Airedale Terrier
The largest of the terriers: a bold, clever and playful all-rounder that needs both exercise and a job for its busy mind.
At a glance
- Size
- Large
- Height at the withers
- Males 58–61 cm · Females 56–59 cm
- Weight
- Males 25–30 kg · Females 20–25 kg
- Life expectancy
- 11–14 years
- Exercise
- 60–120 min a day
- Grooming
- Regular trips to a groomer
- Coat
- Wire-haired, Double coat, short
- Colours
- Black and tan
- Bred for
- Terrier work, Guarding, Companionship
- Country of origin
- United Kingdom
- FCI
- Group 3, no. 7 · Terriers
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 4/5 – High |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with other dogs | 2/5 – Low |
| Good with cats | 2/5 – Low |
| Open to strangers | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Energy | 4/5 – High |
| Playfulness | 4/5 – High |
| Needs mental stimulation | 4/5 – High |
| Easy to train | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Prey drive | 4/5 – High |
| Watchful and protective | 4/5 – High |
| Barking | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Shedding | 2/5 – Low |
| Grooming effort | 4/5 – High |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 2/5 – Low |
| Suits apartment living | 2/5 – Low |
| Adaptability | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with cold | 4/5 – High |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- lead an active, outdoorsy life
- want a versatile, characterful working dog
- enjoy training and dog sports
Think twice if you …
- want a calm, low-energy companion
- keep cats or small pets
- cannot commit to regular coat care
Care
Temperament
Confident, intelligent and playful, with a protective streak and a strong sense of humour. It is friendly but can be stubborn and may spar with other dogs.
Exercise
Needs one to two hours of activity a day; it enjoys hiking, swimming, retrieving games, tracking and canine sports.
Grooming
The wiry coat sheds little but should be hand-stripped or clipped every few months, with a weekly brush in between.
Training
Learns quickly yet can be selective about listening. Firm, fair and reward-based training with variety keeps it engaged.
Health
Hip and elbow dysplasia, some eye conditions and skin allergies are seen in the breed. Ask the breeder for hip, elbow and eye results on both parents.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hips (HD)
- Elbows (ED)
- Eye examination
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Airedale was developed in the mid-1800s in the valley of the River Aire in Yorkshire, where working people wanted a dog that could hunt otters and rats, swim, and guard the home. Crossing local terriers with otterhounds produced a larger, versatile terrier that later served as a police and military dog.
Living with one means sharing your home with an energetic, humorous companion that likes to be included. It can be boisterous and independent, so it does best with owners who enjoy training and outdoor activity. Given enough to do, it is a loyal and entertaining family dog with a natural watchfulness.
Did you know?
Airedales served as messenger, sentry and Red Cross dogs during the First World War.