Airedale Terrier
His size, strength, and unflagging spirit have earned the Airedale Terrier the nickname 'The King of Terriers.' The Airedale stands among the world's most versatile dog breeds and has distinguished himself as hunter, athlete, and companion.
Height
22-24 in.
Weight
40-65 lbs
Life Expectancy
10-13 yrs.
History of the Airedale Terrier
The largest of all the terriers, the breed gets its name from the Aire Valley in Yorkshire, North England.
They're a mix of several breeds including the otterhound and the now-extinct black and tan terrier. They may also have traces of Bedlington and Irish terrier, among others in there, too.
Characteristics of the Airedale Terrier
This handsome breed is often quoted as being the smartest of all the terriers. They're exceptionally loyal to their family, and they can be very affectionate, but it will be on their terms.
Energy Level
Exercise Requirements
Playfulness
Affection Level
Friendliness Dogs
Friendliness Pets
Friendliness Strangers
Watchfulness
Trainability
Grooming Requirements
Heat Sensitivity
Vocality
Airedale Terrier Care
Airedale terriers will benefit from living in a household that has the time and energy to give them enough exercise to satisfy their athletic and high-spirited nature. While Airedales are usually very affectionate with their own family, they can be aloof with strangers, and their protective instincts can come out if provoked.
Exercise
An Airedale needs a minimum of an hour of exercise a day to burn off its energy. If it doesn't get enough stimulation, the dog will look for ways to keep itself entertained. Along with plenty of exercise, the dog would benefit from lots of other enrichment around the home.
Grooming
Airedales don't have a high-maintenance grooming regime. They aren't prolific shedders either and a weekly brush out of their hard and wiry coat is usually enough to lift out any dead hairs and keep it in a healthy condition. Many Airedale owners have their dog's coat hand-stripped (removing dead hairs by hand) a few times a year to prevent it from becoming too thick and untidy-looking.
Training
The owner of an Airedale will need to have a good understanding of dog behavior and training or be prepared to learn. The breed can be stubborn and very strong-willed and may also test an owner's patience with its antics.
Health
Airedales are generally healthy dogs, and responsible breeders will test for health concerns such as hip dysplasia, a malformation of the hip joint. An Airedale's ears should be checked regularly to remove foreign matter and avoid a buildup of wax, and his teeth should be brushed regularly.
Nutrition
The Airedale Terrier should do well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with your veterinarian's supervision and approval. Any diet should be appropriate to the dog's age (puppy, adult, or senior).
Problems
Airedale terriers are generally regarded as being robust and healthy but, as with any breed, they can be prone to certain inheritable health conditions.
Obtaining a puppy from a reputable breeder that performs health tests can reduce the risk of some of the known conditions developing, however, there are no guarantees a dog will be perfectly healthy.
Pros
- Loyal and affectionate with their family
- Low-maintenance grooming regime
- Fun-loving and adaptable
Cons
- Won't always get on well with other dogs or small furries
- Can be stubborn and strong-willed
- Needs a lot of exercise and enrichment
Did You Know?
From 1864 and on, the earlier whelps were called Working, Waterside, and Bingley Terriers.
The Airedale was one of the first breeds used for police duty in Germany and Great Britain.
The breed has been used for wartime guard, messenger duty, rodent control, and hunting birds and game.
