearly anything they’ll need. The most crucial concerns are scheduled vet visits, training, diet and exercise, and socialization. With a little extra effort, you’ll save money and give your Aussiedoodle the most fulfilling life possible.

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Featured Image Credit: Steve Bruckmann, Shutterstock