Appropriately nicknamed the King of Terriers, the Airedale Terrier conveys this by being a remarkably adaptable, talented and confident breed. Renowned for their independent problem-solving, intelligence, and hard-working nature, the Airedale still finds time for fun and even getting into mischief. The breed is known for both its devotion to a job and to its family. This breed works best with active families that have plenty of time, energy, and patience. The Airedale was among the 10 most popular breeds in America in the early 20e century and came in at number 65 on the 2022 AKC Popularity Ranking.
Size of the Airedale Terrier
It is the largest terrier, weighing around 55 pounds or so. Males weigh around 55 to 60 pounds, with female Airedale Terriers being a bit smaller. Larger Airedales are sometimes called Oorangs, the name of an Ohio kennel in the early 1900s that developed this variation.
Airedale Terrier Temperament
A sensible home guard, Airedales is typically alert, but not overly reactive. While the company is hosted by family, most Airedales also accept guests. When it comes to canine companionship, Airedales are generally not enthusiastic about visitors. They can be aloof and watchful or downright bored and hostile to new dogs. While exposure to lots of animals and obedience training helps the Airedale learn good manners, even a well-socialized Airedale will usually turn their nose up in the dog park environment.
Since the Airedale has a strong hunting instinct, owners should watch it around cats. And with Airedale’s Terrier trends (code to hunt rodents!), he is not the best match for the rabbits, hamsters or guinea pigs in the family.
The Airedale has a deep-rooted sense of family responsibility. Although certainly friendly with children, Airedale puppies can be a bit rambunctious, chaotic and rambunctious with very young children. They show their affection with wild games, jumping or playing bite. And they’re not exactly quick to mature either. Although still full of energy, an Airedale calms down and begins to show reserve once he is perhaps 3 years old.
Although well-exercised Airedales can eventually live in apartments, this action-oriented breed preferably has a fenced yard. Owners with little time to exercise an Airedale might consider another breed: a dog bred to Does everything probably won’t sit all day. Bred to work and work hard, Airedales have both the physical strength and the mental versatility for almost any canine sport: tracking, barn hunting, obedience, protection sports, agility and rallying – to name a few. some.
Although they learn quickly, Airedales have an independent nature. After all, they were taught to work under their own direction rather than side by side with man, waiting for every command. Due to their independence, many are not trustworthy off leash: their urge to hunt is too strong. The Airedale’s curiosity, persistence, and determination lead to success, but sometimes to mischief.
While they can excel at obedience, Airedales can also be stubborn and inconsistent during routine exercises. Trainers should be creative, exciting, and keep their own sense of humor when the Airedale goes into the weeds after prey. Many Airedales view obedience commands from their owner as requests. Some days they will agree, and other days they will disagree.
Airedale Terrier Shedding and Grooming
The Airedale is a light losing breed. No breed is truly “hypoallergenic”, but low shedding breeds may be a better match for families with allergies. Double coated, the adult Airedale has a threadlike topcoat and a soft undercoat that requires regular brushing and either trimming or hand-stripping regularly.
Airedale puppies are born nearly black with small tan markings. Over time, the tan areas enlarge until the black coat looks more like a saddle, only on the dog. sides, upper back, neck, etc.
The texture of the puppy’s coat also changes. The coat of the Airedale puppy will change from a soft, fluffy coat to the trademark threadlike coat. Grooming an adult Airedale includes brushing several times a week to remove dead hair and a haircut or stripping about four times a year. Most owners choose a professional groomer for trimming or for the even trickier task of hand stripping (removing individual hairs). Families planning to show off their Airedale will likely have a professional groomer remove the dog’s coat. Stripping the coat helps preserve the natural texture and colors as best as possible.
Owners interested in grooming their Airedales at home need special tools and, ideally, grooming instructions from professionals. The home groomer’s equipment would include blades, clippers, sanitizers, scissors, combs, brushes and a stripping knife.
Airedale Terrier Health
This breed can live 11 to 13 years. Be on the lookout for hip dysplasia. Also note that because the Airedale has a stoic side, illnesses can go unnoticed until they are serious. Its high pain threshold can make it difficult to quickly recognize an injury after an accident.
History of the Airedale Terrier
Hailing from the Aire Valley in England, Airedales appear to be crosses of Broken Coated Olde English Black and Tan Terriers, Otterhounds, and possibly other breeds. The Otterhound’s scent skills, water-resistant coat, and ability to swim complemented the Terrier’s genes of fearlessness, agility, and tenacity.
Early Airedales were exceptionally versatile and versatile workers: they guarded homes, hunted small game, herded livestock, and killed water rats and otters. Hunters (as well as occasional poachers) have used Airedales to help find and retrieve birds. Unlike some of the sporting breeds developed to hunt with English nobility, Airedales were developed by commoners for their own use. Ordinary people didn’t have the resources for multiple dogs; they could not afford a small terrier to rake and a powerful hound to hunt larger predators like martens, foxes, badgers and otters.
Thus, the Airedale was developed to “do it all”. And he did! The breed combines the necessary adaptability, endurance, courage and hardiness. Yet despite his tenacity, early Airedales were expected to be even-tempered with family, including children. After all, they were also a companion dog for the house.
Early names for the Airedale Terrier were Waterside Terrier, Bingley Terrier, and Broken-Haired Terrier.
Airedale Terriers in the Army
The Airedale was among the first British dogs trained for police and military work. At the beginning of the 20e century, Lt. Col. Edwin Richardson trained Airedales in military duties, such as searching for the wounded and delivering messages in boxes. Lieutenant Colonel Richardson established the first training school for British war dogs at Shoeburyness, Essex. World War I was the first war that Britain made distinct use of dogs: Airedales (and other breeds) served as sentries guarding the trenches and messengers. They also carried first aid and supplies for soldiers at the front.
During World War I as well as World War II, the versatile and resilient Airedale was celebrated for its reliability and dedicated work. Airedales was determined on a task; few would leave a job half done. When they were given a task, they accomplished it, even when injured.
Airedale Terrier AKC Group
Historically, terrier breeds were developed to hunt and kill vermin, badgers, foxes, and other ground-going animals. They are celebrated for their dynamism, their fortitude, their independence and a lot of courage. The Airedale Terrier today remains classified in the Terrier group of the American Kennel Club. If you browse the AKC groups, you will find that some of the breeds with terrier in their name are not part of the Terrier group. For example, the Yorkshire Terrier is in the Toy group, the Boston Terrier is in the non-sporting group, and the Black Russian Terrier is in the working group. But the king of terriers, the Airedale, remains a terrier in both classification and perhaps more so, in personality.