Do you know why you should opt for hybrid dogs, such as an Aussie Doodle? If you do not know, hybrid dogs do not carry the recessive genes that their purebred parents had. The recessive genes cause hereditary and congenital diseases. When you mix dog breeds, the recessive genes get buried.
An Aussie Doodle dog is an example of a perfect hybrid. Let us discuss in detail about the Aussie.
What is an Aussie Doodle?
Aussie Doodles come from crossbreeding a poodle with an Australian shepherd. One of the best qualities that the doodles inherit from their parents is being loyal, intelligent, and playful.
You can also call your Aussie Doodle dogs Aussie poos, Einsteins, or Aussie Poodles. There are so many nicknames that dog lovers give their Aussies. If your home can provide a lot of attention and space to dogs, you should get an Aussie.
The Breed Characteristics of the Aussie Doodle- an Overview
- Breed size: Large, 61-100 lbs. (27.45-45 kg)
- Good with: Families, children, seniors, and dogs
- Temperament: Willful, outgoing, playful, friendly, and gentle
- Intelligence: High
- Shedding frequency: Seasonal
- Need for exercises: High
- Energy level: Active
- Barking level: When necessary
- Drool potential: Low
- Coat length and texture: Medium, long, and curly
- Colors: Gray, red, black, fawn, cream, white, brown, chocolate, brown, liver
Why Breed Characteristics Matter
Breed Size
Do you know why the Aussie Doodle size matters? If you have never given it a thought, it is time to expound on why the size of a canine matters. Of course, people hold different opinions on the importance of the size of a dog, but what do you need to know?
One of the reasons why the size of a dog matter is that size determines the smartness of a dog. Notably, large dogs follow cues from their human companion better than shorter dogs. Also, larger breeds have wider eyes that give them better depth perception. So, when one points to a specific direction, larger dogs discern the instruction better than smaller breeds.
The other importance of knowing the breed size of a dog is that the space between the eyes of a dog matter. According to a research study that Helton and his team did, large dogs make the right choice better than smaller sizes. The research also tested the hypothesis that large dogs are better at following cues than small dogs.
From the discussion on obeying cues, training a large dog is easier than training a smaller dog. There is a high probability that a small dog will remain sitting even after a trainer points to a specific direction for action.
You should also know that dogs with a short snout can give a powerful bite than the ones with a long snout.
Good With (Sociability)
Many dog owners, especially beginners, think that their dog will play along with other dogs and everyone. However, it is not always the case. As a reminder, you are not a darling to everyone. So, dogs also act the same.
It is rare to find a highly social adult dog. Most dogs lie between tolerance and selective ranges. So, a dog is never too friendly to other dogs or too picky. For this reason, you will find your dog getting along with some dogs and acting with reservation towards other dogs.
To learn whether your dog is social, you need to understand its language. If you do so, you will notice when your dog feels uncomfortable before it is too late.
Notably, some dogs love human company more than the company of other dogs. So, you should know that it is alright for your dog to be hostile towards almost every dog that it meets.
Overall, your role is to support your dog to become social or intervene when it feels uncomfortable among strangers. You should help your dog to have positive dog-dog interactions. If you do so, then you will reduce the worrying social behaviors of your dog.
When your dog tries every way to show that it does not approve of some people or pets, it resorts to barking and lunging as the last option. If you intervene before the reactions, you will help your dog remain calm when amidst any stranger. Your dog will also trust that you will intervene whenever necessary.
Temperament
The temperament of a dog refers to its natural reaction to the world around it. It is an inherent trait that it maintains from its birth unless trained to do otherwise.
Temperament comes in hand during the dog training session. Training methods are not standard. The disposition of your dog determines the training methods that you will apply. So, dog trainers customize their training methods to match the temperament of the dog under training.
The temperament of a dog also determines its social nature. The temperament of your dog determines how easy you can walk with it, especially in a dog park and other recreation areas. To identify the character of your dog, you need to test it. You can engage a dog trainer to test the temperament of your dog.
Notably, the temperament of a dog ranges from an alpha leader to a shy follower. However, there are other temperament levels in between the said range. Also, some dogs show their temperament more often than others. So, you have to check the temperament frequency before introducing your dog to a stranger.
Intelligence
If someone asks you whether to get a low, medium or, highly smart red merle Aussie Doodle or black Aussie Doodle, you can go for the smartest of them all. Why? Even people always wish to get intelligent kids.
The behavior of a dog shows its level of intelligence. However, the term intelligence is subjective. So, a dog owner defines its intelligence according to how it responds to various orders.
The intelligence of a dog has three dimensions. The first dimension is instinctive intelligence. This intelligence dimension revolves around what a dog can do. If it was reared to herd cattle, how well it executes the roles tells its level of intelligence. Such a dog can round up the animals, keep them in a herd, and drive them in a specific direction with minimal intervention from its owner.
Notably, it is not possible to compare the intuitive intelligence of dogs that do different activities. However, you can compare dogs that do a similar task.
The second dimension is adaptive intelligence. This intelligence dimension refers to what a dog can learn to do independently. For example, a dog with high adaptive intelligence can solve a problem or exploit the environment to its benefit. Notably, different dogs from the same breed can have varied adaptive intelligence.
The last dimension is obedience and working intelligence. It refers to what a dog can memorize after receiving training from its owner. You can only measure this dimension using a test.
As a common rule, a dog that disobeys instructions cannot please its owner. So, a high level of intelligence makes a dog more valuable to its owner.
Shedding Frequency
Some dogs shed a lot, while others almost do not shed at all. Notably, there are various reasons why dogs shed. Is shedding a health condition? No. However, excessive shedding is a sign of an underlying health issue.
Notably, shedding is a natural way for dogs to remove old, unneeded, or damaged hair from their undercoat. In winter, some dogs grow a lot of hair that thickens their coat to regulate body temperature. However, they shed off some of the hair in spring as the weather temperature gets warm.
However, a sudden change in the weather temperature can trigger the process. So, you might find your dog shedding irregularly.
A healthy dog shedding is normal. However, the process does not leave some patches with longer hair than the other ones. Also, dogs with long hair are not necessarily heavy shedders.
As earlier said, the other various reasons why dogs shed include:
- Poor nutrition: A dog can shed as a reaction to some pet foods or taking food with insufficient nutrients to keep their coats healthy. According to the experts, the leading cause of excessive shedding is a poor diet.
- Parasites or fungi: Dogs can also shed because of parasites or fungi. Parasites such as fleas and ticks make a dog skin itch, prompting it to scratch itself. Regarding fungi, ringworms can form on the skin of a dog and make it lose hair unevenly.
- Allergies: Several irritants can react with the skin of your dog and make it shed. The irritants include mold, medicine, and human food.
- Pregnancy: A pregnant dog can shed because of insufficient calcium and minerals that keep its coat healthy.
- Severe illness: Some diseases, including cancer and other immune diseases, can make your dog shed.
- Skin trauma: Sunburn or contact with corrosive materials can cause shedding to your dog.
- Stress: Anxiety because of a change of environment or lifestyle can cause shedding in your dog.
So, when you see an Aussie Doodle for sale, you have to check whether it is already shedding. If it is shedding, try to identify the cause.
The shedding frequency enables you to create a grooming and brushing schedule for your Aussie Doodle dogs. If you get your Aussie from a trusted Aussie Doodle breeder, all you need to worry about is its grooming and brushing.
However, you need to see the health certificates to confirm that it is not suffering from any disease that causes shedding.
Need For Exercises
What comes to your mind when you hear about exercises? I bet you have thought about fighting obesity, and you are right. The right amount of activity helps to manage weight, both in humans and dogs.
The other benefit that comes up is that dogs need an outlet for energy. If you do not exercise your dog, it will develop a destructive behavior in a quest to use its energy reserves. So, exercising your dog depletes some of its energy reserves and leaves it calm.
The next benefit is that exercising your dog strengthens the dog-human bond. Dogs require unconditional love, and it feels pleased to share something with their owner.
However, different dogs require different levels of exercise. So, you have to understand the frequency of exercising your dog and the reason for doing so. Notably, some of the factors that determine the level of exercise your dog needs are its age, weather, and breed of your dog.
Working and larger dogs require high energy levels. So, you have to exercise them moderately to reserve some energy for its utility objectives. However, you should provide them with exercises that match their workload whenever they are idle.
Also, most toy or smaller dogs require less or lighter exercises because of their size. However, there are some small dogs, such as Jack Russell Terriers, that are highly active. So, they require intense exercise.
As a rule of thumb, you should give your dog 15-60 minutes of exercise daily. The exercising activities should be vigorous. So, letting it lose in the backyard is not enough.
Energy Level
The energy levels of a dog determine its diet and the level of activities that it can handle. However, some dogs copy your energy levels. So, when you are active, they also become active.
High-energy dogs are always a step ahead of you in activities. Some also have the stamina to work the entire day. Last, some dogs like lying around without doing much.
When getting a dog, consider whether their energy levels will excite or irritate you. For example, you may be a low-energy person, and getting a high-energy dog will bore you off. So, get a dog that has an energy level similar to yours.
Barking Level
Do you know that there is an acceptable level of barking that dogs should make? When the dog is playing, it is okay for it to bark. Barking is also allowable when a sleeping dog hears something alarming. However, the barking should be up to five minutes, four times a day, and between 9 am and 9 pm.
If a dog barks more than the acceptable level, it needs your attention. Such a dog can irritate your neighbors.
If your dog barks unnecessarily, you should consult a veterinarian or your dog breeder. Notably, never use anti-barking collars or other devices on your excessively barking dogs. Instead, investigate and provide the necessary solution.
Drool Potential
Can you differentiate between natural drooling and abnormal drooling? If not, let us delve into how you can make a distinction between the two drools.
Natural drooling happens when some dogs cannot hold the amount of saliva in their mouths. Their lip conformation has extra skin that stores saliva. So, the only option is for the dogs to allow the saliva to drip freely or come out when they shake it off. Notably, natural drooling is for some specific dog breeds, such as Bloodhound and Mastiff.
For dogs that do not naturally drool, saliva comes out of their mouth because of throat and mouth issues. For example, a mouth infection or fractured tooth causes saliva to accumulate in the mouth of the affected dog. Brushing your dog or taking it to a veterinary can help you reduce the drooling.
Other causes of drooling include tummy problems, heatstroke, and kidney disease can cause excessive drooling to your dog.
When getting a dog, you should check its lip conformation. Such a move will tell you whether to expect mild or heavy drooling. Otherwise, check its medical records to ascertain whether it has a condition that can cause drooling.
Coat Length and Structure
Notably, the skin and coat appearance of your dog tells much about its health. A shiny and smooth appearance denotes that the dog is in good shape health-wise. However, a coarse or brittle coat shows that your dog is unhealthy.
Knowing the coat length and coat structure of your dog helps you identify its grooming method.
Colors
Everyone has a color that appeals to them. However, some get confused about the color of a dog to select. To work around your confusion, you can opt to employ any of the following parameters:
- Consider the color of your home and get a dog with a similar color.
- If you like wearing some colors, you can choose a dog with a color that matches your fashion shade.
- The color of your new dog can also be similar to the color of the interior of your car.
- If you have another dog, you can buy a new dog with a similar color.
- Being photogenic is also a factor to consider when getting a dog. Light-colored dogs allow you to get a perfect shot.
Vital Stats on the Aussie Doodle Mix
- Breed group: hybrid
- Height: 14-25 inches (35.56-65.5 centimeters)
- Weight: 25-75 pounds (11.25-33.75 kilograms)
- Lifespan: 10-14 years
The Breed History of the Aussie Doodle
Even though Aussie Doodles may have existed long before their recognition, their intentional breeding started in the late 1990s in the US. Notably, the available literature provides a little history about Apsidioles’.
However, we can explore the history of the Aussie Shepherd and Poodle independently. Such exploration will help us understand where the Aussie Poodle mix got its characteristics.
The History of Australian Shepherd
The history of the Australian Shepherd spans back to the 1500s when Spaniard conquerors arrived in Australia. When they got to Australia, there was a scarcity of meat to feed their clergy and soldiers. So, they had to import sheep from their motherland. Also, they imported dogs that could tend the sheep.
The early literature describes the dogs that the Spaniards imported as wolf-like. However, the dogs had a larger size than the size of the modern Australian Shepherd. Also, the native dogs were black, tan, or yellowish, and they were also more guardian than the normal Aussie Shepherd.
Historians assume that the native dogs were the Carea Leonés, an energetic native Spaniard dog in northeastern Spain. Leones are small, and they have a merle coat and blue eyes. Even though the historians did not confirm whether the Spaniards imported Leones to tend their sheep, the dog breed is similar to the Shepherds.
Over time, the Spaniard native dogs mated with other dogs and produced a generic dog that became popular in California, New Mexico, and other states.
In the mid-1800s, there was a gold rush in California. The event created more demand for sheep meat to feed those that relocated to California. Also, after the Civil War, there was the need to develop a steady supply of wool and mutton. So, the American West needed more sheep and dogs to guard them.
Farmers in the East and Midwest exported their sheep to the West, together with British sheepdogs. The dogs had typical Australian Shepherd patterns and colors. Sometimes, the dogs produced dogs with short or no tails.
Some accounts assert that the arrival of the Merino sheep from Britain was in the company of Australian Shepherds. The Shepherds were little blue dogs that were a pure breed. However, people did not call them shepherds. It was some observant Americans that gave the dogs the name because they knew the origin of the dogs.
According to some studies, the Shepherds genetically belong to 18 groups of dogs from the rural UK. So, the Aussie Shepherds have British roots.
The History of a Poodle
In Europe, Poodles existed for many centuries because Albrecht Durer’s 15th and 16th-century drawings indicate so. Also, the 1631 Rembrandt portrait features a pet Poodle in the foreground.
There is an assumption that Poodles belonged to the royalties and wealthy people because the dogs are retrievers and water spaniels.
In Spain, Poodles were the principal pet dogs in the 18th century. The supporting evidence comes from Francisco Goya’s paintings. Also, there was evidence in the Versailles that Poodles existed even before Goya became active.
In France, there were toy Poodles during the reign of Louis XVI. Also, Louis’s records show that his grandfather owned a Poodle named Filou.
According to the France and German Kennel Clubs, Poodles came from the French Barbet. However, the France Kennel recognized the breed to avoid any dispute between the founding members of the Kennel Clubs. After France recognized the Poodle as a pure breed, Germany also followed suit.
However, the British Kennel Club held the origin of Poodle was in Germany, and they were duck hunters. Also, the American and Canadian Kennel Clubs supported the British assertion.
The American Heritage Dictionary and the Oxford English Dictionary trace the meaning of Poodle from the German word Pudel, which means to splash water.
According to the American Kennel Club, the standard Doodle is the oldest breed size. The other breed sizes are Toy Aussie Doodle and mini Aussie Doodle, but they come from the Standard Poodle.
Interesting Facts About Aussie Doodles
Aussie Doodles Like to Share
Aussie Doodles can bring you gifts because of their playful nature. Also, they like to tease other dogs by showing them something and running off with it. Notably, the chase is the favorite game that Aussie Doodles love to play. So, even though they give up in the end, you have to chase them around to get your gift.
Aussie Poodles Like to Bounce
Aussie Poodles can bounce like a tiger. The characteristic makes them easy to train. They can jump as if they are boneless. Also, they lunge fearlessly at anything, and they can get on your way without notice.
When training them, you have to apply caution because the Aussiepoos can jump over a fence. It is so sad that they cannot participate in pole jumping.
Aussiepoos Want You Around All The Time
Aussie Doodles are prone to separation anxiety. It is a characteristic that they borrow from their Australian Shepherd parents.
For this reason, Aussiepoos bond with everyone they meet. So, even strangers become a part of their pack quickly. Also, their loyalty makes them a part of your family. In other words, they consider themselves as a member of your family.
Aussie Doodles Crave for Attention
Aussiepoos are naturally attention seekers. They adore unconditional love. When you get distracted, they whine to get back your focus. Also, they meet you with snuggles and kisses when you draw your attention to them.
You Can Wake up to Aussie Poodle on Your Head
Aussiepoos like to cuddle. If you allow them in your bedroom, you have to make it a habit. With an Aussiepoo on your bed, it gets warmer, and you can dispose of that heater and save more to buy dog toys.
Aussiepoodles Are Workaholics
To reiterate, Poodles are retrievers while Australian Shepherds are herders. So, the combination of such characteristics creates a mixed breed that is workaholics.
Aussiepoos are highly active. They get pleased whenever you assign them various tasks. If you do not have any errands for them, you can help them learn new tricks. Such a move keeps their body and mind engaged.
You Can Confuse Aussiepoos With Stuffed Animals
Aussie Doodles have soft hair that does not shed much. You can groom their hair in different styles. Their coats are fluffy and rough. So, you need to groom them monthly and brush them daily. Also, their hairstyles are not cheap. However, the hairstyles are worth it because it makes them look cute.
Aussie Doodles Drip
Aussiepoos have beards. Whenever they drink water, it soaks on their beard and drips on the floor. So, you can follow their trail when they get out of sight after drinking water. Interestingly, their beards are always clean because they soak in water whenever they quench their thirst.
Aussie Doodles Are Great Swimmers
If you are having a trip to the beach, you should bring your Aussiepoo along. They love taking a splash either to show off or to cool off.
If you do not live close to a beach, you can use a hosepipe to play with your Aussiepoo. A sprinkler is also a better alternative to a beach—Aussiepoos like grabbing a hosepipe and playing around with the water coming out. You can also find them dipping their feet or face in your swimming pool.
Aussiepoos Are Perfect Therapy Dogs
Aussie Doodles, know when you have a rough day. In other words, they can tune with any need that you could be having. For this reason, they make good therapy, service, and emotional dogs. You will find your Aussiepoo gentle to everyone and every animal. So, they understand that you need them in hard times.
The Size and Personality of Aussie Doodle Dogs
Now that you have acquired an Aussie Doodle puppy, what traits and behaviors should you expect in the future when it becomes an adult Aussie Doodle?
Aussiepoos’ size ranges from toy to standard size. Most of them weigh 25-70 pounds (11.25-31.5 kilograms). Regarding their height, they measure 10-15 inches (25.4-38.1 centimeters).
When it comes to their personality, Aussie Doodles are loving and goofy. They have a lot of energy that makes them ideal for hiking, walking, or playing partners. Given that Aussie Shepherd is herders, you can find your Aussiepoo trying to round you and your children up.
Aussiepoos is also Intelligent. They like to have a high level of mental stimulation. If you leave your Aussiepoo dormant, it can become destructive.
Last, Aussiepoos adore your company. If asked, they can wish you take a day off from work and spend time with them. Also, they are selective, and they can choose to be with their preferred members of your family. However, it does not mean that they do not get along with everyone in the family.
Health Concerns Regarding the Aussie Doodle
Even though hybrid dogs are less prone to hereditary diseases, they are vulnerable to other diseases. For this reason, you should ask for a health certificate from a dog breeder whenever you are buying an Aussie Doodle.
Some of the health conditions of Aussiepoos include hip dysplasia, epilepsy, cataracts, autoimmune thyroiditis, progressive retinal atrophy, and sebaceous adenitis. You have to consult your veterinarian to understand the signs that show that your dog is suffering from any of the mentioned health conditions.
Importantly, ask for the health history of the puppy’s parents to see whether they had hip and eye check certifications. If the breeder does not have certifications that show clearance from the said health problems, you should never buy am Aussiepoo from them.
Importantly, using a vet to check the health of your Aussiepoo is different from getting a health clearance certificate. A certificate is historical, while a vet check tests the current condition of your dog. So, ask for the certificates on top of getting a vet check of your dog.
You should prioritize getting a quality dog breeder over getting the right puppy. A good breeder provides you with the right puppy that has all health certifications.
If you get a puppy or an adult Aussie Doodle, the first step should be to get a vet to check it. Not only will the vet spot visible symptoms of an underlying health condition but also direct you on how to prevent the diseases that can attack your Aussiepoo.
Last, you can opt to get AussieDoodle pet insurance. Such a cover enables you to reduce the health expenses of the dog. The best time to get pet insurance is when your Aussiepoo is healthy. Some pet insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions. So, get pet insurance when your puppy is in good health to cover all health concerns.
Caring for the Aussie Poodle Mix
As mentioned earlier, you should take your AussiePoodle to a vet immediately after getting it. The move gives you a chance to get a care routine that will keep your Aussiepoo healthy at all times.
You should also know that AussiePoodles can gain weight fast. Also, they have high-energy levels that require keeping them active. So, you should give your Aussiepoo thirty minutes to one hour walk every day. Also, you should interchange walking with playing sessions.
The ears of an Aussiepoo can collect dust and debris. So, you should clean them as your vet will direct. Also, trim the nails of your Aussiepoo once every month to prevent them from becoming too long. Trimming the nails also helps to prevent them from clicking the floor loudly.
For Aussie Doodle puppies, maintain their oral hygiene because puppies are prone to gum and dental diseases. Nevertheless, you should brush your AussieDoodle’s teeth regardless of their size. If you are unsure of how to do it, you can get advice from your vet.
Socialize your AussiePoodle Puppies with humans and other dogs. You can take it to a dog park or let it bond with any other dog that you have. Socializing your AussiePoo puppy is one way of stimulating it mentally.
Regarding how your Aussiepoo interacts with your children, always supervise when the dog is close to your children. Also, teach your children how to interact with the dog safely. Sometimes, children or the dog can be rough, and playtime can end poorly.
Keeping a towel at the door can prevent your AussiePoodle from taking dust inside the house after playtime. Also, sometimes your Aussiepoo can get its feet muddy while playing. However, the towel at the door of your house collects some of the excess mud.
Last, provide your AussieDoodle with a safe and warm place to sleep inside the house. If you lock it outside, it can become mentally distressed because of its nature of being close to people. So, never build a kennel for it outside your house.
The Aussie Doodle Feeding Regime
Always provide your AussieDoodle with a balanced and nutritious diet. Given their wolf heritage, AussiePoodles enjoy a raw diet. You can feed them with dry raw superfood or dehydrated raw food to keep them healthy.
Also, the diet of an Aussiepoo should be a formula that has high nutrients. However, you should stick to a regular feeding plan because AussiePoodes are prone to gaining weight. So, never leave food out. Also, limit the treats that you give to them.
As your AussieDoodle grows, its diet should change. For example, the food you use when your dog is a puppy should change when it becomes a senior dog. Also, consider the energy, weight, and health of your Aussiepoo when determining its diet.
Typically, an average AussieDoodle eats two-three cups of food every day. You should scale up the food intake depending on the size of your dog. If you are unsure, consult your veterinarian for help.
If your puppy or adult Aussiepoo starts losing weight, you should consider giving it more food. This option applies when your dog is healthy because a dog can lose weight because of an underlying health problem.
Notably, sometimes you have to customize your feeding program. The consideration comes in when your dog has dietary needs or when your dog is allergic to some dog food.
Coat Colors and Aussie Doodle Dog Grooming Info
AussieDoodles inherit the color of their Australian Shepherd parent. So, they can be Aussie Doodle black, blue merle, red merle, red tri, tan, or sable. In rare cases, the coat can have a solid color because often it has more than one color.
Given that the parents of an Aussiepoo have different coats, grooming your Aussiepoo depends on the type of coat they inherit from their parents.
If your Aussiepoo inherits a coat with long wavy hair, you should brush it frequently to prevent matting. On the other hand, a curly coat requires clipping after every 12 weeks. Notably, Aussiepoos with short hair are ideal for allergic people. However, there is no guarantee that they will not be allergic because dogs have other allergens, such as saliva and urine.
The type of coat that an Aussiepoodle inherits determines whether they can handle extreme weather. Generally, Aussiepoodles can tolerate cold weather better than some other dogs, such as Chihuahua. However, keep your Aussiepoo warm during winter.
When grooming your Aussiepoo, you can use dog shampoo and conditioner. Doing so will help to clean your dog thoroughly and keep its skin healthy. Regarding cleaning the eyes, use a damp cloth to wipe the eyes using outward strokes. Such a cleaning method will help to prevent the debris from getting into the eyes of your dog.
Adopt, Don’t Shop!
You should consider getting an Aussie Poodle from an Aussie Doodle rescue center. Given that most health conditions do not show up when an AussiePoodle is young, getting an adult dog from a rescue center will rule out most health conditions. Also, an Aussiepoo lives up to 13 years. So, you will have plenty of time to enjoy an adult Aussie Doodle.
If you shop for an Aussie Poodle from a pet store, there is a high likelihood that the dog will be antisocial. Also, such a dog can be having health conditions that the seller can conceal.
Notably, puppy mills are sometimes cruel to dogs. So, it can be hard for you to train a puppy from a pet store. So, you better adopt an Aussiepoo than shop for one.
Last, adopting an Aussie Poodle from a rescue center comes with shared responsibilities. There are some roles that the rescue center will play to ensure that the dog develops to its full potential. So, it is time to visit a rescue center and give one of the Aussiepoos a shelter.