The Australian Shepherd Pit Bull mix is one of the most lovable and loyal breeds that you will ever come across. At the same time, this mixed breed can seem like a handful to the uninformed owner. If you want to know if this breed is right for you, keep reading to find out the best ways to introduce an Aussie Pit into your family.
What are the Basic Characteristics of an Australian Shepherd Pit Bull?
- Height: 17 – 23 inches
- Weight: 30 – 80lbs
- Coat: Shorthair, double-coated
- Level of Affection: Highly affectionate
- Kid-Friendly: Yes, when introduced properly
- Dog Friendly: Yes, if socialized at a young age
- Cat Friendly: Maybe, if introduced at a young age
- Preferred Climate: Moderate climates
- Shedding Levels: High
- Trainability: High
- Potential to Bark/Howl: Low
What Do Australian Shepherd Pit Bulls Look Like?
Although it can be a toss-up with the exact features and head shape of this mixed breed, you can guarantee that they end up looking pretty cute. Here is some insight into the size and coat of the Aussie Pit:
How Big Will Your Australian Shepherd Pit Bull Mix Get?
It is likely that your Aussie Pit will be a medium-sized dog. They are of average height and have a muscular build. Naturally, there is always a chance that your Australian Shepherd Pit Bull may be a bit smaller or bigger than anticipated.
What Kind of Coat Will Your Australian Shepherd Pit Bull Have?
Your Aussie Pit may have short hair and not look particularly fluffy, but don’t be fooled by this. This mixed breed will almost always have a double coat. Thus, you will need to deal with some excess fur.
As for the color and pattern, there are different potential combinations. While these pups can have a coat that is a solid color, it is far more likely to be a mix of colors. This can consist of black, cream, blue merle, and red merle.
What Kind of Temperament Does an Australian Shepherd Pit Bull Have?
You will be hard-pressed to find a mixed breed that is quite so dedicated and loyal to their family. They are affectionate and love to cuddle. You shouldn’t be surprised if your pooch follows you from one room to another.
Still, be aware that this pup’s mood can change on a dime. They can turn from love bugs to a bouncing ball of energy in no time at all. So, watch out for this.
It is important to realize that this is an incredibly high-energy dog. To add to this, they are also quite intelligent and need to be mentally stimulated as well.
As long as your pooch gets enough exercise, they are bound to be relatively calm and well-behaved. However, if they aren’t given proper attention, they will become quite bored and, in turn, rather destructive.
It should also be noted that while Aussie Pits are great with their immediate family, they can be reserved or even aggressive towards strangers. This means that proper and early socialization is required with this mixed breed.
As for kids, Aussie Pits get along great with children. However, they are high-energy pups and considering their size, it is possible for playtime to get a little rough. Therefore, you should always be around when this pooch is with kids.
To add to this, some Aussie Pits may retain their herding instincts. With training, this can be handled. However, around small or young children, these instincts can kick in. Thus, this mixed breed is better-suited to households with older children.
Aussie Pits will want to monopolize your attention. Due to this, they don’t always get on well in a home with other dogs. Nevertheless, if you socialize your pup when they are young, they may learn to live with other dogs.
With cats, the situation is a little trickier. These dogs have a high prey drive. Thus, they have a natural tendency to chase after smaller creatures. Once again, early socialization and proper introduction may help to overcome these instincts.
What are the Health Issues Associated with an Australian Shepherd Pit Bull Mix?
Mixed breeds often have the benefit of being healthier than their full-bred counterparts. Nevertheless, they can still be afflicted by some of the hereditary diseases of their parent breeds. Here is some insight into the health of an Aussie Pit:
What is the Life Expectancy of an Australian Shepherd Pit Bull?
The good news is that this mixed breed tends to have a longer lifespan. On average, Aussie Pits can be expected to live between 10 and 16 years. This means that you get to enjoy your best friend for quite a long while.
Naturally, nutrition and proper veterinary care can play a significant role in ensuring that your pup can live to a ripe old age.
What are Common Health Issues Experienced by an Australian Shepherd Pit Bull?
Some of the main diseases to watch out for include:
- Collie Eye Anomaly
- Hip dysplasia
- Cataracts
- Epilepsy
Choosing a puppy from a good breeder can help to lower the risks of your dog developing certain hereditary conditions. This is because these individuals will make an effort to research both parents and their predecessors to ensure that none of them displayed symptoms of these diseases.
At the same time, regular check-ups can also help to keep your Aussie Pit in peak health. This will allow your vet to pick up on any early symptoms that can be treated to help minimize the damage of the disease.
What are the Nutrition Requirements for an Australian Shepherd Pit Bull?
When your Aussie Pit is a puppy, you simply need to select a reputable dog food brand known for using high-quality sources. Make sure that your pooch is getting the perfect balance of protein, fat, carbs, and minerals to support its growth and development.
When your dog has reached adulthood, you can then select a dog food based on its physique and energy requirements. This typically means choosing a dog food that caters to a medium-sized, high-energy breed. It is a good idea to consult with your vet, as they will determine if your pup has any special dietary needs.
Aussie Pits are prone to overeating and becoming obese. This isn’t a good thing as the additional weight can put stress on their joints, increasing the risk of disorders like dysplasia.
The easiest way to prevent this is to stick to the calorie recommendations for your dog’s weight and size. Avoid feeding them more and keep the treats to a minimum as well.
How Much Exercise Does an Australian Shepherd Pit Bull Need?
As mentioned, this is a high-energy breed. Therefore, it is imperative that your Aussie Pit gets as much physical activity as they need. This has a few advantages. First, it prevents your dog from becoming obese. Second, it ensures that your pup doesn’t get bored and destroy your home.
Make sure that your Aussie Pit gets at least one hour of exercise each day. If possible, try to break this up into two or more shorter intervals. Although your dog should have at least one long walk, don’t forget to work on other activities as well.
Playing Frisbee, fetch, and other games with your dog will guarantee that are not just entertained, but also well and truly spent.
How Do You Groom an Australian Shepherd Pit Bull?
It is likely that your Aussie Pit will have a double coat. While this does offer more insulation, it also means that your pooch is going to shed a bit more than other breeds.
The good news, though, is that is fairly easy to keep your pooch well-groomed. Brushing them once or twice a week should keep the shedding to a minimum. For the most part, you can use a slicker brush. Using an undercoat rake can help to get rid of any loose fur in the second layer.
These dogs will enter one or more shedding seasons throughout the year. At this point, there is going to be a lot more fur around your home. Fortunately, you can curb this by switching to brushing them every day during this period.
You may also want to use a de-shedding brush to get rid of any loose fur. Make sure to use one that is most suitable for the length of your dog’s coat.
What is the Best Living Environment for Australian Shepherd Pit Bulls?
Aussie Pits do best in moderate climates. Yes, they do have a double coat, but their fur isn’t overly thick and tends to be quite short. Thus, these dogs don’t function well in places that are extremely cold. If you live in such an area, make sure that your pup is adequately protected from the cold when you head out.
At the same time, they aren’t all that well-suited to extremely hot conditions either. They need to stay indoors when the temperature gets very high and should be close to a fan throughout the day. Due to their short fur, you may need to apply some kind of sun protection if you will spend an extended period of time in the sun.
As for their living space, Aussie Pits will not do well in an apartment. Although they aren’t very big, they do have an enormous amount of energy. Due to this, they will feel constricted living in a smaller space and this may cause them to become more destructive.
These dogs do best in medium to large houses, preferably with a backyard for them to run around in. That doesn’t mean you can’t live in the middle of a city with Aussie Pits. However, you should be prepared to take them out several times a day and to make lots of trips to the dog park as well.
How Can You Train an Australian Shepherd Pit Bull?
The great thing about Aussie Pits is that they are highly trainable. This is an intelligent breed that loves to learn new tricks and commands. With consistent training, you will have a very well-behaved pup on your hands.
You should be mindful of the fact that Aussie Pits love to please. Due to this, positive reinforcement works well with these dogs. Make sure to steer clear of punishments or anything else that could make them lose engagement with the training.
These dogs can be rather stubborn and have dominant personalities. As such, you – and anyone else in your family – need to establish a leadership role when your dog is still a puppy. Also, socializing and training at a young age will help to nip bad habits in the bud.
Where Can You Find Australian Shepherd Pit Bulls?
It has already been established that it is important to find a good breeder for this mixed breed. As such, you should make it a point to do your research and only choose a reputable breeder. This can increase the chances of you having a healthy and better-behaved pup.
Can You Adopt an Australian Shepherd Pit Bull?
Finding an Aussie Pit in a shelter isn’t going to be easy. However, if you narrow your search to shelters that specifically take in Australian Shepherd or Pit Bull mixes, you may find yourself in luck.
FAQs
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about Australian Shepherd Pit Bulls:
Are Australian Shepherd Pit Bulls Good Dogs?
With the proper training and socialization, this mixed breed can become one of the best dogs that you will own.
How Big Does an Australian Shepherd Pit Bull Mix Get?
An Aussie Pit will grow to a size that can be considered a medium breed.
How Much is an Aussie Pit?
The price will vary according to your breeder, availability, and where you live. On average, though, a puppy can cost between $600 and $900.
This is what you need to know about Australian Shepherd Pit Bulls. Now that you know exactly what to expect, you can determine if this pup will be a good fit for your household.
