The Blue Merle Aussiedoodle comes from crossing an Australian Shepherd with a Poodle, the same pairing behind every Aussiedoodle. Breeders in the U.S. started deliberately pairing the two in the late 1990s and early 2000s, aiming to combine the Aussie’s herding smarts with the Poodle’s low-shedding coat.
“Merle” describes their distinct coat pattern –tones or bands marbled or mottled with blue, gray, black, and white hues. Additionally, considering their hypoallergenic coat and intellectiveness, they highly cherish this designer breed.
As with every hybrid breed, the traits of a Blue Merle Aussiedoodle come in different forms based on the qualities inherited from his parent breed. In most cases, they are described as smart, social and friendly dogs that consistently require proper exercise and mental engagement.
They’re praised for their devotion and sweetness making them wonderful companions and often the perfect pet choice for families. Nonetheless, just like with any breed, you’d want to know all there is to know about this particular one before welcoming it into your living space.
It should also be noted that this breed is quite active, making them difficult to keep exclusively indoors or in confined spaces.
Expect to pay somewhere between $2,000 and $4,500 for a Blue Merle Aussiedoodle puppy from a breeder, with toy and mini sizes and especially vivid merle markings often landing at the top of that range. Adoption through a rescue is usually far cheaper, though blue merles turn up less often than solid colors. However you go about it, take the time to vet the breeder properly before you put down a deposit.
Regardless of the avenue trodden to acquire them, these dogs undertake abundant quality of affection, companionship, and loyalty for you and your family at home.
Blue Merle Aussiedoodle Qualities
A Blue Merle Aussiedoodle is a very bizarre variation of the Aussiedoodle breed. This cross-breed is known to be in size between an Australian Shepherd and a Poodle, as well as shape, type, and colour. The blue merle Aussiedoodle color pattern has a striking appearance, attracting many people.
The coat itself is the standout feature: silver-grey, black, and white patches mottled or marbled together in an irregular pattern, so no two dogs look quite alike. Noses are usually black, though a pink or mottled “butterfly” nose isn’t unusual on a merle dog. Coat texture ranges from a loose wave to a tight curl depending on how much Poodle influence shows up in that particular puppy.
The Blue Merle Aussiedoodle inherits the playful nature of both its parent breeds. They’re well-known for socializing and getting along with other children and pets.
Blue Merle Aussiedoodle’s physical appearance
Physically, Blue Merle Aussiedoodle are an offspring of the Australian Shepherd and the Poodle – two breeds developed over many years to work together as a team. They can be made in any height or weight, depending on how big their Poodle parent is.
Height and weight
Standard Blue Merle Aussiedoodles typically stand 14 to 23 inches tall and weigh 25 to 70 pounds, making them a solid medium-to-large fit for a house with a yard. Toy and mini versions, bred down using smaller Poodles, run considerably smaller — more on that below.
However, if your Aussiedoodle is bred on a Toy or Miniature Poodle, it will be much smaller in height and weight. The typical toy Aussie stands around 10 inches tall while weighing between 4 to 6 pounds whereas the Mini Aussies stand between 10 to 15 inches tall and weigh 10 to 15 pounds.
The largest size of a Standard Aussiedoodle is usually about 15 inches tall or taller and usually weighs around 40 to 70 pounds.
Coat and Eye Color
The Blue Merle Aussiedoodle is called such because of its unique color, as it is a mixture of silver, grey, black and white patches that give it a mottled or marbled look. As for their eye colors, there can be many variations. Blue merle is just one of several merle variations you’ll come across — if you’re weighing colors, our guide to the Red Merle Aussiedoodle is a good side-by-side comparison.
Blue Merle Aussiedoodles commonly have brown eyes, but it’s also possible for them to have blue eyes – many find them particularly striking. In some cases, their eyes may change color as they grow from puppy to adult–for example, they might start with blue eyes that later turn to brown.
Two different colored eyes – this is called heterochromia, and a perfectly healthy condition only adds to their appearance’s uniqueness.
Blue Merle Aussiedoodle Grooming
The Blue Merle Aussiedoodles, like all the Aussiedoodles, need to be groomed regularly to maintain their healthy coat and make them look good. They inherit the coat type from the Australian Shepherd, which may not be the Australian Shepherd’s straight or wavy fur or the Poodle’s tight curls.
Daily Grooming
Blue Merle Aussiedoodles need daily brushing to prevent matting and tangles, especially if their coat is more similar to their Poodle parent. If they have a wavier or straighter coat, similar to an Australian Shepherd, they may not need daily brushing but will still benefit from regular grooming.
Trimming
A Blue Merle Aussiedoodle’s hair should be trimmed every eight to twelve weeks. This can vary depending on the individual dog, how fast their hair grows, and how long the desired of their coat is.
Bathing. Your Blue Merle Aussiedoodle doesn’t need a bath more than once every four to six weeks, or whenever they get visibly dirty. Bathing too often strips the natural oils from their skin and coat, which can lead to dryness and irritation.
Ear and Nail Care. Wipe your Aussiedoodle’s ears out regularly with a damp cloth and dry them thoroughly afterward, trapped moisture is what leads to ear infections in floppy-eared breeds like this one. Trim the nails on a regular schedule too, since overly long nails can split, snag, and make walking uncomfortable.
Dental Care
Don’t skip dental care. Regular teeth brushing goes a long way toward preventing the plaque buildup and gum disease that are common in Aussiedoodles as they age.
Shedding. How much your Blue Merle Aussiedoodle sheds comes down to coat type. Dogs with tighter, Poodle-like curls shed less noticeably, since loose hair tends to get trapped in the curl instead of falling around the house. Dogs with a looser, wavier coat closer to the Australian Shepherd side will shed more visibly. Either way, no dog is truly hypoallergenic — allergy-prone owners can still react to a low-shedding dog’s dander and saliva, so it’s worth spending time with a Blue Merle Aussiedoodle before committing if allergies are a concern.
Crate size for your Blue Merle Aussiedoodle
The crate size for your Blue Merle Aussiedoodle should be based on the adult dog’s size. A full-grown standard Aussiedoodle typically fits well in a 42-inch crate. If you have a mini or toy Aussiedoodle, a smaller crate is more appropriate. Either way, make sure the crate gives your dog enough room to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably.
Health
As a general rule, Blue Merle Aussiedoodles are considered healthy dogs. They have an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years, which can be increased with proper care, diet, and regular exercise. Like all breeds, they deal with certain health conditions that may be inherited from their Australian Shepherd and Poodle parents.
Although being a hybrid doesn’t always lessen the probability of taking on specific health risks for breed-related diseases, ensure you’re aware of possible health problems. Blue Merle Aussiedoodles can be at risk to conditions including:
- Von Willebrand’s Disease: A blood coagulation disorder
- Epilepsy: A neurological disease that causes seizures
- Cushing’s disease: An abnormal condition caused by an overproduction of cortisol
- Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): The name given to a group of degenerative diseases affecting the retina in the eyes
- Hip dysplasia, where the hip joint doesn’t create correctly, causing arthritis, is common among many breeds, including Aussiedoodles.
See any change in your dog’s behavior, like limping, reluctance to move, or favoring one leg. Get veterinary advice right away. Regular vet check-ups will also catch health problems early on.
If you buy a Blue Merle Aussiedoodle later than the acquisition date provided by the breeder and there are any noticeable changes in your pup’s behavior, like limping: get your dog checked out at the vet as soon as possible. Regular riggings and checks will allow you to detect potential health issues before they become real problems.
Blue Merle Aussiedoodle Health: The Double Merle Risk
One health topic worth understanding before you bring home a Blue Merle Aussiedoodle is the difference between a merle dog and a “double merle” dog. A single copy of the merle gene is what gives your puppy that marbled blue-grey coat. Breed two merle-patterned dogs together, though, and some puppies in the litter can end up with two copies of the gene instead of one — a “double merle” — and that’s where real problems start. Double merle puppies have a much higher rate of deafness, blindness, and other eye defects such as microphthalmia, because the same gene that dilutes coat color also affects the cells responsible for hearing and sight.
A responsible breeder will never pair two merle dogs together, blue or otherwise — they’ll pair a merle parent with a solid-colored partner instead, which keeps the odds of a double merle litter at zero. It’s completely fair to ask a breeder directly what color both parents are before you put down a deposit. For more on how the gene works, the UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory has a good technical breakdown.
Temperament
Blue Merle Aussiedoodles are full of life. They’re typically friendly with children and other pets, making them the right choice for families. These guys love time cuddling but still enjoy an active lifestyle that includes running and hiking.
Because of their Australian Shepherd heritage, they might sometimes display herding behavior like nipping at heels. However, this habit can be controlled properly in a dog trained as early as possible until adulthood without any problem.
Exercise
Blue Merle Aussiedoodles are an excitable breed that likes to keep active mentally and physically to stay healthy and avoid destructive behaviors. They should spend about 45 minutes daily walking—with playtime and mental stimulation added twice daily. Add dog sports such as agility, which can provide physical and mental challenges.
Training
Preferably, training should start when your Aussiedoodle is around eight weeks old. Your first training should mostly focus on housebreaking and basic obedience. As smart dogs, Aussiedoodles are usually keen learners and don’t take long to respond well to positive reinforcement training methods. Socialization is also a factor here. It would help if you exposed your Blue Merle Aussiedoodle to various people, pets, and environments early on to become balanced dogs in the future.
Diet
Give your Blue Merle Aussiedoodle a balanced and healthy diet. Your dog’s overall health depends upon feeding them meals regularly. Usually, they will need to be fed 3 to 4 times a day until six months, after which they can take two meals throughout the day.
The quantity and kind of food your pooch needs may vary depending on their age, size, and activity level. Always go for high-quality dog foods, and ensure you’re always available with fresh water for your pet’s convenience.
Treats should only be part of a small portion of your dog’s daily caloric intake to prevent obesity. If you have any questions about your dog’s diet or nutritional needs, it is best to talk with a veterinarian.
Is a Blue Merle Aussiedoodle Right for You? Pros and Cons
The Upsides
- Highly trainable and eager to please, thanks to the Poodle side of the family
- Low-to-moderate shedding, which helps in allergy-sensitive households (though no dog is fully hypoallergenic)
- A striking, one-of-a-kind coat — no two blue merles are marked quite the same
- Affectionate and social with kids, other dogs, and visitors when socialized early
The Trade-offs
- Needs real daily exercise — not a great fit for a sedentary household
- Herding instinct can show up as nipping at heels or chasing if it isn’t redirected early
- Grooming is a real recurring time or money commitment
- The double merle health risk means careful breeder vetting matters more than usual
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in some cases. Breeding two merle-patterned dogs together — known as a “double merle” pairing — significantly increases the risk of vision and hearing problems in the puppies, which is why a responsible breeder will always pair a merle parent with a solid-colored, non-merle parent rather than two merles together.
The base merle pattern stays for life, though the overall coat may look slightly less vibrant as the puppy coat is replaced by the adult coat, and the individual patches often become more pronounced within the first one to two years.
Generally, yes. Merle patterning is in high demand among puppy buyers, so blue merle puppies typically cost several hundred dollars more than solid-colored littermates from the same breeder.
Conclusion
Blue Merle Aussiedoodles are striking with their original and brilliant appearance and pleasant personality. The many color variations they can develop in their blue eyes and friendly, outgoing nature make them popular with many families and individuals. In addition, Blue Merle Aussiedoodles are also known to be relatively easy to care for, making them great choices for seasoned dog owners and those looking to take up pet ownership.
Numerous images and reviews confirm the Blue Merle Aussiedoodle’s charm and attractiveness for those considering bringing one home. But before bringing one home, you must conduct research just as you would with any other pet. Ensure you are well aware of their dietary, activity, grooming, and disposition requirements.
References:
UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, “Merle”. American Kennel Club, “Australian Shepherd Dog Breed Information”.
