AIREDALE TERRIER

Temperament: Friendly, Clever, Courageous
Height: 23 inches
Weight: 50-70 pounds
Life Expectancy: 11-14 years
Group: Terrier Group

ABOUT THE AIREDALE TERRIER

The Airedale Terrier is the largest of all terrier breeds. Males stand about 23 inches at the shoulder, females a little less. The dense, wiry coat is tan with black markings. Long, muscular legs give Airedales a regal lift in their bearing, and the long head with its sporty beard and mustache, dark eyes, and neatly folded ears conveys a keen intelligence. Airedales are the very picture of an alert and willing terrier only bigger. And, like his smaller cousins in the terrier family, he can be bold, determined, and stubborn. Airedales are docile and patient with kids but won’t back down when protecting hearth and home. Thanks to their famous do-it-all attitude, Airedales excel in all kinds of sports and family activities.

They enjoy life the most when there is a job to be done, even if it is simply entertaining children, with whom he gets along splendidly. (Nevertheless, an adult should always supervise interactions between kids and dogs.)

Like all terriers, the Airedale has a penchant for digging, chasing, and barking. He is full of energy and makes an excellent jogging companion. Daily walks and romps in the yard are among his favorite activities.

PERSONALITY

The Airedale is a lively breed, and he needs plenty of activity. Don’t leave him alone for long periods of time, or he is likely to become bored, which leads to the aforementioned destructive behaviors. Keep training interesting and fresh repetitive exercises will become a bore to the Airedale. He is best motivated by treats and other positive reinforcement methods; drill and jerk training methods should be avoided.

FEEDING

Recommended daily amount: 1.5 to 2.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.

NOTE: How much your adult dog eats depends on his size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. Keep your Airedale in good shape by measuring his food and feeding him twice a day rather than leaving food out all the time.

HEALTH

Airedales are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they’re prone to certain health conditions. Not all Airedales will get any or all of these diseases, but it’s important to be aware of them if you’re considering this breed.

If you’re buying a puppy, find a good breeder who will show you health clearances for both your puppy’s parents.

CARE

The Airedale Terrier is a working dog, and has the energy and stamina that goes with it. He needs regular exercise at least one walk a day, although two is preferable, coupled with a good romp in the backyard. The Airedale loves to retrieve, play, swim, and goof around. He is a great jogging companion, and in many cases, will tire out his owner.

GROOMING

The Airedale has a short, wiry coat that needs relatively little maintenance. Weekly brushing keeps the coat looking good and has the additional advantage of removing dead hair that would otherwise be shed around the house. (Some people with dog allergies have found that they can share a living space with a well-brushed Airedale without suffering any symptoms.) If the weekly session turns up any mats, they should be broken up with the fingers and then teased apart with a comb. Full grooming where the dog is bathed, brushed, and stripped or clipped should be done three or four times a year, either by the owner or a professional groomer.

 Source: akc, dogtime