Everything You Need to Know About Toy & Mini Australian Mountain Doodles (AMD)

Toy and Mini Australian Mountain Doodles (AMD), also known as Australian Bernedoodles or Swiss Doodles, are quickly becoming some of the most popular designer dog breeds. These delightful hybrid dogs combine the intelligence and energy of the Australian Shepherd with the gentle and affectionate nature of the Bernese Mountain Dog, resulting in a charming companion that is loved by families across the country.

While these hybrids are relatively new to the designer dog world, their small size, hypoallergenic coats, and friendly temperament are already making them highly sought after by pet lovers. In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at the Toy and Mini AMDs, their parent breeds, and what makes them the perfect family pets.

Getting to Know the Parent Breeds

To better understand Toy and Mini Australian Mountain Doodles, it’s essential to know about their parent breeds: the Australian Shepherd, Bernese Mountain Dog, and the Poodle.

Australian Shepherd/ Mini American Shepherd:

The Australian Shepherd, or "Aussie," is known for its intelligence, energy, and hardworking nature. Traditionally bred as a herding dog, Aussies are incredibly trainable and eager to please. They thrive in environments where they can work or engage in physical activity, making them excellent companions for active families.

Bernese Mountain Dog:

The Bernese Mountain Dog is a gentle giant known for its calm demeanor, loyalty, and affectionate nature. Though larger in size, Bernese Mountain Dogs are renowned for their loving temperament, making them excellent family dogs. Their nurturing nature, combined with their protective instincts, creates a dog that’s both an ideal companion and a devoted guardian.

Poodle:

The Poodle, especially the Toy and Miniature varieties, brings intelligence, hypoallergenic qualities, and trainability to the mix. Poodles are playful, adaptable, and social, and their low-shedding, curly coat makes them a great choice for allergy sufferers.

Sizes for Toy AMD

At Stokeshire Designer Doodles, we classify our Australian Mountain Doodles (AMD) puppies based on the size of their parent breeds, Mini American Shepherds following AKC standards. Mini-American Shepherds typically weigh an average of 30 pounds, which is the maximum size we use to classify our Mini-sized puppies at Stokeshire. These dogs are compact, agile, and well-suited for families, offering the perfect balance of energy and manageability.

1. Origins of the Hybrid Breeds:

Toy and Mini Australian Mountain Doodles (AMD) are a hybrid breed created by crossing the Australian Shepherd or Mini American Shepherd with the Bernese Mountain Dog and Poodle. The goal was to produce a smaller, more manageable version of the original Australian Mountain Doodle, while maintaining the breed’s intelligence, friendly temperament, and hypoallergenic traits. These hybrid dogs combine the best characteristics of all three parent breeds, resulting in an affectionate, active, and family-friendly companion.

Exercise and Training Needs:

Toy and Mini AMDs are highly intelligent dogs that enjoy regular exercise and mental stimulation. They require daily walks, playtime, and occasional activities like agility training or puzzle toys to keep them engaged. While they have moderate energy levels, these dogs excel in environments where they can participate in active family activities. As highly trainable dogs, they respond well to positive reinforcement training methods, and early socialization is key to raising a well-behaved companion.

Socialization and Interaction with Other Pets:

Toy and Mini AMDs are known for their friendly and sociable nature. They generally get along well with children, other dogs, and pets when properly socialized from an early age. These dogs thrive in family environments where they receive plenty of attention and interaction. Regular socialization with new people, pets, and environments will ensure that they remain confident and adaptable, making them a great fit for households with multiple pets or active families.

Grooming Details for Furnished vs. Unfurnished Coats:

The grooming needs of Toy and Mini AMDs depend largely on whether they have a furnished or unfurnished coat. Furnished dogs, with their curly or wavy coats, require regular brushing—ideally a few times per week—to prevent matting and tangling. Professional grooming every 4-6 weeks is also recommended. Unfurnished dogs, on the other hand, have a shorter, straighter coat resembling their parent breeds, and while they may shed slightly more than furnished dogs, they still shed less than typical double-coated breeds. These dogs require less grooming but still benefit from regular brushing and care to keep their coats healthy.

Health and Genetic Information:

Toy and Mini Australian Mountain Doodles are generally healthy dogs, thanks to careful breeding practices that focus on genetics and health. However, as with all breeds, they may be prone to certain inherited health conditions, such as hip dysplasia or progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). Reputable breeders conduct health testing on both parents to minimize the risk of passing down genetic conditions. Regular veterinary check-ups and a healthy diet are essential for ensuring your AMD remains happy and healthy throughout their life.

Availability and How to Adopt:

At Stokeshire Designer Doodles, we pride ourselves on producing high-quality Toy and Mini Australian Mountain Doodles. If you’re interested in adopting one of these wonderful dogs, the first step is to join our waitlist and fill out an application. Due to the popularity of this breed, we recommend securing your spot early. Once on the list, we’ll provide updates and information on upcoming litters, including availability, pricing, and the adoption process. You can contact us directly or fill out an adoption application to begin your journey toward bringing home your new best friend.

Potential Challenges:

While Toy and Mini Australian Mountain Doodles are generally a joy to own, they do require a commitment to their exercise and grooming needs. Their intelligent and energetic nature means they can become bored or anxious without enough stimulation, so it’s important to provide daily activities to keep them occupied. Additionally, while they are great with children, they may require extra training to prevent separation anxiety or other behavior issues if left alone for long periods. Being aware of these needs will help ensure a smooth and happy relationship with your new companion.

Price and Availability for Adoption:

The price of Toy and Mini Australian Mountain Doodles can vary depending on factors such as coat type, parent lineage, and the overall quality of the breeding. On average, you can expect to pay between $3,500 and $7,000 for a puppy from Stokeshire Designer Doodles. We recommend contacting us to inquire about upcoming litters and get an accurate pricing estimate. We also require a deposit to secure your spot on the waitlist. Please note that prices are subject to change depending on availability and demand.

Toy AMD

On the other hand, Toy Aussies are smaller, with a weight limit of 20 pounds or less, which is why we classify our Toy AMD puppies in this category. Toy Aussies retain the intelligence, agility, and friendly temperament of the Australian Shepherd but in a more compact package, making them ideal for smaller living spaces or families seeking a more portable companion. Both sizes are great choices for families looking for an intelligent, affectionate dog with the potential “hypoallergenic” qualities of the AMD breed.

AMD Blue Merle Puppy

Unfurnished AMD

When it comes to Australian Mountain Doodles (AMD) and other Doodle breeds, "furnished" and "unfurnished" refer to the type of coat the dog will have. Furnished dogs have a longer, wavy or curly coat, typical of Doodles, which is hypoallergenic and requires regular grooming to maintain. Unfurnished dogs, however, will resemble their parent breeds, such as the Australian Shepherd and Bernese Mountain Dog, with a shorter, straighter coat that lacks the poodle-like curls or waves. While unfurnished dogs may shed more than their furnished counterparts, they often shed less than a typical double-coated breed like the Bernese Mountain Dog. This coat type is easier to maintain but may not be as hypoallergenic as the furnished coat.

Toy & Mini Australian Mountain Doodles: A Blend of Best Traits

Raised by Kids for Kids

By crossing Toy and Miniature American Shepherds (bred to Bernedoodles to reduce size) with Bernese Mountain Dogs and Poodles, the Toy and Mini Australian Mountain Doodles inherit the best traits from all three breeds. The result is a hybrid dog that is:

  • Intelligent and trainable: The Aussie and Poodle influence ensures that these dogs are quick learners, eager to please, and easy to train.

  • Loyal and affectionate: The Bernese Mountain Dog contributes its loving, gentle, and loyal temperament, making these dogs excellent companions for children and families.

  • Hypoallergenic coats: Thanks to the Poodle’s genetics, Toy and Mini AMDs have low-shedding, hypoallergenic coats, making them suitable for people with allergies.

Why Toy and Mini Australian Mountain Doodles Make Great Family Pets

These hybrid dogs are perfect for families looking for a small to medium-sized dog that is affectionate, intelligent, and hypoallergenic. Their manageable size makes them a great option for both apartments and homes with yards, while their friendly, calm nature makes them great companions for children, elderly individuals, and other pets. Whether you live an active lifestyle or prefer a quieter, more relaxed environment, the Toy and Mini AMDs are adaptable to both.

Final Thoughts

Toy and Mini Australian Mountain Doodles are quickly becoming one of the most popular hybrid breeds due to their combination of size, intelligence, hypoallergenic coats, and gentle temperament. If you’re looking for a dog that’s easy to train, great with kids, and fits well into family life, a Toy or Mini AMD might be the perfect fit for you. Whether you’re considering adopting one of these lovely dogs or simply want to learn more about the breed, you can be sure that a Toy or Mini Australian Mountain Doodle will bring joy, affection, and love to your home.

Dog BreedsJames StokesStokeshire Designer DoodlesAussiedoodle