Do you ever dream about having the perfect companion dog to take home? Do you wish for a loyal, energetic, and intelligent breed that also has great looks? Then look no further! The Australian Shepherd Pitbull mix is an excellent choice for you and your family.
These designer dogs are a mix between the Australian Shepherd and the American Pitbull Terrier dogs. They are also called the Aussie Pits, Pitbull Australian Shepherd, and others. The purpose of mixing these two popular dog breeds is to develop puppies with their best traits and less of their health concerns.
With the Aussie Pitbull dogs, you will have a playful pet that loves cuddles while remaining alert in case of intruders. They are the perfect companions for families with large households, but they also adapt well in smaller, urban environments along with their active owners.
So are you ready to take the Australian Shepherd Pitbull mix home? Here’s our guide for you on the things you should know about them from their history, appearance, temperament, training, and caring needs.
History of the Australian Shepherd Pitbull Mix
Just like modern designer dogs, there is limited information on how Australian Shepherd Pitbull mixed breeds. To know more about them, you have to look into their parent breeds’ history first – the Australian Shepherd and the American Pitbull Terrier dogs.
The Australian Shepherds had crossed continents before they were recognized as a breed. They started in the Basque region of the Pyrenees Mountains in the early 1800s. They serve as faithful herding dogs that accompanied Basques when they moved to the wide-open spaces of Australia. These dogs were also crossed with other herding dogs like Border Collies. And when the Basques sailed to the United States, these dogs once again joined them. California ranchers assumed that they were Australian canine breeds, thus giving them the name Australian Shepherd dogs.
American Pitbull Terriers, on the other hand, originated in 19th century Great Britain. The Old English Bulldog was bred to create dogs that will excel in bull-baiting sports. Several terrier breeds might have been part of the genetic mix, which eventually led to the Pitbull dogs.
When bloodsports were prohibited, Pitbull owners migrated to the United States along with their Pitbull dogs. Their past as fighting dogs leaves them with a bad reputation. In fact, the American Kennel Club changed their name to the American Staffordshire Terrier in an effort to separate them from its past reputation. However, many Pitbull lovers know that these dogs become the best pets when raised in a loving and caring home.
Australian Shepherd Pit Bull Mix puppies are likely to have existed naturally over the years. But intentional breeding for designer breeds might have started in the late 1990s in North America. Seeing the pleasant temperament and traits of the Australian Shepherd and wanting to have the loyalty and strength of the Pitbull, they wanted to have the best of both breeds, therefore creating the Aussie Pitbull mix.
The Appearance of the Pitbull Australian Shepherd Mix
There is no specific or common appearance when it comes to mixed breeds. The Australian Shepherd Pitbull mix could inherit the looks of the parent where it takes from. In most cases, these mixes are medium-sized dogs with a muscular physique. Let’s explore the parent breeds’ defining characteristics to see what your puppy might look like when it grows up.
The Australian Shepherd stands from 18 to 23 inches tall and weighs from 40 to 65 pounds. They are well-balanced dogs that are animated and agile. They have a solid and muscular form and a deep chest. If your mix takes its appearance from this breed, they may have oval-shaped eyes, which are very arresting and come in brown, amber, or blue shades. These dogs sport a double, medium-length coat. It can be straight or wavy and has a dense but soft undercoat.
More so, Australian Shepherd dogs can be black, red, red merle, or blue merle. According to AKC, these dogs can have a natural bobbed or a docked tail. However, docking a dog’s tails is illegal in various countries such as the UK and Australia.
On the other hand, Pitbull dogs are strong and muscular. It stands from 17 to 19 inches tall and weighs around 40 to 90 pounds. Your mix can inherit these dog’s broad skulls, pronounced cheeks, and well-defined jaws. Its wide-set and dark eyes that sit low in the head are also its most prominent features. Pitbull’s ears are cropped, pointing straight up. But many owners also leave it naturally folding over. Its coat is short and stiff, and it comes in various colors ranging from merle, brindle, liver, and others.
The Personality of Pitbull Australian Shepherd Mix
People who are lucky to have Australian Shepherd Pitbull mix find them to be incredibly loyal and alert. These dogs are very energetic, and owners will have their hands full with a pet that wants lots of play and exercise.
These mixed breeds may show some herding instincts or prey drive. But Aussie Shepherd Pitbull mix is said to be easy to train and are highly intelligent. With early and consistent training, you can curb unwanted habits such as their prey drive instincts and heel nipping.
Australian Shepherd Pitbull mix dogs are also prone to developing destructive behavior when bored or left unattended for an extended period. Thus, be sure to give them plenty of playtimes, affection, and early training to prevent these habits. On the other hand, these dogs love to please their humans and are very affectionate. Their personality ranges from being couch potatoes to being goofy and playful the next minute. Typically, these dogs can get along with other pets. But because of their spunky and herding nature, it is sometimes best to be the only pet in the household.
The Australian Shepherd Pitbull Mix Temperament
When it comes to temperament, both Australian Shepherd and Pitbull dogs are loyal and loving to their family. However, these two tend to be aggressive.
The Australian Shepherd can show aggression to strangers, while the Pitbull’s aggression is directed towards other dogs. Still, it does not mean that their cross will be antagonistic pets. It is best to expose and socialize them to various people and pets to grow up and become well-behaved adults.
Here are a few more facts about the temperaments of the Australian Shepherd and the Pitbull.
The Australian Shepherd has a strong work ethic and does well for homes or farms with sheep to herd. But if you don’t have anything to do, they can become bored and develop destructive behavior. Their herding instinct may become a problem if you have other pets or children at home too.
They are an intelligent breed that can serve as excellent watchdogs or play service roles. Additionally, they thrive on human companionship, and since they can be tireless pets who need to be around people most of the time, they might not be the right choice for inexperienced owners.
Meanwhile, Pitbull is known to be loving, loyal, and full of fun. They need plenty of human companionships and should not be left alone for long periods. Pitbulls are patient with children and are friendly to strangers. However, they can be aggressive towards other dogs and pets.
The Pitbull Australian Shepherd Mix Pet Health and Care Needs
In terms of health conditions, the Australian Shepherd Pit Bull mix is also predisposed to the same conditions that its parent breeds have. Most of them are generally healthy, but as pet owners, you should know about these potential issues they may get. It is also crucial to maintain good care and regular veterinary check-up to prevent and give them immediate treatment.
Some of the health problems to look out for in your mix include the following:
- Hip Dysplasia
- Elbow Dysplasia
- Cataracts
- Eye Anomaly
- Epilepsy
Regular veterinary checks can help detect these health issues early, and they can develop a care routine that will keep your pet healthy.
Additionally, Australian Shepherds Pitbull mixes are prone to weight gain despite having high-energy levels. Keep them physically active to keep them on a healthy weight to prevent health problems. Check their ears for debris or pests and clean them as recommended by the vet. Nail trimming twice a week can be done when it starts clicking against the floor. If you are wary of doing this, ask for help from a professional groomer.
Also, please keep your dog’s oral health on the line by brushing them regularly. Your main concern with it comes to your Australian Shepherd Pitbull Mix is their eye care. These dogs are prone to several eye-related health issues including the Collie eye anomaly.
Feeding Your Australian Shepherd Pitbull Mix
Ideally, a diet for an Australian Shepherd Pit Bull cross should have a formulation fit for a medium to large size dog with high energy levels. These dogs quickly gain weight when overfed, thus keeping them on a regular feeding schedule and avoiding leaving food during the day is recommended.
Your Aussie Pit mixed breed has dietary needs that change as they grow from puppy to adulthood and their senior years. Consult your veterinarian for recommendations on your pet’s diet. There are plenty of variations for individual dogs, such as their weight, health, and energy levels.
Coat Colors and Grooming Needs of Your Australian Shepherd Pitbull Mix
Like any mixed breeds, your Australian Shepherd Pitbull mix may inherit the coat and color from one or a mix of its parents. Most Aussie Pits come in cream, blue merle, red merle, and black. They can have solid-colored or mixed colored coats.
Often, these dogs have short double coats; thus, they are not allergy-friendly. There are also Aussie Pits with longer coats, but they are not as expected. In any way, these two types of coats are easy to groom. You only need to give it a good brush once a week to keep it clean and tangle-free. If your mix has a double coat, you have to blow it when the season changes. Lastly, Aussie Pits are not suitable for places with extreme weather because of their shorter coats.
Training Your Australian Shepherd Pitbull Mix
All dogs benefit from early socialization and training along with positive reinforcement. The Australian Shepherd and Pitbull dogs are both intelligent and eager to please their dog owner. Thus, it can help make training easy for some owners.
However, it would be best to consider its parent breeds’ strength and vitality and allow them to undergo puppy training classes.
These mixed breeds should not be left without companions for extended periods because they tend to develop destructive behavior. These are people-oriented dogs who love running, walking, and playing with their family. Your
Aussie Pit will also enjoy canine events that involve agility, herding, and obedience shows.
Exercise Requirements
Expect your Australian Shepherd Pitbull cross to have very high exercise needs. It takes this trait from its Australian Shepherd parent, who is a working dog that guards and herds sheep all day. Taking them for long walks or hikes is crucial in keeping their energy minimum once you return home.
Exercise is also essential in taming their aggressive personality and if you want to have a docile companion. Some activities that you can do with your Aussie Pit include Frisbee games and running. Just remember not to tie them outside or leave them alone when you are outdoors. It may upset them and turn them into more aggressive dogs.
Do They Do Well With Children and Other Pets?
Despite being loving and patient pets, the Australian Shepherd Pitbull Mix may not realize how big or bulky they are. These dogs are also very playful. Conserving their size, smaller children can get hurt easily. And if you have kids, teach them how to approach and play with a bigger dog properly. Training your Aussie Pit mix not to jump and nip on the heels will also keep playtime safer. Additionally, always keep your kids’ interactions with pets supervised.
When it comes to other pets and dogs in the household, the Australian Shepherd Pitbull cross can get along well with other animals when introduced slowly and calmly. Socialize them early for this process to go on smoothly. A Pitbull Australian Shepherd mix is said to take up plenty of energy and attention, so it may prefer to be a solo pet in the household.
Still, many Australian Shepherd Pit mix get along well with other dogs and cats. It comes down to socialization, training, and luck in the traits your pet inherits from its parent.
Does the Australian Shepherd Pitbull Mix Make Great Family Pets?
The Aussie Pit mixed breeds are ideal pets for an active family. They are lively and exuberant canines that need plenty of space to move around and have high energy levels. Though they go along well with children and other pets, they might be best as solo pets because of their energy and attention needs. First-time dog owners and those with small children should probably consider a different breed.
Rescue Groups
The Pitbull Australian Shepherd mix dogs are recent designer breeds; thus, finding a specific rescue center may be challenging. But if you want to adopt one, you can check out the nearest Australian Shepherd or American Pitbull Terrier breed-specific centers. Often, these shelters care for mixes too. You might find the Aussie Pit of your dreams from them. Some sites to explore are the Aussie And Me Animal Rescue and the Save A Bull Rescue.
Finding an Australian Shepherd Pitbull Mix Puppy
Mixed breed dogs offer the best of two unique breeds in terms of temperament, appearance, and health. And while crossbreeding different breeds is a controversial topic, many mix puppies are growing in popularity.
The Australian Shepherd and Pitbull cross can be considered as a designer breed. They are quite rare, and puppies’ prices can vary widely from $500 to $1,500. If you are intent on finding a puppy to take home, avoid puppy mills and unethical breeders. These venues often subject parent breeds and puppies to physical and emotional neglect.
When searching for an Aussie Pit mix puppy, go for ethical breeders and see the parent breeds’ condition first. They should also provide you with health records and clearances of the parent breeds and the puppies you want to buy.
Conclusion
The Australian Shepherd Pitbull mix is a unique combination of two loyal, loving, affectionate, and active breeds. They have excellent physical attributes, intelligence, and personality. But like many other mixes, Aussie Pits are also prone to health issues common to the Australian Shepherd and the Pitbull.
If you are an experienced pet owner with plenty of time and space for dog training and exercise, then these dogs will be an excellent choice for you. On the other hand, first-time dog owners and those with small children may consider other breeds instead.
However, if you feel that you and your family can provide all its needs and keep it happily content, then go and get them! Australian Shepherd mix will surely be an active, loyal, and intelligent addition to your family.
Be sure to check out other amazing Pitbull mixed breeds:
