Airedoodle 101: An Intro to the Airedale Terrier-Poodle Mix

In search of an adorable dog who is fab and fun and can keep up with you and your family’s very active lifestyle? Look no further than the lesser-known Airedoodle. These unique, attractive pups are not just happy and full of life; they are also super smart and totally willing to please, making them one of the easiest to train canines around. 

If you’ve found yourself on this page, likely, you’ve already done a fair bit of research on the best dog to fit in with your family. Airedoodles, as relatively new Doods, aren’t really on many people’s radars just yet, so if you’ve got this far, then lucky you – you’re in for a treat! However, if you’re still on the fence, here you will find plenty of information about these affectionate pups to help you decide whether or not an Airedoodle is the dog for you.

Table of Contents

• What Exactly is an Airedoodle?
• 3 Interesting Facts About Airedale Terrier-Poodle Mixes
• Airedoodle Physical Appearance
• Airedoodle Size
• Personality & Temperament
• Airedoodle Variations & Generations
• Health
• Airedoodle Exercise & Training
• Coat & Grooming
• Where Can You Get Airedoodle Puppies?
• Airedoodle Frequently Asked Questions:
• Final Thoughts

What Exactly is an Airedoodle?

The Airedoodle is a hybrid cross of the Airedale Terrier and the (usually Standard) Poodle. Airedoodles are quickly gaining in popularity among those who manage to track them down due to their friendly, outgoing natures and unique appearance. However, not so much is known about these brand-new hybrids. So, to understand a bit more about what to expect from them, we need to take a look at the two breeds that went into their creation.

You’re probably pretty familiar with Poodles already. These iconic canines, synonymous with France, actually originate from Germany. While many may think these regal pups were bred to live a life of luxury and nothing more, Poodles were initially bred as retriever dogs. They are used for this purpose to this day. In fact, even their very unique haircuts are functional, protecting their vital organs from freezing water as they dive into lakes and streams to fetch the waterfowl their hunter owners shoot down.

Airedale Terriers, on the other hand, are much lesser known dogs – although they also have a royal link. They have been dubbed “King of the Terriers.” However, this has nothing to do with their looks or personality. It simply refers to the fact that they are the largest of this category of pups. Bred in England in the 19th century, Airedales were also used in hunting for the reasons of tracking and for killing vermin. They are now classified as both hunting and sporting dogs and have the energy and smarts that go right along with that label.

3 Interesting Facts About Airedale Terrier-Poodle Mixes

1. With their two hunting dog parents, Airedoodles are brilliant and active dogs. They will need plenty to keep them both physically and mentally occupied each day. 
2. Airedale Terriers aren’t much heard of in the States, so your Airedoodle puppy will likely be one of a kind in your neighborhood and beyond, attracting a lot of attention, for sure. 
3. As newbie Doodles, there aren’t yet many size variations or different generations of these dogs, but we are sure people will start to catch on to just how amazing they are soon enough. 

Airedoodle Physical Appearance

Airedoodles often have a square-shaped build, a long snout, a rounded head, and long, floppy ears. The Airedoodle is typically a medium-to-large-sized dog (there are smaller versions, which we will cover in a bit) with a robust and sturdy appearance. However, it’s tricky to pin down just what they will look like. This is because Airedoodles are mostly first-generation dogs at present, so they could take after either their Poodle parent more or their Airedale parent more.

What we do know is that while the Poodle comes in many colors, the Airedale Terrier is limited to black and tan or black and gold. This means that first-generation Airedoodles will more often be one or the other of these. As the breed becomes well-known enough to prompt further generations, it will be more likely that they will be available in a greater assortment of colors and patterns.

Airedoodle Size

At present, Airedoodles come in two distinct sizes: Standard and Mini. The Standard Airedoodle weighs around 40 to 70 pounds and stands between 23 to 26 inches to the shoulder. The Mini Airedoodle weighs approximately 20 to 40 pounds and stands between 12 to 20 inches to the shoulder. Males are usually slightly larger than females, but this difference isn’t particularly significant.

	Mini Airedoodle	Standard Airedoodle
Weight	20-40 pounds	40-70 pounds
Height*	12-20 inches	23-26 inches
Age at Full-Grown	11-13 months	12.5-16 months

*A dog’s height is measured from the withers, which is the highest part of their shoulder blades.

You can expect your Airedoodle puppy to reach their mature size from 11 to 16 months, with smaller dogs obviously getting there before larger ones. For more exact information on this, as well as details on how you might expect your puppy to grow, check out Airedoodle Size Guide: Size Chart & Growth Patterns.

Personality & Temperament

Airedoodles are social, friendly, intelligent, and energetic dogs. They are so full of life that it may feel like they are always up to some kind of mischief, but they mean well at heart. They also tend to adore their owners, who they are incredibly loyal to. As they prefer the company of people to being alone, they can suffer from separation anxiety if left on their own for extended periods of the day.

Airedoodles also make excellent family pets. As you can imagine, they love both giving and receiving attention. They are gentle and patient with even the smallest of children, although their energy might be too much for these to take at times. It’s probably best for these dogs to be homed with older children and teenagers who can both dote on them and help keep them entertained. 

These guys also get along well with most other dogs, and barking is unlikely to be a problem even when they don’t. Airedoodles are not known to be mouthy. Early socialization can help so much with helping your pal remain calm in the face of new people, animals, and situations. However, their terrier nature can mean they chase small pets, so we don’t recommend letting them anywhere near your hamster or gerbil. 

Airedoodle Variations & Generations

As touched on above, you’re unlikely to find much beyond first-generation Airedoodles at present. There simply isn’t enough demand for these darling dogs… yet. However, on the off chance you do, here is a full rundown of the different combinations of these Doods and what they mean in terms of their genetics:

	1st Parent	2nd Parent	% Airedale Terrier*	% Poodle*
F1 Airedoodle (first-generation)	Airedale Terrier	Poodle	50%	50%
F1B Airedoodle (first-generation backcross)	F1 Airedoodle	Poodle	25%	75%
F1BB Airedoodle (first-generation backcross backcross)	F1B Airedoodle	Poodle	12.5%	87.5%
F2 Airedoodle (second-generation)	F1 Airedoodle	F1 Airedoodle	50%	50%
F2B Airedoodle (second-generation backcross)	F1 Airedoodle	F1B Airedoodle	37.5%	62.5%
F2B Airedoodle (alternate cross)	F2 Airedoodle	Poodle	25%	75%
F3 / Multigen Airedoodle	F1B Airedoodle or higher	F1B Airedoodle or higher	Varies	Varies

Be aware, though, that just because a dog has more of one breed in them than the other doesn’t necessarily mean they will inherit their traits. Genes are complicated to understand and aren’t always expressed in the expected way. Even breeders with a lot of experience can struggle to know that much about what their puppies will look like or be like.

Health

Based on what we know about their parents, we can presume that the average life expectancy for Airedoodles is between 10 and 15 years. As smaller dogs outlive larger ones (sometimes quite significantly so), you can expect a Mini Airedoodle to be around longer than a Standard one. 

The other good news is that, like most hybrid dogs, the Airedoodle is less susceptible to genetic disorders. However, the quality of your specific puppy will depend very much on their breeder, so it’s best to opt for a high-quality one. Make sure to check the health certificates of both parent dogs to see that there are no issues you might be faced with later in your pet’s life (more on this later). 

Yet, unfortunately, this doesn’t mean your hound is entirely immune to every canine condition. Alongside genetics, certain environmental factors can lead to health issues too. This includes the wrong type of diet, a lack of appropriate exercise, and situations that place these dogs at risk of injury somehow. Luckily many of these can be avoided. 

One condition commonly seen in both Poodles and Airedale Terriers, and so we can assume in their offspring, is dermatitis. This itchy skin condition is linked to the wiry nature of the Airedoodle’s coat. Excess licking and scratching are signs that your dog is suffering from this particular problem. 

Hip dysplasia is also prevalent in Airedoodles. Dysplasia is usually something that develops with age. It resembles arthritis and can make it tricky for your doggo to move about, especially lying down and getting back up again. This issue is more likely to rear its ugly head if your pup is slightly heavier than they should be. So make sure you are feeding your dog a top-quality food. 

Airedoodle Exercise & Training

Airedoodles have a strong desire to learn and also to please, which makes training them a breeze as long as you are firm, consistent, and make use of the best methods. We like positive reinforcement techniques where treats, toys, and praise are used to reward good or desired behavior, making it more likely to be repeated in the future. As extremely intelligent and quick learners Airedoodles will quickly find ways of communicating with you and letting you know just what they want. Still, if you’re a newbie owner or need help with a specific issue, we recommend checking out Baxter and Bella’s Online Puppy School.

In terms of exercise, we mentioned once or twice that Airedoodles are VERY energetic hounds. With two active working dog parents, they are full of life and always itching for some action. They love to play games just as much as they adore looooong walks. This makes them perfect companion pets for families and individuals who love to spend time in the great outdoors and who are looking for a pup to go on plenty of adventures with. 

These dogs are also great candidates for canine sports and will excel at most activities. Getting them involved in this type of training will do wonders for Airedoodles because they are very susceptible to becoming bored if they aren’t given a lot of attention. Of course, the problem with a bored dog is that they are more likely to exhibit unwanted, destructive, and perhaps even aggressive behaviors. So keep them busy as much as you can – having plenty of toys about the house for them is a good idea. 

Coat & Grooming

Poodles and Airedale Terriers have quite distinct coat types. Their Airedoodle offspring can inherit either one of these or even a unique mix of the two. Because of that, Airedoodles will either have curly, wavy, or straight coats. The type of hair your fur-baby ends up with will dictate what grooming issues to expect and how much time you will need to either spend brushing them yourself or how often you will be heading off to the groomers.

Poodles have curly, soft, single-layered coats that are much in demand for their so-called hypoallergenic properties. In fact, these are low-shed rather than no-shed dogs, and that comes with problems of its own. When Poodles lose hair, it can easily get tangled up in the rest of their coat, causing knots, tangles, and, if you’re not careful, impossible-to-deal-with matting. For this reason, if your pup has ended up with a Poodle coat, they will require daily…yes, DAILY brushing. You will also need to take them more often for a trim.

Airedale Terriers, in contrast, have short, wiry double-layered coats that do indeed shed. Your pal will likely lose their short, dense undercoat with the changing of the temperature (and many days in between). This can be a real problem for some pet parents. Also, something that’s easily mitigated with regular brushing – say two or three times a week. You’re unlikely to need to shave or even really trim your pet’s coat if this is the one they have. You just might need to take care of the longer hair that can grow around their face, legs, and rear end. 

Finally, the third coat type is a wavy mix of the two – it can be long or short, soft, or wiry…pretty much anywhere on the scale between the two parents. This means you are really going to have to judge for yourself how often it will need brushing, washing, trimming, etc.

Where Can You Get Airedoodle Puppies?

Airedoodle puppies typically cost around $1,000 at present, which puts them at the lower end of the Doodle price tag. However, they can be pretty tough to get hold of, being that they are not one of the most well-known or popular Doodle types. For this reason, you will likely need to hunt around for quite a bit to track down a breeder that specializes in Airedoodles.

The good news is that they are far less likely to be the focus of scammers, backyard breeders, and puppy mills – all of whom should be avoided like the plague. Scammers will take your money without even having dogs, and the latter two will provide puppies that are in poor condition. These are the red flags to be on the lookout for to ensure you don’t fall foul of any of these. 

With just a little research, you should be able to dig out a responsible breeder where you can purchase a super healthy puppy with excellent bloodlines. This will make all the difference in the long run. Start by checking out breeder directories from trusted expert dogs sites and reading plenty of online reviews (from third-party sites) to find the best facilities in your area. 

Airedoodle Frequently Asked Questions:

Final Thoughts

If you have come across the active Airedoodle and are intrigued by these distinguished dogs, then you might be wondering if they are the right kind of Doodle for you. If you have plenty of energy and time to take your new pup on long walks and care for their lovely coat, this could be a match made in heaven. However, if you spend most of your day out of the house, one of these loving, loyal dogs may not be for you. Only you can know what will work best in your home. Hopefully, though, the details provided here can help you make the right decision for both you and your potential future pet.