Airedale Pitbull Mix: Pictures, Care Guide, Temperament & Traits
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The Airedale Pitbull mix isn’t a dog that you see every day. If you’re interested in owning one of these canines, you may have to look far and hard to find one. In the lucky chance that you find one available near you, you may want to jump at the opportunity to own one—if you have the ability to care for these energetic, lovable dogs.
| Height: | 20–24 inches |
| Weight: | 40–70 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 10–14 years |
| Colors: | Black, brown, brindle, white, or a combination of these |
| Suitable for: | Active families |
| Temperament: | Loyal, affectionate, intelligent |
This interesting mixed breed is very energetic, so they work best for active families. If you have a larger family and are looking for a dog that can keep up with you, the Airedale Pitbull may be a solid option.
However, they can also be a bit too much for some individuals. They do need quite a bit of exercise, for instance. They are also a bit protective in some cases, and their guarding instincts can get the best of them. They need a substantial amount of training and socialization to ensure they are well-behaved.
Airedale Pitbull Breed Characteristics
Airedale Pitbull Puppies
Airedale Pitbull puppies are playful and curious, often needing tons of playtime to prevent hyperactivity. They’re also much sleepier than adults, so you should expect them to take several naps a day. Early socialization and training are vital to ensure they grow up to be well-adjusted adults. We recommend getting these dogs involved in puppy training classes at a relatively young age.
These dogs are a mixed breed, so they are extremely challenging to find. You often have to get lucky at a rescue or animal shelter. There are few breeders producing these dogs—if any.
Keep in mind that mixed-breed puppies can vary in appearance and temperament, even within the same litter. When you adopt a mixed breed, you’re largely playing a game of chance.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Airedale Pitbull 🧠
As we stated above, these dogs can inherit various temperament traits depending entirely on one chance. Therefore, you don’t know exactly what kind of dog you’re going to get.
Generally, this breed is loyal and bonds closely with their family. They love human companionship and thrive on interaction with others. Therefore, you should plan on spending plenty of time with them each day (preferably playing). However, they can be aloof with strangers and somewhat protective. To ensure they are friendly and well-behaved, you must socialize them regularly and early. Training plays a key role in helping them become good dogs.
Luckily, they are pretty easy to train. They’re quick learners and eager to please, which means that they’ll understand what you’re asking and actually do it. However, their intelligence can sometimes be paired with a stubborn streak, requiring consistent and patient training methods. Dogs tend to become most stubborn around 1–2 years old, so plan on being extra patient around this time.
Mental stimulation is important to prevent boredom, as this breed can be quite intelligent. Training and puzzle toys are often enough, but they should be offered daily.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪
These dogs can be a great choice for families under the right circumstances. They are very affectionate and loyal, but they do require proper socialization and training to be well-behaved around strangers. They are also very high-energy, so they do best with more active families.
Due to their protective instincts, it’s essential to supervise Airedale Pitbull mixes around young children, especially if they haven’t been adequately socialized. While they can be loving and gentle, any dog has the potential to react if they feel threatened or provoked.
Luckily, these dogs are adaptable to a range of living environments. However, having a yard or access to an outdoor space can be beneficial to meet their exercise needs. Apartment living is completely possible with enough exercise, though.
Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?
These dogs can get along with other pets in certain circumstances. Socialization and individual temperament play a huge role, though. Early socialization can go a long way to preventing issues with other pets in the future. If you want your dog to get along with cats, introduce them to many kinds of cats when they are young.
Of course, it is vital that these dogs are introduced properly to new pets. Take things slowly to make the introduction as smooth as possible. Proper introduction and training can go a long way.
Things to Know When Owning an Airedale Pitbull
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
Generally, these dogs don’t have any special dietary requirements. However, they do require a balanced, nutritious diet to maintain their health. A high-quality, commercial dog food is the best choice for most Airedale Pitbulls. We recommend choosing one for high-activity dogs if your canine is particularly active. Avoid foods with excess fillers and artificial additives, which don’t do anything to support your dog’s health.
A protein-rich diet is a solid choice for these active dogs. However, they also need a moderate amount of fat. Preferably, the fat should be animal-based.
Be sure to control your dog’s portions, as they can become obese if they eat too much. Follow the feeding guidelines on the package and adjust as your dog needs you to. Obesity can cause a range of health problems, so it is important to avoid it.
Exercise 🐕
As we’ve stated, Airedale Pitbulls are energetic dogs that require regular exercise. Otherwise, they can become hyperactive and destructive. You should aim for at least 60–90 minutes of exercise per day. Some dogs may need more, while others may be okay with less. Exercise should be of moderate intensity, which includes brisk walks, jogging, fetching, or playtime.
Because these dogs are intelligent, they also need mental exercise. You should provide them with puzzle toys, obedience training, and interactive playtime to keep their brain in tip-top shape. Otherwise, they may become bored and start looking for their own fun, which is typically not what you want them to do.
Consider adding variety to their exercise routine to keep it interesting. Hiking, a new type of training, and canine agility can all exercise their mind and body at the same time.
Training 🎾
Training is a vital part of these dog’s well-being. If you want your dog to be well-behaved and responsive, you must train them well and early. Positive reinforcement is the best way to train these dogs, as it makes training fun. Avoid punitive training methods, as these can lead to fear and aggression (which these dogs already have some problems with).
Start with basic commands like “sit,” “stay,” “down,” “come,” and “leave it.” Consistent repetition and rewards help your dog understand and obey these commands. Practice them in training and add them to your real-life routine to ensure your dog understands them completely.
You’ll also need to socialize these dogs properly. Get them around interesting people, places, and animals starting at an early age. This exposure prevents them from becoming fearful later on, which reduces the likelihood of aggression.
We highly recommend exercising your canine before training sessions. A tired dog is much more likely to focus well and cooperate during training.
Grooming ✂️
These dogs can have anything from a dense, wiry coat to a short, smooth coat. It completely depends on what traits they inherit from which parent. Often, their coats will fall somewhere in between. Regular brushing is required, either way, to keep their coat in good condition and reduce shedding. We recommend brushing them at least once a week to remove loose hair and prevent matting. Use a slicker brush for best results.
You may also want to bathe your dog, but we only recommend doing this every 8 weeks or so. Otherwise, you may dry out their skin and cause irritation, which can increase shedding and lead to infections. Trim your dog’s nails regularly to prevent overgrowth. If you’re not comfortable doing this yourself, consider having a professional groomer or veterinarian trim them.
Health and Conditions ❤️
Like all dogs, this mixed breed can develop some health conditions. Luckily, they tend to be healthier than their purebred counterparts, as they are inheriting traits from a wider range of canines. Still, this doesn’t mean they’re completely immune from health problems.
Airedale Terriers and Pitbulls can both be susceptible to hip dysplasia, a genetic condition where the hip joint doesn’t develop properly. This can lead to arthritis and mobility issues. This condition can be passed onto their puppies, but it can be tested for in parents before breeding. Therefore, it’s important to ask about hip screenings before purchasing a puppy.
This breed may also be prone to bloat or gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV), which is a life-threatening condition. It involves the stomach filling with gas and then twisting, preventing the gas from escaping. This requires emergency surgery to rectify. Skin allergies can also be common, though this doesn’t have as clear of a genetic link as other conditions.
- Allergies
- Hip dysplasia
- Arthritis
- GDV
Male vs. Female
There isn’t a particular difference between the males and females of this breed. Because they’re a mixed breed, they vary widely anyway. Therefore, there aren’t any specific traits we can nail to one gender or the other.
Females will go into heat and have hormonal changes, while males have fewer hormonal ups and downs throughout their lives. Females can also get certain types of cancer that males cannot get, and vice versa. Most of these differences will be mitigated by spaying and neutering.
3 Little-Known Facts About Airedale Pitbulls
1. They can vary in appearance.
You never really know what these dogs are going to look like. You may see a cute Airedale Pitbull and want to adopt one yourself. However, there is very little chance that the puppy you adopt will look the same. It’s important to be okay with these differences before you adopt a puppy.
2. These canines have a strong work ethic.
They love having a job to do, whether that is guarding, hunting, or farm work. They often have a very work-driven mentality, which can make them very dedicated companions. Teaching them canine agility or obedience is a great way to direct this trait.
3. Airedale Pitbulls are agile and athletic.
While these dogs are most commonly kept as companion animals, they are very agile and athletic. You can train them to do a wide range of jobs, including agility trials and even dock diving. These activities are a great way to engage their mind and body.
Final Thoughts
Airedale Pitbulls are an interesting mixed breed that is incredibly hard to find. While some mixed breeds are becoming more and more popular, this isn’t one of them. You’ll likely need to get lucky to find one of these dogs available for adoption.
These dogs can be a great option for athletic, active families that want to be involved in canine sports (or at least train their dogs to do these sports, even if they don’t compete). They’re very athletic and intelligent, which makes them work-oriented dogs that love to do just about anything but lay around.
Featured Image Credit: Left – otsphoto, Shutterstock | Right – Aneta Jungerova, Shutterstock
