Airedale Terrier
As the world’s most versatile and universal athlete, companion and hunter in dog breeds, Airedale Terrier is known as “The King of Terriers”. Among all the terriers, Airedale is the largest one. Being confident, energetic, outgoing and intelligent, they are easy to please the owners.
| Other Names | AiRedale, King of Terriers, Waterside Terrier,Bingley Terrier, |
| Color | Black&tan, Black&Gray&white |
| Height | Males: 23-24 inches. Females: 22-23 inches. |
| Weight | Males: 50-65 pounds. Females: 50-65 pounds. |
| Life Span | 11-14 years |
| Personality | Friendly, Clever, Courageous |
| Exercise | Regular Exercise |
| Origin |
| Popularity | #60 |
| Groom Needs | Occasional |
| Kids Friendly | Yes with supervision |
| Dog Friendly | Yes with supervision |
| Watch Dog | |
| Family Dog | Yes |
| Litter Size | 9 |
Airedale Terrier Video
Introduction
Ranked 60th most popular dog breed in the U.S by the American Kennel Club, the Airedale Terrier is the largest of all breeds of terriers there is. They have a double coat of medium length, the topcoat usually harsher in texture than the undercoat. The coat is broken, hard and wiry, not unlike its other terrier cousins. Airedale Terriers come in a tan color, with markings of black.
The Airedale Terrier is a determined breed, and tend to be obstinate and heady. Their muscular stature and huge size have earned them the name The King of Terriers. Like all terriers, this breed of dogs makes good hunting dogs in the wild. However, at home, the Airedale Terrier makes an endearing companion but not without its wary eye for strangers.
A full-grown Airedale Terrier stands at approximately 23 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 50 and 70 pounds. They have an average life expectancy of 10-14 years.
Living with Airedale Terrier
With short, thick, curly and wiry coat, Airedale needs regular grooming to keep a clear, neat appearance. Some owners have their Airedales groomed by a professional groomer 3 or 4 times a year. And the coat is trimmed with the help of clippers. Besides, the owners should grooming Airedale from his young age, so that he can learn the grooming process and develop a good habit which is good for his health.
In general brushing once or twice is enough, but they don’t need frequent bathing unless they get dirty, for bathing too many time could make their coat get soft and break down. Nails trimmed once every few weeks is also necessary.
Check your Airedale’s ears once a week and keep this ears clean can keep him from bad odor, redness and being infected with some diseases. And you should brush their teeth frequently.
As the largest terriers of all, Airedales possess high energy levels. They need mental stimulation and vigorous exercise more than an hour every day to keep their body health. Airedales excel in strenuous games and long walk, hike, so the owner should provide Airedales daily play session with moderate length and enough time to meet their exercise needs. As excellent running partners, Airedales can run five miles or more by your side.
Airedales like to stay and play with family members. But their interactions with the kids and or smaller children should be under the supervision of adults to avoid mishaps. Also hunting and romping should be done in safe areas.
One to two cups of high-quality dog food should be given in two meals to Airedales every day, both home-prepared or commercially manufactured are ok. But you should do this with your veterinarian’s supervision and approval, and know which food is fit for your dog to meet their nutritional requirements. The diet should change with the growth of the dog, including size and portion. But you should notice the calories and consumptions, prevent them from getting overweight or obesity. Besides, always provide clean and fresh water for your dog. If there are any questions about their weight and diet, check with your vet.
Airedales are usually healthy, but they may suffer from some health problems caused by serious diseases, such as hip dysplasia (a malformation of the hip joint). Some Airedales may also have hypothyroidism, allergies, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis and Von Willebrand’s disease. A responsible owner will check his dog regularly to eliminate foreign matter and avoid a buildup of wax, which can help prevent some diseases and keep healthy. Besides, the breed’s teeth should be brushed regularly.
Breeders should know related symptoms and know what to do when the diseases occur in order to deal with some situations in time. The routine tests include cardiac exam, renal disease DNA test, ophthalmologist evaluation and hip evaluation.
Total Annual Cost: $2889
Cost is estimated for the first year and may vary depending on many factors, such as dog food, health care, leash, collar, licensing, possible fencing, crates, training and obedience classes, dog-walking, grooming, treats, toys, flea, tick, and heart-worm meds, microchips, etc.
Airedale Terriers are usually smart, stubborn, independent-minded, and sometimes stubborn. They are pleased to be challenged and can deal with a surprising amount of training. They can pick up basic obedience commands quickly. So training of agility and sports is necessary for them to exercise strength, obedience and rambunctiousness, which is benefit to keep their energy. The basic commands such as come, sit and stay can be trained from his young age and the breeders must have great patience when teach them. The owner or family members getting along well with the dog would make your training easier. But the breeders should always remember that intelligent dogs are easy to get bored, so different training sessions will be more helpful and successful.
Airedale Terriers need to take a lot of time outside to finish some sports, such as running with your companion. They will take interests in any small animals they find and chase them, so a yard with fence is required. And the place should be away from your garden.
History
The Airedale Terrier originated from the Airedale valley in the West Riding of Yorkshire, named for the river Aire that ran in the middle of the valley. It is widely believed to have descended from a cross between the English rough-coated Black and Tan Terrier with the bull and terrier dogs and the Otterhound around the mid-19th century. Around the 1860s, the Airedale Terrier debuted at a dog show where the breed was classified under names such as Waterside Terrier, Rough Coated, and Bingley. That was before breed enthusiasts chose the name Airedale Terrier for the dog, with which it was identified by the Kennel Club later in 1886.
Around the 19th century in England, when the breed began to develop, it wasn’t uncommon amongst hunters who could afford them, to run both a terrier dog and hound dog in pursuit of games. The hounds primarily chased after their quarry and subdued them, while the terrier hunkered down into the holes and pits to arrest a quarry that had disappeared underground. The job of a terrier, thus, required bravery, courage, and strength in the dog breed.
In the latter parts of the 19th century, dog exhibitions and sporting events featuring terriers became quite popular around the region of the Aire River. They consisted of activities in which the terrier chased after river rats, which were common in the region. A ferret was used to scoop out a rat from its hole, and the terrier would pursue it into the river and kill it. The more this sporting event grew in popularity, the greater the need arose for a dog breed that could exceed the contemporary strength at the time. That was when the Airedale Terrier came to be.
The Airedale Terrier was first recognized by the Kennel Club in 1886 and, two years later, the American Kennel Club did the same.
Helpful Information
Breed Club: AIREDALE TERRIER CLUB OF AMERICA
Breed Club Link: https://airedale.org/
Breed Club Rescue: ATCA Rescue & Adoption Committee
Breed Club Rescue Link: https://www.airedalerescue.net/contact-us-sp-528/shopping/contact-us