Is the Airedale Terrier the Right Dog Breed for You?
Known as the ‘King of all Terriers,’ the Airedale Terrier is a distinctive breed with a confident attitude and hard-working ethic. Originally bred to catch rats and otters, this dog is, today, a popular family pet for Aussies. Here’s all you need to know about this popular breed.
Breed Snapshot:
- Size: Medium size 19-25 kg; height of 56-61 cm
- Coat: Short curly coat with light shedding a couple times a year. Colors include black and tan.
- Energy: High energy. These are hard-working athletic dogs that thrive on activity.
- Lifespan: 10-12 years
- Country of Origin: England, UK
- Breed Type: Terrier
- Other Names: Waterside Terrier
- Great Breed for: Families and owners with a backyard.
What Is an Airedale Terrier?
The largest of the terrier type dogs, the Airedale is a popular breed that enjoys work, sport, and play. This breed is known for its intelligence, outgoing nature, courage, and friendly demeanor. Confident, alert, and independent, these dogs were historically relied upon to catch otters and rats in the area of Yorkshire, UK, where they were first bred.
Airedales make good watchdogs and enjoy family life; though, some experts caution inviting them into homes with extremely small children. Even so, they’re generally excellent with kids and enjoy playing or going for a job with their owner. With its distinctive good looks and companionable nature, the Airedale Terrier makes an ideal pet for owners who love high-energy dogs. These dogs also have a penchant for chewing and digging so keep that in mind if you have a garden or fine furnishings.
What Do Airedale Terriers Look Like?
Airedale Terriers are distinctive-looking dogs with a dense curly top coat and short, soft undercoat. They are known for their black and tan coloring as well as their long, muscular legs and neatly folding ears. They also feature dark eyes and a long beard.
What Makes the Airedale Terrier Special?
The Airedale Terrier is beloved by the breed’s enthusiasts because of its intelligence and hardworking nature. Many people opt for this breed because of its hypoallergenic coat that seldom triggers reactions among allergy sufferers. Although these dogs are known for their independence, they’re also quite playful and tend to retain their puppyish ways well into adulthood.
These dogs are also extremely good with children, which makes them a popular family dog. They are not bred to live outdoors and would not be suited to apartment life as they require plenty of outdoor play time. Airedale Terriers are protective, loyal, and love to be active with their owners.
How Often Do I Need to Groom My Airedale Terrier?
Airedale Terriers require brushing several times per week. They should be groomed at least four times per year or as needed. Some Airedale owners prefer to save money by learning to groom their dog themselves. In most cases, these dogs will be trimmed or ‘stripped,’ a process that both shortens and thins the coat.
How Often Should I Walk My Airedale Terrier?
The Airedale is a high-energy breed. If you love to walk or jog, this is a most companionable job that will do its utmost to keep pace. This breed requires up to two hours of exercise each day, which makes a backyard a necessity for most owners. The more exercise this breed gets, the happier it tends to be. It has a tendency to dig and chew; without proper exercise, it may give into less positive behaviors.
How Do I Train My Airedale Terrier?
Airedales are independent; some people might call them stubborn. It’s important to start training early in order to socialize these dogs and to prevent them from forming bad habits. Positive reinforcement training sessions that are consistent, short, and fun set this breed up for success. PetCloud offers dog training classes in blocks of six-week, one-hour sessions with registered trainers. An experienced trainer will come to your home and use positive reinforcement techniques as recommended by the RSPCA to teach your puppy. Follow the link to post your job!
Quickfire Airedale Terrier Questions:
Can I leave my Airedale Terrier alone during the day?
Most Airedale Terriers feature an independent demeanor, so they often do quite well when left alone. However, it’s important that they get the recommended exercise they need each day in order to support their mental and physical well-being.
Are Airedale Terriers barkers?
Airedale Terriers are medium to high barkers. Like many terriers, they feel compelled to bark for a wide range of reasons. If excessive barking bothers you, talk to your obedience instructor or trainer about commands for silence. You may be able to reduce your dog’s barking tendencies.
Are there Airedale Terrier health risks I should know about?
Airedale Terriers are prone to some health conditions. These include hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, certain cancers, and allergies. Overbreeding can lead to some of these conditions, which makes it important to purchase puppies only from trusted breeders.
Where Can I get an Airedale Terrier?
Although these dogs do not on average enjoy the longest of life spans, they are revered for their friendly nature and confident attitude. If you prefer, you may search for a rescue Airedale Terrier rather than purchasing one from a breeder. Some owners find that these dogs have more energy needs than they can supply and so they wind up needing to place them elsewhere. Check out the RSPCA’s adoption guide to see if this is the right solution for you. If you want to purchase your Airedale Terrier from a reputable breeder, be sure to use this helpful guide for finding the right breeder from the RSPCA.
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