Online Guide to the Airedale Terrier Dog Breed

Common Misspellings: Airedaleterriers, Aredale Terriers, Airedale-Terriers, Airdale Terriers, Airedale Terriors, Airedale Teriers, Airdaleterriers, Airdaleterriors

Known as "the King of all Terriers", the Airedale Terrier was originally bred to be used as an "all purpose dog" that could not only hunt water vermin, but upland game, and also be a fearless guard dog, loyal family companion and trusted friend.

The largest of the terrier breeds, the Airedale Terrier stands 23" tall at the shoulder and weighs from 55 to 68 pounds. The Airedale Terrier is the dog of all dogs; whatever you are able to teach them, they will do for you. Loving, clownish, happy and gregarious with a true zest for life, these dogs make extraordinary companions, and are particularly fond of children.

The Airedale Terrier has a coat requires a certain amount of care; hand-stripping and regular visits to the groomers are needed to keep the sleek and elegant appearance. These wonderful dogs excel in obedience training and are relatively easy to house-break. They require plenty of daily exercise and liberal amounts of love, care and attention in order to thrive. A fenced yard is a must.

Airedale Terrier Dog Breed

Airedale Terrier Size Variations: Standard size only
Airedale Terrier Colors: colors
Airedale Terrier Exercise Needs: Demanding
Airedale Terrier Grooming Needs: Moderate
Airedale Terrier Life Expectancy (Lifespan) :12-14 years
Are Airedale Terrier Dogs Good With Children?: Yes
Airedale Terrier Training: Moderate

Airedale Terrier History

Like so many other breeds, the origins of the Airedale Terrier are enshrouded in mystery and obscured by the hands of time. Due to the fact that ancient art pieces depict dogs of similar type, and the similarity between the Airedale and Old English Terrier, or Broken-haired Terrier, it is generally considered that this marvelous dog first appeared in the European countries, particularly England. Even amongst those who might argue differently, it is a known fact that this unique breed was most certainly refined and strengthened in that part of the world.

It is believed that the now-extinct black and tan Old English Terrier was the foundation for the Fox, Irish, Welsh and the Airedale Terrier. Ranging in size from 17-30 pounds, these variants of terrier were used for hunting a wide variety of game, ranging from weasel to fox and even otter. Courageous and quick, they made excellent hunting dogs, as well as loyal companions.

It was the desire to improve the scenting ability of the breed that led to the introduction of the keen-nosed Otter Hound to the Airedale's bloodlines. Additionally, the crossing of this rough-coated breed is believed to have had some bearing on the Airedale's distinctive wiry brown and tan coat, while his patience and loyalty is suspected to come from an infusion of hound blood somewhere in his distant past. The resulting line would come to be known as the Bingley, Working or Waterside Terrier and, in time, would develop into today's Airedale Terrier.

Airedale Terrier Appearance

The Airedale is best summed up by a single word - balance. Known for their beautiful form, they are tall without seeming gangly, deep-chested without seeming too broad, and possess a well-muscled and athletic body, strong in muscling and in bone. With males standing an average of 23 inches at the shoulder and bitches slightly smaller, they are a substantial dog and a very capable working breed.

Airedale Terriers mainly come in one color - the traditional black and tan of their ancestors. However, there are slight variations and no one dare ever say that these magnificent dogs all look alike - some Airedales possess a mingling of red hairs with their black, while others can even sport proud markings of white on their chest. Despite similar markings, no two dogs are ever alike!

Airedale Terrier Temperament & Personality

The Airedale Terrier breed has a very unique temperament and, in fact, the dog's personality plays an important part in making the ideal Airedale. While gamey and courageous enough to qualify as a terrier breed, the Airedale is recognized for his patience and unconditional loyalty - in fact, the Airedale is one of the most popular dogs to have stayed in the White House. Even John Wayne owned one of these magnificent dogs!

It was the combination of the Airedale's unflinching desire to defend his master, combined with a wary aloofness from strangers that made him a highly desirable police dog in Europe and the United States. Additionally, his determination and uncanny ability to ignore injuries made him popular during times of war, where he helped with guarding and patrol, as well as delivering messages. From nose to tail, the Airedale is a very noble and brave breed, capable of great courage and yet gentle enough to be a loving companion and family pet.

Airedale Terrier Exercise Needs

The Airedale is a very enthusiastic and energetic dog that delights in his place as a working breed. Not as prone to obesity as other breeds, they are naturally busy and tend to find ways of exercising, even when they can't get out for a good brisk walk. Unfortunately, when kept pent up for too long, this alternate form of exercise can sometimes manifest in destructive behavior, so it's best to ensure your Airedale puppy doesn't get bored.

For most Airedales, a couple of walks a day will do wonders, provided they are offered at a pace that will let him jog a bit and work out the kinks. Dog parks or fenced yards are excellent opportunities for the Airedale Terrier to get out and stretch his legs as well, and this breed often does very well in obstacle courses and agility matches.

Airedale Terrier Grooming Requirements

While not as prone to matting as the finer-coated breeds, there is still some work involved in keeping your Airedale looking his best. For many, the easiest route to take is the occasional trip to the groomer's, with weekly comb-throughs in-between. This will help to keep your Airedale free from mats, as well as helping you to take note of anything unusual about your pet. If nothing else, your weekly grooming session provides you with the perfect opportunity to have some quality time with your four-footed friend and he's sure to enjoy the attention.

In addition to the obvious brushing and combing of your Airedale Terrier, you should also pay special attention to his ears. Being a fold-ear dog, the Airedale is prone to ear infections and can get sick if his ears are not cleaned regularly. To do so, take a cotton swab and gently clean around the outer edges of your dog's ear. Never, however, stick the swab down into the ear canal - doing so can cause great pain to your dog or even cause him to lose his hearing!

Airedale Terrier Training

The Airedale Terrier is a very intelligent and enthusiastic pupil who delights in learning new tricks and receiving praise for whatever he retains. They particularly excel in agility matches, where their natural athletic ability combines with their keen intelligence to make for a strong competitor. Additionally, they are also skilled hunting dogs who do well in field trials or obedience courses.

When training your Airedale, one of the most important things to do is to keep it upbeat, fun and positive. The Airedale Terrier loves praise and responds well to treats and shows of love and kindness. A strong hand or stern voice can often be met with stubbornness, typical of other intelligent breeds.

Airedale Terrier Health Information

The Airedale Terrier is an uncommonly healthy breed of dog, known for their rugged constitutions and their ability to ignore great pain in order to fulfill their duty to their masters. Consequently, the most common ailments that seem to trouble the Airedale are hip dysplasia or "itchy skin," meaning they often have sensitivities to food or shampoos. Additionally, itchy skin can be a result of excitement or psychological problems. If your dog should chew at himself or scratch excessively, it's generally a good idea to have any abnormal behavior checked by your local veterinarian.

Finding A Responsible Airedale Terrier Breeder

Now that you have decided that the Airedale Terrier is the right breed for you, it's time to start the process of finding a responsible Airedale Terrier breeder from which to buy a healthy, well-socialized puppy. Not all breeders are alike; there are good breeders - and bad breeders. Don't be in a hurry to buy the first Airedale Terrier puppy you find at the cheapest price available! To buy a puppy from a responsible Airedale Terrier breeder, you may need to pay more and wait longer. The additional money and waiting time will be well worth it. Buy a puppy in haste from a newspaper ad, pet store or "backyard breeder", and you'll likely also purchase a great deal of additional expense and heartache, since you will likely end up falling in love with a puppy with health and behavioral problems that will likely need special care, plenty of veterinary visits, regular medication - or even euthanasia. But do your homework and find a responsible, caring Airedale Terrier breeder who home-raises their puppies with love, screens their breeding dogs for health problems, offers a health guarantee and post sale support, and who genuinely loves the Airedale Terrier breed and is in it for the love of the breed, rather than profit, and you can be fairly well assured of getting a healthy, happy, long lived and affectionate family companion that will provide you and your family with many years of joy, laughter and companionship.

Further information about choosing a responsible breeder...

Here are a few breeder directory sites that we recommend. These sites attempt to screen advertisers to ensure that the breeders listed are responsible and sell healthy, home-raised Airedale Terrier puppies to carefully screened buyers. There are many, many sites now online that advertise dog breeders - many are a Mecca for puppy mills and backyard breeders. We recommend that you steer clear of these resources in favor of sites that are more selective in the breeders whom they allow to advertise.

Additional Airedale Terrier Information Resources

There are a wealth of resources online that can help you learn more about the Airedale Terrier dog breed. We've compiled a list of Airedale Terrier information sites to assist you in quickly locating quality information about the Airedale Terrier dog breed, while avoiding the "garbage" sites that are nothing more than poor attempts to capitalize on the popularity of dog breeds in general. If you know of an Airedale Terrier information site that offers unique, quality information and photos of the Airedale Terrier breed, please contact us with the URL and a brief description so that our editors can consider it for inclusion in our list below.