Icelandic Sheepdog is originated from Iceland but Aussie Doodles is originated from United States. Both Icelandic Sheepdog and Aussie Doodles are having almost same height. Icelandic Sheepdog may weigh 17 kg / 37 pounds lesser than Aussie Doodles. Both Icelandic Sheepdog and Aussie Doodles has almost same life span. Both Icelandic Sheepdog and Aussie Doodles has almost same litter size. Both Icelandic Sheepdog and Aussie Doodles requires Moderate maintenance.
There are quite a few different dog breeds that fall under the name of Spitz-type dogs, and in fact they have a number of similar characteristics, one of which is that they have some wolf-like features. They typically have the thick coat with undercoat and the erect, pointed ears and slanted eyes.
There is definitely a strong link between the Spitz type dogs and wild wolves. The tail too is feathery and can curl over the back of the dog.
The Icelandic Sheepdog, a native dog to Iceland, is a Spitz type dog which originates from the dogs brought to Iceland by the Vikings. The dogs have always been used to herd sheep, and they resemble dogs found in graves in Sweden and Denmark.
The dog at one time was facing extinction in the late 20th century, but in 1969, the Icelandic Dog Breeder Association was established to restore and preserve the breed. The Icelandic Sheepdog gained AKC recognition in June 2010.
It is interesting to note that the Australian Shepherd doesn’t have much in common with the land ‘down under’. The dog has always been a popular companion dog in the United States as a working dog. As a hybrid, the Aussiedoodle is a new breed that doesn’t have a detailed history, but it is worth taking not that the 2 breeds that have been used to create the Aussiedoodle do have long histories each.
It is believed that the name of the Australian Shepherd is because the ancestors of the dog arrived from Australia in the United States and were named from where their ancestors previously resided. The Aussiedoodle has only emerged on the scene in the last 10 years and is becoming hugely popular. The breed isn’t recognized by the American Kennel Club but are recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club.
The Icelandic Sheepdog is a smallish to medium sized dog standing at 40 to 45cm in height and he can weigh anything between 9 and 14kg.
His double coat can be short or long, straight or wavy and in a mix of colors such as grey and white or tan and white, black, tan and white, cream or chocolate. Even though they come in a number of predominant colors, these colors are always accompanied by white markings.
He has a longish muzzle, much like the wolf, giving him an alert, foxy appearance. He has a muscular, rectangular body with strong, straight legs with dewclaws on both the front and hind legs.
Your social, energetic dog will require socialization and training which does him the world of good, turning him into a well-adjusted, obedient dog.
He is an intelligent dog, and training him won't be difficult as he is eager to please. These are social dogs which love being part of the family and they don't like being left outside day after day with little human intervention. He is a lively, confident breed, gentle and not at all aggressive.
The Australian Shepherd was bred to herd livestock together, and with the Aussiedoodle, you’ll still sometimes see this trait, and he may well try to herd his human family into the car. The Aussiedoodle can’t always be expected to look the same as they come in many sizes and shades of colour, some leaning more towards the Poodle and others more towards the Australian Shepherd. He is a medium- to large sized dog with a strong-boned, muscular structure.
The coat of the Aussiedoodle can differ somewhat, with most having wavy or curly hair while others have fairly straight hair. The dogs are available in many different colours, from solids to patterned and in shades such as black, grey, silver and blue merles. Size can vary too, depending on whether the Aussiedoodle had a miniature or standard poople involved with the pairing.
The Aussiedoodle is exceptionally clever and also very energetic. This dog breed will require training, socialization and exercise. Training an Aussiedoodle is easy as you will see he is eager to please.
The Aussiedoodle loves his family and this isn’t a dog that can be left outdoors all day on his own. He is lively and energetic, and left too long on his own, he can become bored and destructive. This hybrid makes the perfect pet for families with kids, with no aggressive tendencies. He can also be introduced to other pets in the home as he is a friendly, amicable breed who wants to please.
The Icelandic Sheepdog is such a good all-round family pet. He is alert, intelligent, social, playful, loyal, loving and brave.
He is friendly too, getting on well with children and any pets you have in the home. He is essentially a working dog, so you shouldn’t think of owning him as a pet if your lifestyle is centered around the TV and the couch for the best part of the day.
This is an energetic dog who wants lots of action during the day. He is a dog that badly wants to be part of the family and in exchange for looking after him well, he’ll promise to be an exceptional pet.
The Aussiedoodle is an intelligent, outgoing, patient and devoted family pet who will happily slot into any home where there are children and other pets.
Most Aussiedoodles love being active and you’ll want to include him in all your activities – walking, swimming, ball games and herding.
Yes, it is true that the temperament of your Aussiedoodle will depend on the canine parents but he will also be influenced by your lifestyle and environment too.
Your pet will reach 12 to 14 years of age with good care and is regarded as a generally healthy dog breed. However, they can be prone to a few health conditions, and these include hip dysplasia and diabetes.
Mercifully for your pet, diabetes is considered a manageable disorder. When your pet doesn’t produce insulin or can’t utilize it normally, his blood sugar levels rise, resulting in hyperglycemia.
If left untreated, your pet can land up with a host of complicated health problems. Diabetes can be classified as either Type 1 or Type II, with the more common form in dogs being Type 1.
As with most mixed-breeds, Aussiedoodles are a healthy breed, and your pet won’t come with any hereditary ailments. Both Australian Shepherds and Poodles have few inherent diseases, and by mixing the two, you get a robust breed.
Having said that, you always have to be aware that any dog, including your Aussiedoodle can inherit certain health problems of both the Poodle and the Australian Shepherd.
The Australian Shepherd is susceptible to vision problems and some health problems with the Poodle include epilepsy, renal disease and cancer, but in spit of this, the good news is that there aren’t many documented health issues with Aussiedoodles.
Always research and find a reputable breeder of Aussiedoodles who has certificates that the parents are sound and free from common health defects. Make sure that you get your puppy vaccinated from 8 weeks of age to avoid the common, deadly canine diseases that can rob you of your puppy. The very first vaccination will be for distemper, measles and parainfluenza.
Feed your energetic Icelandic Sheepdog a diet which is appropriate for his age and activity level. Don't just feed him the best commercially manufactured dog food, but give him some cooked chicken, brown rice and vegetables mixed into his kibble as a tasty treat. Also, dogs are carnivores, so include some raw meat into his diet from time to time. Clean, cool water should always be available.
The Icelandic Sheepdog has a thick double coat, with the outer coat being longer and the hair being shiny and glossy. These dogs shed quite a bit with seasonal shedding too so twice-weekly brushing will be necessary to keep the fur free of loose hair. His nails should also be checked regularly and his teeth should be brushed a couple of times a week too.
Icelandic Sheepdogs are athletic, active dogs that require a lot of exercise to keep them in good physical shape.
He loves all kinds of games and outdoor activities, one of which will be going with you for a walk every day. He makes a wonderful companion for those people going on long hikes.
The coat of Aussiedoodles need minimal maintenance. This is because of the Poodle input which is a low shedding dog. Aussiedoodles shed very little, but you will still need to give your dog a regular brush every other day to remove loose hairs and to also prevent matting. You can even include some professional grooming as his thick coat can quickly look dirty and unruly.
Brush the teeth of your Aussiedoodle with special dog brushes and toothpaste to prevent plaque forming. You can also book an appointment at your local vet to have his teeth cleaned if you are reluctant to do it. it.
An Ausiedoodle under 6 months of age should be fed 3 or 4 times daily. Once your Aussiedoodle is 1 year of age you can cut the meals down to 1 or 2 meals a day.
Always select high quality foods and understand the labels and ingredients. Cheaper foods with ‘bad’ ingredients can mean more medical bills because of malnutrition.
Speak to your vet about feeding your Aussiedoodle. You can also prepare cooked meals for your dog and include chicken, meat, rice and vegetables. Remember this is a high energy dog and he will require foods high in protein to meat his daily energy and nutritional requirements.