Airedoodle Basics

The Airedoodle is a great family dog and is perfect for active owners who enjoy the great outdoors. A mix of Standard Poodle and Airedale Terrier, this designer dog is relatively new to North America. While he isn’t much of a barker and is okay with being left on his own for short periods of time, he really does enjoy human companionship and won’t do well if he’s left to his own devices on a regular basis.

A mix of Standard Poodle and Airedale Terrier, the Airedoodle is relatively new to North America.

Origin

While the Airedoodle is a new breed that first originated in the US, he is a hybrid dog that was bred from an Airedale terrier and Standard poodle. The Airedale is the largest of the terrier breeds and originates from Yorkshire, England where he was a sporting dog used for hunting back in the mid-19th century.

The Standard poodle hails from Germany and records place it back as far as the 17th century where he was used as a working dog in the military.

Pedigree

Airedoodles are a blend of Airedale Terrier and Standard Poodle and because of this hybrid nature they do not qualify to be registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC). That said, his parents are long-standing members. The Airedale terrier was inducted into the AKC back in 1888 and the Poodle in 1887. The Airedale falls under AKC’s “terrier” group and is described as “clever, courageous and friendly” while the Poodle joined the AKC’s elite ranks of “non-sporting” dog and is described as ”proud, active and very smart”.

Food/Diet

The Airedoodle is a larger dog with a lot of energy so will need to be fed a quality dry food to sustain him. Brands and varieties can typically be found at a reputable pet store but his diet should primarily consist of dry kibble and treats with human food fed minimally if at all. You can expect him to consume between 2-1/2 cup to 3 cups of dry food divvied up into two meals each day.

Training

The Airedoodle is a highly intelligent breed who is keen to please his owner and typically very easy to train. He is a physically strong dog who will require both socialization and behavioral training to ensure you bring out his best side. They love human interaction, thrive on mental stimulation and can usually pick up on your commands after just a few repetitions. It is important that your dog begin his training at an early age and if you happen to possess a stubborn little guy who resists, just remain calm but firm, letting him know that you are in charge.

Weight

The Airedoodle is considered a medium sized dog and weighs approximately 40-60 pounds.

Temperament/Behavior

The Airedoodle has a gentle disposition and does well with kids, other dogs and pets. His high energy level requires regular exercise to ensure he maintains a calm demeanor and an eager to please manner makes him a great pooch to engage in one-on-one ball throwing or rough-housing. His love of companionship means that he can resort to naughty behaviors if he’s left on his own for long periods of time. Overall, a wonderful family pet.

Common Health Problems

While hybrids typically do not inherit the health issues that present with their parents, this can never be a guarantee and potential pet parents need to do their research on both parent breeds. In the case of the Airedoodle, there are no health issues specific to the breed however inherited ailments could include Hip Dysplasia, gastric torsion (or bloat) and dermatitis due to the wiry nature of the coat. This latter can result in itchy skin and excessive licking but can be resolved with clipping his coat regularly and hand stripping his fur to remove dead hair roots.

Life Expectancy

The average life span of an Airedoodle is 10-15 years.

Exercise Requirements

The Airedoodle is a larger sized dog who loves attention, thrives on lots of exercise and absolutely adores rigorous playtimes. In fact, this boy needs regular walks of at least one-half hour each day and play dates that include catching a ball or Frisbee, off-leash dog parks and a good romp in the yard. He’s a great running, cycling or jogging companion, and to keep him physically active and mentally stimulated potential owners will need to ensure they have time in their schedule for loads of these types of activity.

AKC

Because he is a hybrid breed, the Airedoodle is not a member of the American Kennel Club however he is recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club, Designer Dogs Kennel Club, Dog Registry of America, Inc., International Designer Canine Registry and the Designer Breed Registry.

Coat

The Airedoodle’s coat is medium long in length, wavy or curly and quite dense. Because of his Poodle lineage, he is a light shedder and a good pick for allergy sufferers; however he will still need to be brushed regularly. Bathe as needed and be sure to include nail trimming and ear cleaning at the same time. If you’re not confident with the nail trimming, be sure to bring him to a groomer on a regular basis to ensure these areas are not neglected.

Puppies

Airedoodles are an uncommon hybrid so finding a puppy may not be a simple task. Once you bring your new puppy home, you should have a game plan for training him. Obedience training is a must as your new puppy can become overly-hyper with his high energy levels.

Photo credit: cynoclub/Bigstock; Justin Brice/Flickr; Ingrid/Flickr