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Origin: England
Height: Average height of
23 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 45-100 lbs
depending on strain
Exercise Needs: High
Grooming Needs: Moderate
Life Expectancy: 13-15
years
Good With Kids: Yes
Trainability: Easy
Common Misspellings: Airdale, Aerdale,
Airdail, Aerdail
Alternate Names:
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.
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 come in only 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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
The Airedale Terrier is a very wonderful and
loyal breed of dog, dedicated to his owners and
adaptable to his surroundings. A popular
pet, they are known for their giving natures,
their determination and their love of pleasing
their masters. Few who have had the honor
of knowing an Airedale have anything to say
about them, aside from their being an incredible
breed.
However, knowing an Airedale is smart and
loyal isn't always enough - it's important to
also note that the Airedale is a very energetic
dog as well as being very family-oriented.
If left alone for too long or ignored, he may
turn to destructive behavior in an attempts to
gain attention. While a good pet, they are
not for someone who has a busy or hectic life,
nor are they the ideal companion for the couch
potato.
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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.
Wikipedia
- Airedale Terriers
Planet Airedale The Global Airedale Terrier Club, with
hundreds of pictures of Airedale Terriers from around the
world.
airedaleterrierbreed.info Information about Airedale
terriers
AiredaleTerriers.org Airedale Terrier Information &
Referral Resource
Airedale in Russia
The Airedale Terrier by Albert Payson Terhune, from
Nature Magazine, published in the October, 1925 issue
(Vol. VI, No. 4),
To Aire is Divine
How to Groom an Airedale - Acclaimed DVD that
demonstrates stripping, clipping, trimming and shaping
an Airedale's broken coat (ISBN
978-0-9804296-0-2)
Airedale Terrier, Long Live the King Article
published in Dog & Kennel Magazine (Pet Publishing
Inc.), September 21, 2007 edition, by American Nature
Association , 1214 16th Street, Washington, D.C.
Beautiful Joe, the Airedale Novel about Beautiful
Joe, an Airedale raised in Meaford, Ontario, who fell
victim to an abusive master. The book, a bestselling
novel of 1894, was written by Nova Scotia author
Margaret Marshall Saunders
Airedale Terriers are a very photogenic dog breed. By looking at
Airedale Terrier pictures, you can usually gain more insight into
what these dogs and puppies are like as a breed, and this can help
you decide if you really want to become an Airedale Terrier owner.
The following sites below offer pictures of Airedale Terrier dogs,
Airedale Terrier puppy photos, funny Airedale Terrier photos and
more. Enjoy!
Airedale Terrier Dog Pictures
 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.
We Highly Recommend:
Airedale Terrier clubs and rescues web sites can help you learn
even more about the Airedale Terrier dog breed, help you locate a
responsible Airedale Terrier breeder, or help you find an Airedale
Terrier dog or puppy in need of a second chance for a loving,
forever home. We've compiled the following list of Airedale Terrier
clubs and Airedale Terrier rescues web sites for your convenience:
Choosing a name for your Airedale Terrier puppy can be a daunting
task! There are so many names to choose from that it can take a lot
of thought and research to find just the right name for your
Airedale Terrier. Usually, it's best to get to know your puppy for a
few days or weeks. Often your puppy's personality will help you
decide on just the right name to choose. Does he have a sense of
humor? A serious side? A goofy way of cocking his head to one side?
A strange love of cantaloupe? By observing your new Airedale Terrier
puppy over the first days or weeks, you should at least have a clue
about what type of name you want to give. There are a ton of dog
names and pet names web sites on the internet. Some are wonderful
information resources, while others, unfortunately, are just
"garbage" sites set up with the sole purpose of cashing in on
visitor hits for this popular subject.
We recommend the following sites to assist you in choosing a name
for your new Airedale Terrier puppy. These sites offer inventive,
unique, original and creative pet names suggestions that have helped
thousands of new puppy owners in selecting just the right name for
their new baby!
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