Airedale Terrier Dogs

An healthy adult male Airedale sitting beautifully

An Airedale Terrier puppy with a wiry dark coat

An adult Airedale Terrier showing off it's beard

Three young Airedale Terriers enjoying each others' company

A close up of an Airedale Terrier's wiry coat and scruffy beard

A healthy, young adult Airedale Terrier showing off it's wiry coat

A mature Airedale Terrier enjoying a rest on the rocks

An Airedale Terrier's beautiful thick, red coat

An Airedale Terrier standing tall, awaiting a command from it's owner

History

The Airedale Terrier is the tallest terrier and known as the 'King Terrier'. These medium sized dogs were used by Yorkshire hunters (and Poachers) to hunt a variety of game, including foxes, rats and otters. In the 1800's, some of the breed were crossed with Otter Hounds to improve hunting ability, especially around water. The result was an Airedale Terrier; a dog very skilled at otter hunting with an increased scenting ability. It was originally called the Bingley or Waterside Terrier. By 1900, it was crossed again with Irish and Bull Terriers to produce the breed we recognise today.

Behaviour

Airedales are a playful breed, adventurous and lively, but can be stubborn at times. Training, as for most terriers, needs to be firm and consistent. They are head strong, but responsive to their owners. They make good pets and are well suited to living in a home, but can become bored and will need plenty of mental and physical stimulation. A long walk, game of fetch or the chance to dash about in a field exploring will keep this active breed happy. The Airedale is an intelligent breed and has been used as a Police dog, although it's use has declined. They will think for themselves and will work with you, rather than against you. They will create their own mischief if you don't provide them with enough entertainment. It's dense wiry coat is best stripped rather than clipped every 2 months or so, making it quite high maintenance from a cost point of view. Other than that, a twice weekly brushing should suffice. The Airedale is a healthy breed, with few health concerns, however, Chronic Hip Dysplasia (CHD) can be a problem, which the owners should look out for. It is also more susceptible to Bloat. The breed rarely shows any sign of pain or discomfort, so owners need to keep a close eye on their dog.

Males are 23" tall and females 22", weighing around 55 pounds.

Temperament

Airedale Terriers are intelligent dogs with strong hunting instincts and lots of energy. This means that they make great guard dogs and need lots of stimulation in the form of exercise and training. Airedale Terriers make great family dogs with their energetic nature making them happy to join in with children's games.

Due to their strong hunting instincts they should be exposed to cats early and care should be taken when introducing them to other dogs.

Health Problems

Common health problems that may effect Airedale Terriers include canine hip dysplasia (CHD), allergies and bloat. The dogs may also develop dermatitis if their coats are not properly maintained. To prevent this we recommend the coat be handstripped professionally twice per year - this will also greatly reduce the amount of hair that the dog sheds.