The Airedale Terrier-Poodle mix is called an Airedoodle. They are a recent Doodle breed that has gained some serious popularity in the dog world. My experience having owned both Airedales and a Doodle makes me so excited to cover this mixed breed.
Owners are discovering that Airedoodles bring a lot to the table for their friendly temperament and spunky attitudes. Is the Airedoodle the right dog for you?
Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about this fun breed.
A Tale of Two Airedales and a Doodle
I grew up with two Airedale Terriers. Now, I own a Doodle dog of my own. This gives me a unique perspective on the Airedoodle breed. Plus, a soft spot in my heart for both parent breeds.
Max and Kyle
The two Airedale Terriers I grew up with were named Max and Kyle. They were wonderful dogs. Full of energy, stubbornness, and love for our entire family.
Airedales are not very common. Whenever I come across one in the ‘wild’, I chase after its owner and ask if I can give out a few pets.
There’s just something about the dogs you grew up with. The breed becomes a part of nostalgia that mixes childhood and family memories into one.
I adored both Kyle and Max. Kyle was tall, lanky, and gentle. As a kid, I would lay on him and read a book or bury my head into his.
Max on the other hand was built like a bull. He was stubborn, energetic, and a free soul. He was a tough guy but from time to time he’d give in and allow for a hug or two.
Both Max and Kyle were great watchdogs. They were great with my sister and me when we were small children. For that, I will always love Airedales!
This adorable video below about a family adopting an Airedale puppy just hits too close to home. Give it a watch and be prepared for water works…
Murphy
Kyle and Max both passed due to old age. After I graduated college, I was dead set on getting a dog of my own. I was obsessed with Bernedoodles.
Eventually, I was able to adopt Murphy and the rest is history. She is a wild child. She’s goofy, clumsy, and chock full of love.
I spend almost every hour with her. I love every minute of it.
Don’t get me wrong she can be a pain at times. But all the other times of fun and sweetness make up for it.
Bernedoodles are a Poodle mix. Living with Murph for over 3 years has convinced me that Poodle mixes, or better known as Doodles, are the ideal dog mix.
I could be biased but the Airedale-Poodle mix sounds like the perfect dog.
What is an Airedoodle?
The Airedoodle is a cross-breed between an Airedale Terrier and a Standard Poodle. It is a relatively new Doodle breed that has risen in popularity in recent years. It is a medium to a large-sized dog with an athletic build. They are smart, loyal, and gentle.
Airedoodles can also be called Poodales or Airepoos.
History of the Parent Breeds
The Airedoodle is an exciting dog breed that’s still relatively new to both the United States and the world. Like many Doodle breeds, it has no documented history. The two breeds that make up the Airedoodle, on the other hand, have a long history.
Let’s take a closer look at the Airedale Terrier and the Poodle.
Airedale Terrier
The Airedale Terrier is commonly referred to as an Airedale. They are also known as the Bingley Terrier and the Waterside Terrier. This dog breed originated in the River Aire’s valley (dale) in Yorkshire, England.
The Airedale Terrier was developed from the Old English Black and Tan Terrier (now known as the Welsh Terrier), the Otterhound, and possibly other Terrier breeds [1]www.ukcdogs.com/airedale-terrier. Airedales have influenced other dog breeds such as the Yorkshire Terrier.
Airedales are often regarded as the “King of Terriers” [2]www.akc.org/dog-breeds/airedale-terrier/.
This breed was created as a versatile hunting and all-around working farm dog and has also served as a battle dog, guide dog, and police dog in the United Kingdom.
Terriers from the River Aire in South Yorkshire were bred with Otterhounds in the mid-nineteenth century to improve their ability to hunt near water and boost their scenting abilities. The Airedale was the name given to the breed after the place where it originally appeared.
During World War I, the Airedale Terrier served as a guard, courier, and hunter alongside troops.
Poodle
Officially, the Poodle is said to have originated in Germany in the mid-17th century. Their heritage reaches further back to an Asian dog breed that had curly hair.
Originally a water dog, the Poodle was used in Germany for its superb waterfowl-hunting ability. The breed has excelled as a guide dog, protection dog, service dog, and performance dog.
Origin of the Airedoodle
The origin of the Airedoodle is a mystery. The Airedale Terrier-Poodle mix combines the histories of both parent breeds into one.
As previously stated, there are no official records on when or where the first Airedoodle was born. This is not uncommon in the Doodle dog world.
General Appearance
Airedoodles are a cross between a Poodle and an Airedale Terrier. It’s a medium-sized giant dog with a wiry coat and a long nose that’s proportionate to its head.
The skull of an Airedoodle is round, and the ears are floppy. They have a square-shaped construction and a powerful, solid look.
Coat Type
The Airedale Terrier has a ‘broken’ coat that is rough and wiry. The Poodle has a curly, long coat. The combination of the two gives the Airedoodle a curly, wiry coat that will need attention often.
It should be professionally groomed frequently, or it will mat and tangle. This will be uncomfortable for your pup. It also means he will be dragging dirt and dander wherever he goes.
Poodles only have one coat while an Airedale has two. The undercoat is softer than the outer coat. The outer coat is rough, wiry, and rigid.
Hand stripping is a technique to groom Airedales with undercoats, which involves pulling loose hair from the dog’s coat with a tiny serrated-edged knife. This level of grooming may be required for your Poodale.
General Care Guidelines
Brush the Airedoodle’s coat regularly to preserve it in good shape. Check the dog’s ears for any wax buildup to avoid infections while you’re at it. Also, be sure to brush their teeth at least every other day to prevent plaque buildup and periodontal disease.
Coat Colors
According to the Airedale breed standard, the proper coat color is either a black saddle with a tan head, ears, and legs or a dark grizzle saddle (black mixed with gray and white) [3]www.akc.org/dog-breeds/airedale-terrier/.
Mainly, the Airedale Terrier has just two coat color combinations: black & tan or black & gold.
The finest and toughest coats are grizzles, which have a mix of red hair, typically located on the back before the tail. There are non-standard black-coated and “red” (tan) Airedale Terriers.
The Poodle has many more possible color variations for their coats. Some of these colors are black, white, brown, apricot, silver, beige, red, blue, and grey. A Poodle’s coat can be mono-colored or a mix of colors.
This implies that the Airedoodle can have a variety of coat colors. The color of the parent’s coats will influence the color of the litter. It is common for Airedoodles to have darker coats similar to their Airedale’s color.
Pictures of Cute Airedoodles
Airedoodle Size
Airedoodle’s size depends on what size Poodle is used for breeding. Oftentimes, Airedales are crossed with the Standard Poodle. For a smaller Airedoodle, the Airedale can be crossed with a Miniature Poodle.
The female Airedoodle is somewhat smaller than the male Airedoodle, but not by much.
Aside from a tiny size variation, the male and female Airedoodles are virtually indistinguishable. This breed’s usual size is from 40 to 65 pounds, with a height of twenty-two to twenty-six inches.
Temperament, Traits, and Characteristics
Below is a visual summary of Airedoodle’s traits and characteristics. The categories are scored using the average rating of both parent breeds. The parent breed data was acquired from the American Kennel Club.
Health Problems
Fortunately, the Airedoodle, like many hybrids, is less prone to genetic diseases. However, as previously said, the breeder determines the quality of your Airedoodle puppy.
As a result, you’ll want to work with a breeder that can show you the parents’ health certifications. This is because you may predict difficulties based on the health concerns in a puppy’s pedigree.
Dermatitis
Dermatitis can occur in any dog. It is mainly the inflammation of the skin [4]firstvet.com/us/articles/dermatitis-in-dogs-causes-symptoms-and-treatment#:~:text=Book%20Video%20Consultation-,What%20is%20dog%20dermatitis%3F,of%20skin%20inflammation%20in%20dogs.. Dermatitis can arise from a food allergy or a flea bite. It can also manifest through a hereditary disease called canine atopic dermatitis.
Terrier breeds can be predisposed to canine atopic dermatitis [5]firstvet.com/us/articles/dermatitis-in-dogs-causes-symptoms-and-treatment#:~:text=Book%20Video%20Consultation-,What%20is%20dog%20dermatitis%3F,of%20skin%20inflammation%20in%20dogs.. Due to the Airedale parent, this is a health issue to be aware of in your Airedoodle.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is widespread in medium-sized to big dogs, such as the Airedoodle. Hip dysplasia is similar to arthritis in that it limits your pet’s mobility [6]petkeen.com/airedoodle/.
Obesity
Like most dogs, obesity can pose a problem for Airedoodles. Since the Airedoodles prefer lots of exercise, it shouldn’t be an issue to worry about so long as you give them proper time to run and play.
Cataracts
Cataracts may develop in the Airedoodle. This condition is caused by water imbalances in the lens of the eye, which results in a clouded lens [7]petkeen.com/airedoodle/.
Bloat
Bloat can be a problem in large dogs. It is an issue to keep an eye out for at all times since it requires immediate medical intervention.
Bloat occurs when your dog’s stomach fills with gas, fluids, or liquids, putting pressure on the internal organs and can cut off blood supply to the heart and rupture the stomach. Drooling, restlessness, pacing, and failed efforts to vomit are just a few of the symptoms that might appear suddenly.
I had a bloat ‘scare’ with my Bernedoodle when she was younger. She was showing the common signs so I took her to the vet immediately. It can be hard to tell if it’s bloat symptoms or something else.
Luckily, a veterinarian was able to identify that it was not bloat. I still keep an eye out for it though!
Food And Diet
Because the Airedoodle is such a huge and active dog, it needs a lot of high-quality dry food to flourish. According to experts, they should be fed between two and a half and three cups of food every day, split into two meals. When assessing dog food, ensure the protein source is identified on the label.
A dog’s stomach isn’t built to digest and ferment carbs (the main ingredient in kibble). Even grain-free food, such as beans, peas, and lentils, sometimes contain high quantities of starchy carbohydrates.
Giving this to a dog puts their system under stress, generating physiologically demanding insulin, glucagon, and cortisol surges throughout the day and inflammation and stress on important organs, which can lead to a variety of major health problems.
As far as possible, it would be best if you tried to avoid foods labeled as containing byproducts; while they are less expensive, they are of poor quality.
Price
Due to the scarcity of Airedale Terriers, Airedoodles are rare designer dog breeds today. As a result, this breed is quite expensive. The average price for one of these puppies sits at approximately $1,000.
FAQs
Now that you know about Airedoodles, it’s time to take a deeper dive and answer some frequently asked questions about this fascinating breed.
Are Airedoodles easy to train?
Airedoodles respond well to obedience training. Even though certain breed members might be obstinate, most breed members are eager to please. Their intellect, paired with this, makes them valuable training partners.
They pick up on tricks rapidly, and once you’ve taught them a couple, you can find yourself teaching them many tricks at once. They can accomplish stunts on the first instruction after a few trials and even do intricate multistep tricks.
As a puppy, work on basic commands like sit, remain, or paw. Allow your dog a treat after it understands what you’re asking of it and completes the trick.
Repeat this training session one or two more times, then attempt it a couple more times every day until your pet has mastered the trick and can perform it on demand.
They must be taught their position in the family and etiquette from a young age since they are huge and strong dogs.
While jumping up may be cute when the Airedoodle puppy is three months old, it is much less charming when they are three years old and capable of knocking a youngster down!
Are Airedoodles good family pets?
Children adore the Airedoodle dog because it enjoys giving and getting attention. Training is vital to educate the youngsters to respect the dog, which will minimize unintentional nips from rough play.
This breed will get along better with dogs and children with plenty of early socialization, but they seldom have any issues in most scenarios.
Airedoodles don’t bark much, so they’re ideal for apartments and cities, as long as they receive sufficient exercise and training.
Are Airedoodles good with other pets?
The Airedoodle likes being around other pets and frequently engages in horseplay and games. They will get along with other pets even better if you socialize them early, and they will have no trouble making pals on walks or when traveling.
However, you should socialize this dog as soon as possible to ensure that it has no trouble establishing friends. Regardless, it would not be the smartest move to keep this dog around rodents due to its Airedale Terrier heritage.
How much exercise does an Airedoodle need?
The Airedoodle, like the Airedale Terrier and Poodle, is a high-energy breed that requires a lot of stimulating exercises to be in good physical and mental shape. Your dog will need daily activity in the shape of a lengthy walk, jog, or trek.
Mental stimulation is important for Airedoodles. Tracking activities, hunting, guarding, competitive obedience, and puzzles are all good ways to ensure your Airedoodle’s mind is at work.
In addition to his training and walks, the Airedoodle ideally needs a home with a fenced-in yard where he can burn off some energy. However, it’s not necessary to have a yard. You can tame those high energy levels in any living situation so long as you dedicate time to play and activities.
Are Airedoodles good guard dogs?
The Airedoodle is one of the most outstanding watchdogs on the earth because of its vigilant attitude. They will scare away any prospective intruder with their loud bark and towering size. They are always on the lookout and can tell whether or not a visitor is welcome.
Are Airedoodles good with kids?
Airedoodles are great with children. Their sweet and gentle nature makes them the big, furry best friend that every kid wants. They are patient and non-aggressive which gives young children the opportunity to bond and learn how to care for an animal.
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- Interested in learning more about Doodles? Check out the complete Doodle breed guide.
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