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Would you love to have an Australian Shepherd or perhaps a Pitbull? Having a hard time choosing which dog breed to go with? We understand it can be challenging to choose one dog breed over another. But what if we told you it was possible to combine the Australian Shepherd and the Pitbull into one dog?
This article is about the Australian Shepherd Pitbull mix! This is a dog that may be just the one you’re looking for!
We’ve put together some information about Australian Shepherd Pitbull mixes. You’ll have the information you need to decide if this is the right dog for you and your family. Let’s get started!
What is an Australian Shepherd Pitbull Mix?
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The Australian Shepherd Pitbull also called the Aussie Pit, is a hybrid dog breed. These amazing dogs were developed by mixing a purebred Australian Shepherd with a purebred Pitbull. We don’t have much information on the history of these hybrid dogs. However, we can learn something about them by taking a quick look at both of the Aussie Pit’s purebred parents.
Quick Overview of the Australian Shepherd
The Australian Shepherd was first developed in the US as a herding dog breed. The dogs have been favorites of farmers and ranchers in the West, where they still work as herding dogs. Australian Shepherds are athletic, highly intelligent dogs that can do various types of work. They have a ton of energy, too!
These dogs excel at work, but they also do great at dog competitions such as agility, flyball, and more. Australian Shepherds also make great guide and hearing assistance dogs and police dogs, and they work with search and rescue teams. This is a highly versatile dog!
Australian Shepherds are very loyal dogs that are protective of their families and homes. They are wary of strangers; however, they do well with kids.
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Ask a Vet Live NowThe Pitbull
The other purebred parent of the Aussie Pit is the Pitbull. The Pitbull was developed in England in the 1800s for bull- and bear-baiting; however, these sports were outlawed by 1835. About this time, the dogs were taken to the US, where they were used by ranchers and farmers. The dogs helped herd cattle and protected the family and their property. The dogs were also cherished family members.
Pitbulls love to be with their families and other people. These dogs are large and confident. They’re also highly intelligent and alert. Being so aware of their surroundings, Pitbulls make excellent watchdogs. The dogs are courageous and will defend their families with their lives.
With parents like these, how could an Aussie Pit go wrong?
The Australian Shepherd Pitbull mix usually stands between 17 to 23 inches tall and weighs between 30 to 85 lbs. They have a life expectancy of 10 to 16 years.
Australian Shepherd Pitbull Mix Appearance
The Aussie Pit is classified as a medium-sized dog that looks like a blend of the Australian Shepherd and the Pitbull. These hybrid dogs usually have coats that come in various colors; they rarely have solid-colored coats. Some of the most common colors of the Aussie Pit are blue merle and red merle. The dogs usually have a cream undercoat.
Aussie Pits are usually very muscular dogs. They usually have short coats with brown or black noses, dark brown or black eyes, and floppy ears. The Aussie Pit has a muzzle that’s in proportion to his skull. And they usually have tails that curve upwards.
However, not all Australian Shepherd Pitbull mixes look alike. There’s no breed standard because these are hybrid dogs. Each dog is unique and inherits random genes from both parents. These are considered to be handsome dogs that have kind, intelligent faces that are sure to grab your heart right away!
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Australian Shepherd Pitbull Mix Temperament
The Aussie Pit is a highly intelligent, protective, loyal, energetic, athletic dog. That’s a lot of adjectives, but they all apply! These dogs thrive when they have a job to do. They also are best for active families and pet parents who can dedicate time for consistent training and socialization.
This is a dog that loves to learn new tricks and even learn tasks to help around the house! They respond best to positive reinforcement methods, with plenty of praise and some treats, too!
Are Australian Shepherd Pitbull Mixes Good Family Companions?
The Aussie Shepherd Pitbull mix can be a great family dog. However, the dog must be properly trained and socialized from a young age. They are very loving and protective of their families and want to be with their humans most of the time.
The dogs can also get along with kids; however, they do best with older kids who understand the need to respect a dog and treat him the right way.
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Do Australian Shepherd Pitbull Mixes Get Along with Other Pets?
The Aussie Pit can have a strong prey drive. For this reason, the dog may chase small pets. And they may not get along well with other dogs.
The Aussie Pit is usually best in a one-dog, one-pet household. In other words, they do best in homes where they are the only pet! And that’s OK; they deserve all the love and attention they receive from their families.
Australian Shepherd Pitbull Mix Food Requirements
The Aussie Pit needs dog food that is specifically formulated for medium-sized active dog breeds. These dogs burn plenty of calories every day with all their activities!
Having said that, some of these dogs also love food and will overeat. In that case, it’s essential to monitor the amount of food the dog eats and ensure they have food that keeps them from gaining extra weight.
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Exercise
The Aussie Pit is a highly energetic dog, so they need at least one to two hours of exercise a day. This dog is no couch potato! That’s what makes these dogs excellent companions for active families. If you love to jog, run, hike, and more, this dog will make a wonderful companion.
The Aussie Pit also enjoys other activities, such as agility, flyball, and obedience classes. And they love to learn, so some of the dog’s exercise can come from training sessions, too.
Summing It Up
The Australian Shepherd Pitbull mix is a hybrid dog that is the result of crossing a purebred Australian Shepherd and a purebred Pitbull. These hybrid dogs are highly intelligent, have a ton of energy and are best for active families that don’t have other pets. This is a dog that will eagerly take all the attention and love you can give!
We’re pretty sure if you adopt an Aussie Pitt that you’ll have a loving, loyal companion that will take you on many adventures over the years to come!
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Julie
Julie is a graduate of the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, where she studied Animal science. Though contrary to the opinion of her parents she was meant to study pharmacy, but she was in love with animals especially cats. Julie currently works in an animal research institute (NGO) in California and loves spending quality time with her little cat. She has the passion for making research about animals, how they survive, their way of life among others and publishes it. Julie is also happily married with two kids.Review symptoms, medications & behavior to keep your pets healthy with a Vet Online in just minutes.
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