Pitbulls are known for being among the most dangerous of all dog breeds. Poodles, on the other hand, vary in personality from the intelligent and aloof Standard Poodle to the more playful and affectionate Toy Poodle. With so many differences both in terms of personality and physical appearance, it is hard to imagine what you may expect from a Pit Boodle mixed doggy.
A Pit Boodle is a mixed dog breed developed from a Pitbull and any of the three variations of the Poodle breed. The size and temperament you may expect from this mix depend mainly on the type of Poodle used as well as the dominance of genetics. However, Pit Boodles can generally be described as fluffy, mid-sized dogs with friendly personalities and unwavering loyalty.
Pitbull mixes, including the Pit Boodle, require a lot of understanding for adequate care. Let’s take a look at what makes them special as well as all the needs you have to prepare for.
What Is A Pitbull Poodle Mix Called?
A mix between a Pitbull and a Poodle is known as a Pit Boodle.
These doggies are very unpredictable when it comes to aesthetics as the Pitbull and Poodle are built very differently.
However, there are a few traits that may be predictable to give you an idea of what to expect from your Boodle puppies. Here are some of the most important of these.
Size
The size of a Pit Boodle varies greatly depending on whether it was a standard, miniature, or toy Poodle that was used in the mix. They can be as small as 30 lbs and less than 15 inches or as large as 85 lbs and 20 to 25 inches.
Build
This is difficult to predict as the Boodle pup may either take after the Pittie or the Poodle. If they go for the former, they will have a strong, muscular build with a bit of a boxy silhouette.
They are generally proportional in nature but may have slightly shorter legs than other dogs in the medium dog breed category.
On the other hand, if the Boodle takes after the Poodle parent’s build, then it will have a leaner form and long, skinny legs.
Coat type
More often than not, Pit Boodles take after the Poodle’s curly, thick coat. The curls may not be as tight as those of the Poodle parent. In very rare cases, the Pitbull Poodle mix will take after the Pittie’s short, smooth coat.
These coats come in a variety of colors including red, black, brown, and even in Brindle or Merle patterns.
How Long Do Pitbull Poodle Mixes Live?
Pit Boodles can live for 8 to 15 years.
The size of the mixed doggy plays a huge role in determining their lifespan with smaller mixes living longer than their larger counterparts. The health of the Pit Boodle also plays a huge role in determining just how long the dog will live.
In this case, here are some of the most common health issues you may have to deal with when taking care of a Pitbull Poodle mix.
Addison’s Disease
Addison’s disease is very common in Poodles and may be passed down to their offspring even in crossbreed situations. In this condition, the Boodle’s adrenal glands fail to produce enough cortisol which is the body’s stress hormone.
You may notice a number of symptoms including lethargy, diarrhea, vomiting, and weight loss.
Skin Infections And Allergies
Skin diseases are more common with Boodle’s that take after the Poodle’s thick, curly coat. They tend to be prone to allergic reactions to irritation by parasites like fleas that thrive in thick coverage.
They are also very likely to develop skin infections as a long-term consequence of these reactions.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is common in both Pitbulls and Poodles which makes it a high-risk condition for the Pit Boodle unless breeders practice selective breeding to get rid of the trait.
If lifestyle changes are not made early, the Boodle can very easily develop arthritis and other complications to their mobility.
Epilepsy
Hereditary epilepsy results in frequent seizures that may or may not have triggers. With consistent medication and a good vet visit routine, the dog should be able to live a somewhat normal life.
How To Take Care Of Pitbull Poodle Mixes?
Pitbull Poodles are high maintenance in many ways.
Many of their health conditions require lifestyle modifications to manage adequately. Establishing a good care routine is also great for the dog as it helps make them feel safe and loved.
If this is your first time handling a Pit Boodle, here is all you need to know about how to take care of them.
Diet Needs
Pit Boodles are very active dogs and need the energy and muscle power to keep up with this lifestyle. That is why you need to ensure that they are eating only the best quality dog food with the right proportion of nutrients.
We recommend Pet Plate for dog food that is made with human-grade ingredients for quality and a good balance of micronutrients and macronutrients.
Supplementation Needs
Health issues like hip dysplasia that the Boodle may require additional nutritional support that a regular dog food diet does not always adequately provide. This is especially the case with rare vitamins, minerals, and compounds like omega oils, chondroitin, and glucosamine.
It is, therefore, best to supplement the pooch’s diet with these micronutrients and compounds for a truly balanced diet.
Exercise Needs
Exercise is an important part of raising a happy and healthy Pit Boodle. They particularly enjoy any activities that will tap into their chasing instincts which is why ball launchers are a worthy investment.
For this, we recommend iFetch Interactive Ball Launchers for Dogs. With its compact design and adjustable launch distance, you can very comfortably use it both indoors and outdoors.
Are Pitbull Poodle Mixes Easy To Train? Temperaments Of Pitbull Poodle Mixes
Pit Boodles are the result of a very unusual pairing when it comes to temperament. On the one hand, Pitbulls are very passionate, showing extremes of personality traits with unwavering loyalty and love on one end and aggressive tendencies on the other.
Poodles, on the other hand, are a more mellow breed and may even come off as aloof. They are even-tempered and very rarely get involved in confrontations. So what can you expect from your Pit Poodle mix? Here are a few ways to describe the mix.
Loyal
Pit Poodle mixes are very loyal little doggies. They love their human companions and enjoy few things more than getting to spend time with them. This makes Pit Boodles great options for solo dog owners.
Playful
Pitbull Poodle mixes will turn anything into a game if they can get away with it. If they do not get an avenue to work out all this energy, the Boodle may get destructive.
The best way to prevent this is to set aside at least 1 to 2 hours of playtime every day. Even a simple walk around the block will do wonders.
Mistrusting Of Strangers
Both the Poodle and Pitbull dog breeds are known for their mistrust of strangers which is a trait that is passed on to the Boodle mix. Early socialization is absolutely necessary to teach them how to be comfortable with unfamiliar environments or people.
Intelligent
Pit Poodle mixes are also very intelligent dogs. They get this mostly from their very intelligent Poodle parent. This trait makes them very easy to train and live with.
Are Pitbull Poodle Mixes Hypoallergenic? Grooming Tips For Pitbull Poodle Mixes
Whether or not a Pit Poodle mix is hypoallergenic depends on the coat characteristics that they inherit. In a nutshell, the poodle’s coat type has hypoallergenic features while the Pitbull’s coat sheds moderately too heavily.
The type of coat also determines the coat care routine that you will have to adopt for your Boodle pooch. Here are a few grooming tips that will come in handy.
Find A Deshedding Routine That Works For Your Boodle
If the Boodle has a short, straight, and smooth coat, you should brush them 2 to 3 times a week or more when they are shedding heavily. If the coat is long and curly, you may get away with brushing only once or twice a week as Boodles in this case do not shed a lot.
Invest In Good-Quality Grooming Tools
It is important that you also find a deshedding tool that will work on your Boodle’s specific coat type. The FURminator Undercoat Tool with its strong, metallic bristles is a prime example of a product that makes your life easier while working through both straight and curled fur.
Get An Automated Vacuum For Rogue Fur
This is not so much for the Pit Boodle’s benefit as it is for yours. An automated vacuum like the iRobot Roomba i3+ is a great way to keep your home clean and free from fur and dander accumulation.
Wash Your Boodle Every 4 To 6 Weeks
Pit Boodles are vulnerable to skin irritation and infections, especially if they end up having the thick, curly coat type that Poodles have. We recommend a 4 to 6 weeks interval between baths for the dog to help with soothing the skin and keeping the coat healthy and beautiful.
We recommend you try Seamus Cherry Blossom Whitening Dog Shampoo, even for Boodles that are not all white. This high-quality shampoo may be gentle on the pooch, but it is very powerful when it comes to cleaning the Boodle and leaving the coat looking healthy.
Related Questions
Do Pitbulls And Poodles Get Along? Pitbulls and Poodles can get along, especially if the pairing is with a standard or miniature Poodle. Ironically, this is due to their differences in personality. The mellow and aloof nature of the Poodle is ideal as it is not agitating to the Pitbulls. If you want the Pitbull to get along with the goofier and more playful toy Poodle, you have to start socializing the Pittie early.
Which Is Better Pitbull Or Poodle? Poodles are objectively better than Pitbulls. Poodles are low maintenance with their hypoallergenic coats, which makes them great for first-time dog owners. They are also very intelligent and gentle with children, which makes them ideal for family settings. However, if you are interested in the niche appeal of Pitbulls and are ready for all the work, then they are worth considering for their love and loyalty.
Can A Pitbull Poodle Mix Compete In Dog Shows? Pitbull Poodle Mixes can compete in dog shows, but these are usually special mixed-breed dog shows. Traditional dog shows, on the other hand, do not often allow the showing of mixed-breed dogs. During competitions, some of the best qualities of the Pit Boodle are its unique aesthetics, its high intelligence, and its athletic nature.
