The king of Terriers, aka Airedale Terriers, is a magnificent breed praised for its loyalty, intelligence, and superpower to charm hoomans. Airedale Terriers can be high maintenance, so it is essential to tick all the lifestyle boxes before adopting them.
This breed can be a mystery to those new to this “doggo world,” so to help you with that, we have provided everything you need to know about this furry mate!
Overview
| Height | 23 inches |
| Weight | 50-65 lbs |
| Life span | 10-14 years |
| Exercise needs | 30 minutes to 1 hour daily |
| Temperament | Polite, Protective, Family dogs |
| Grooming | High maintenance |
| Hypoallergenic | Yes |
| Origin | Aire Valley of Yorkshire, England |
Origin of the Airedale Terrier
Airedale Terriers originated somewhere around the 19th century after the crossing of Black and Tan Terriers. However, the black and tan Terriers are now extinct; Airedale belonged to the Aire Valley of Yorkshire, England.
This breed was primarily used for hunting otters and rats in the waterways. In fact, they were known for their hunting skills and for the loyalty this breed carries.
They also gained popularity among people outside of Yorkshire as Airedale Terriers are highly versatile in their approach, whether hunting, guarding the house or family, and being loyal to the owner.
Appearance and Personality
Airedale Terriers are among the most charming breeds, with a life expectancy of 10-14 years if given a proper diet and training plan. This medium-sized breed has a long head, dark eyes, and an adorable nose. They have a double coat for their fur–the outer layer is dense and wiry, while the inner layer is soft and cozy.
Their appearance has much to do with their origin, as the fur protects them from harsh weather conditions. Now talking about the personality of this furry buddy, here are the traits of an Airedale Terrier:
1. Expressively affectionate
One of their endearing qualities is that, unlike other Terriers, they love to spend time with their owner. They encourage their owners to play with them, fetch them a ball and shower them with treats.
Even though this breed can spend time independently, they are most likely to enjoy time with their owners and other family members. They love to get attention from children and hooman around them, so socialization classes and letting them meet new people will make them happier.
Moreover, these dogs can be highly expressive (and we love them for that). They show exaggerated body language, vocals, and expressions to communicate with their owners.
2. High energy
Even though these furry paw-babies show tantrums while visiting their vet, they are forever ready to play! Even in their adulthood, they are playful and enjoy interactive games.
They are happy-go-lucky individuals that can be the star of the party and be great companions for families and friends. Moreover, to keep them active, pet parents must be responsible for providing them the quality of play and entertainment to keep Airedale Terriers emotionally fit.
3. Think independently
Airedale Terriers have their own rules that they like to play by. They are independent thinkers among canine royalty who may or may not follow commands blindly.
They exude an air of wisdom and pride that they carry for their confidence and may assert themselves over other dogs or their owners during training. Call them wise overthinkers who can independently analyze the situations, weigh the options and take decisive action.
Don’t say we didn’t warn you, but Airedale Terriers dogs can pose their “bossy” attitude even while you train them in the sweetest way possible. But ay, we don’t blame them! They have got everything to boast about.
4. Alert and protective
This quality makes them wonderful watchdogs. As by nature, they are protective and ready to fight off enemies, they are very alert about the tiniest hint of threat. Airedale Terriers can go out of their way to protect their owner and house.
So if you have this breed at home, the last thing you want to think about is being robbed. They are the heroes and will bark to wake the whole neighborhood to alert them of a potential threat.
5. Airedale Terriers are water babies
As Airedale Terriers dogs were primarily sent on missions to hunt otters, rats, and rodents on waterways, their body structure and paw-tastic swimming skills are another quality that sets them apart from other breeds.
If you can get them a pool, remember to bring a sunlounger, sunglasses, and lemonade for them because, oh boy, they are going to spend their whole day at the pool.
Grooming Needs of the Airedale Terrier
As Airedale Terriers have wiry dense hair, they need much time and attention.
1. Use a special hair comb
It would be best to thoroughly brush the fur coat at home at least 2-3 times weekly to get rid of tangles. You must use a special hair comb tool for dogs that can help remove dirt and debris from their hair, keeping their coat shiny and smooth.
However, this might get intimidating if you are a newbie, so you can take them to a professional grooming center now and then.
2. Require ample baths
Furthermore, they should get adequate baths regularly. Even though they don’t get too dirty frequently, they need to bathe occasionally to avoid lousy body odor.
Other things you need to consider while grooming an Airedale Terrier are:
3. Cutting and trimming
These dogs have adorable beards, and their hair can get a bit out of their way. If hair starts falling on their eyes or mouth or causes discomfort, you should trim them. This also includes cleaning hair around the ears and tail with scissors or clippers.
4. Ear cleaning
Airedale Terriers’ drooping ears can easily catch infections. It is essential to regularly clean the dirt and wax build-up that can cause infections if not given attention.
5. Brushing teeth
No one wants poor dental health. Especially Airedale Terriers like themselves to be cleaned and free of any foul mouth odor. Brushing regularly will also keep cavities at bay and remove plaque deposition.
Give them the “princess treatment” they deserve by caring for them and keeping them neat and clean.
It is essential to know that due to a lack of sufficient grooming, Airedale Terriers can potentially face health issues from parasites, bacterial infections, dental diseases, and more (article).
President Roosevelt had an Airedale named “Pete” during his time in the White House!
Temperament of the Airedale Terrier
As you know about the grooming requirements of Airedale Terrier dogs, it is essential to understand their temperament before adopting so you are prepared beforehand.
1. Not overly aggressive
Even though these dogs are highly protective of their belongings, they generally are not the ones to pick up a fight with strangers. They are polite, assess the situations wisely, and they’ll probably win if they have to face a battle.
Other than this, they are least aggressive dogs and will not bite around people or other animals.
2. Protective
Being their best watchdogs, Airedale Terrier dogs may have tiny paws, but they have a strong prey drive and are naturally great hunters. As they are loyal to their owners, they can chase the threat and alert the owner.
3. Family companions
Airedale Terriers are great with hoomans and children. They are gentle and kind when playing with their mates, as they can grow and bond with other family members.
Exercise and Training Needs
In addition, If you are wondering, “Are Airedale Terrier dogs high maintenance?” The answer is YES. Apart from their grooming needs, these fierce pooches need a lifestyle they can live comfortably.
Airedale Terriers can effortlessly tire their owners out while jogging, exercising, and caring for them like the king and queen.
1. Love playtime
It can be easy to train Airedale Terriers as they love to do sports, play interactive games, and be fantastic sports dogs. In fact, they can be excellent service dogs or guard dogs if appropriately trained. They have natural skills and instincts to protect and guide. A bonus for the owners and the dog!
2. Take them swimming
As mentioned, Airedale Terrier dogs are great swimmers. Hence you can also improve their skills by giving them swimming lessons that they would absolutely love you for. Moreover, keeping these dogs busy is the only way out! They are active and want something to do all day, either to munch or jump around.
3. Keep them busy
You can avoid making them bored with rigorous training and exercises, as these Terriers can get furious and destructive if left bored for too long.
Lastly, as their prey instincts can be powerful, they need proper training to manage and control their drives or channel their emotions so they don’t hunt down every other rodent down the street.
Conclusion
Our final thoughts are that you need to be sure if you can take care of Airedale Terrier, as they can be pretty challenging. They can be high maintenance and show loads of tantrums.
However, the heart wants what it wants! If your heart is stuck on these fierce pooches, you would be surprised to see how far they can go for you. They are loyal, protective, and have great humor to make everyone smile. With adequate attention and affection, these dogs can be THE ONE for you!
Frequently Asked Questions
An adult Airedale Terrier dog can be left alone for a few hours. However, it is not recommended as these dogs like to be around people and can show destructive behavior if not given affection and attention timely. They enjoy being with their owners, and if they were given a chance to choose between staying alone at home or going with their owners, they would choose the latter.
Airedale Terrier dogs do not shed much. You can expect it occasionally or seasonally, as they have pretty intact ruff and dense coats; they do not shed much. However, to maintain the health of their fur, you should comb or brush them 2-3 times a week to ensure no tangles or knots that can cause more hair to fall or shed.
These tough guys can live healthy for up to 10-14 years. Their health matters greatly, as a nutritious diet and regular physical or mental stimulation through exercises will help you stretch your life span.
Yes! As they shed only occasionally, Airedale Terriers do not cause any allergies to humans. Anyone with or without being prone to allergies can bring this fluffy goofball at home without worrying about catching diseases.
No. They are not overly aggressive but can be highly territorial and protective. The king of Terriers, the Airedale Terrier, may also show aggression out of negative behavior habits. But generally, this breed is not known for its aggression but for its loyalty and confidence to beat its enemies or threats.
