Airedale Terrier - Airedale Terrier

Airedale Terrier Temperament

The Airedale Terrier is a dog that has plenty of courage and confidence, and is a protective and loyal pet as well as an intelligent and fun loving entertainer. This breed is fine for families with children, but can be a little rough in terms of play and therefore may not be the best choice for families with smaller children. He has a high prey drive and this means that socialization with other household pets must be done early on - this is not the best choice of dog for those with smaller pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs.

This breed can be aggressive with other dogs, but will usually be either friendly or simply polite with strangers. His protective instincts makes him a good watchdog, bit he can also be stubborn, headstrong, and very independent. The Airedale Terrier is very agile and energetic, and it is important to keep him occupied and dedicate plenty of time to play and exercise - a bored Airedale Terrier can become very destructive in finding ways to burn off his energy. This is a dog that may me best for those with experience in obedience training as failure to be assertive, firm, yet positive with this breed can result in the owner becoming the owned!
Airedale Terrier Appearance

The height of the Airedale Terrier is around 22-24 inches, and the weight is around 45-70 pounds. This is a sturdy looking breed that is medium or large in size. His coat is hard and wiry, and the coloring of this dog is black or grizzle mixed with tan. Underneath the hard exterior of the coat, there is a softer undercoat. He has a distinctive face and expression, with a beard that will need to be kept well groomed.
Airedale Terrier Grooming

The good news is that this is a breed that is a very light shedder providing that he is properly groomed on a regular basis. Of course, this means that you will need to dedicate some time to grooming your Airedale Terrier. You should make sure that his beard is combed on a daily basis to keep it clean and hygienic, and his bottom will need to be kept trimmed. For show dogs, stripping of the dead coat may be required every few months. For pet Airedales owners can opt for clipping. A stiff bristle brush should be used a few times a week in order to keep the dog's coat in good condition, and bathing is only required when necessary.
Airedale Terrier Health Problems and Life Expectancy

The life expectancy of the Airedale Terrier is around 10-14 years. There are a number of health problems to look out for with this breed, and this includes thyroid problems, bleeding disorders, vWD, allergies, and hip problems. Make sure that both parents of the puppy you plan to buy have OFA certificates.
Airedale Terrier History

The Airedale Terrier originates from Great Britain, and was once known as the Waterside or the Bingley Terrier. In the nineteenth century this breed was used for a number of purposes, such as military work, killing vermin, and hunting. This terrier was first registered with the AKC in 1888.

# AKAWaterside Terrier, Bingley Terrier
# SizeMedium/Large
# Ease of trainingLow
# GroomingMedium
# SheddingLow
# Exercise neededDaily walk and a run
# Energy levelHigh
# ProtectionHigh, barks at intruders
# Good with childrenYes, good with older children but may need to be socialized from an early age. May be too rough for very small children
# Health clearancesOFA, vWD
# Popularity55/155