Large
12 Years
29 Kg
Terrier Dogs
Affectionate, Independent, Intelligent, Stubborn
The Airedale Terrier breed appeared in the mid to late 19th century by crossing the Tan Terrier and Old Black with the Otterhound. The Airedale Terrier is a largish purebred and is known for being quite alert, protective, courageous, independent, intelligent, friendly, responsive and quite busy out-going breed
The Airedale Terrier (also called Waterside Terrier) or simply "Airedale" for short is the largest of the terrier breeds and is dubbed the "king of terriers". This hardy, water-loving terrier is a well-boned, squarely-built, intelligent breed of a dog. The long and flat head is made up of a skull that shares the same length as the muzzle with a very short stop, with small dark eyes, V-shaped ears folded slightly to the side and tipped by a black nose. The height at the withers is about the same as the length from the shoulder to the buttock with a level topline. The body is supported by two perfectly straight front legs with a tail set high on the back. The medium length double coat is characterised by a soft undercoat with hard, wiry hair which comes in tan with black or grizzle saddle and requires moderate grooming. Typical male Airedales measure 58.5 cm in height and weighs 20 - 30 kg while females measure 56 cm from the withers and weighs 18 - 21 kg.
IntelligenceAll dog breeds have different levels of intellect. Some dog breeds; working dogs in particular, are very independent thinkers and have been evolved to be very intelligent. Typically, a highly intelligent dog does well in obedience training and other activities. A highly intelligent dog can be very demanding and do require lots of physical and mental stimulation. If you’re looking for a relatively laid-back dog, that doesn’t require lots of mental and physical stimulation, then you must fully understand the level of intelligence of your dog breed of choice.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, you must fully understand their intellect levels and their specific levels of energy. To keep your dog well-balanced and happy, their needs must be met and maintained.
Exercise NeedsAll dog breeds have different needs when it comes to the level of exercise they require. For the high energy dogs; which are your typical working dogs, they have a lot of energy and require lots of daily exercise along with plenty of mental stimulation. A highly energetic dog breed would suit an individual or family that is equally as active and loves the outdoors. There are also breeds that have relatively low exercise needs, such as toy dog breeds. Although they require daily exercise and mental stimulation, they’re just as happy chilling at home with their loved ones. This type of dog breed would suit an individual or family that prefers the peace and quiet and relaxation.
Before deciding on your chosen dog breed, Mypetzilla recommends that you research the exercise needs and whether you’re well equipped before committing to buying or adopting a particular dog breed.
Dogs HealthThere are several dog breeds that are known and potentially predisposed to developing health related conditions. Sensible breeding can help prevent the onset of health related conditions and this should always be taken into condition when researching your dog breed of choice. Before committing to a dog, you should speak to the breeder about any health related conditions that may affect the dog you’re looking to buy or adopt. You can also request to see any test results from genetic testing.
Child FriendlyThere are many dog breeds that tolerate children really well and are not affected by the constant noise and need for play-time. However, there are some dog breeds that don’t do very well with children and can become frustrated and snappy. That being said, all children should be shown how to handle and care for a dog in their home and should always be supervised when playing. As much as a dog can become annoyed and snappy with a younger child, the child can also become less tolerant and misbehaved towards the dog.
Mypetzilla recommends that you always supervise play-time between your children and dog. Children need to respect the boundaries and feeding time for the dog and likewise for the child. We also strongly advise that play-time doesn’t get out of control and too rough which can cause injury to both child and dog.
ApartmentThere are lots of dog breeds that are well suited to living in an apartment. It’s worthwhile noting that you need to check that you’re allowed dogs in your building before committing to bringing one home. If you do decide to own a dog and are living in an apartment, then you must make sure that they have plenty of room to roam around and frequent walks outside to prevent them from becoming bored and depressed.
Mypetzilla recommends that you check as to whether you’re allowed dogs in your apartment building and to fully ensure your apartment is dog proof before committing fully to bringing a dog home.
SheddingAll dog breeds shed to some extent, some more than others. With this, all potential dog owners should be aware of this, as it will be a matter of putting up with some hair or lots of hair being left around the house. Depending on the dog breed, there are certain times during the year where some dog breeds shed the most and this is typically around spring and autumn. However, there are some dog breeds that shed all year round.
If you’re very house-proud, they you may want to choose a dog breed that sheds very little. Mypetzilla strongly recommends that you fully research your dog breed of choice and their shedding levels before committing.
Grooming NeedsAll dog breeds require different levels of grooming. Some dog breeds are easier to maintain than others and only require a weekly brush to help keep their coat in good condition. There are some dog breeds that require regular trips to the grooming parlour and this can come at a huge cost. Either way, all dog breeds require their coat and nails to be maintained and cared for.
Mypetzilla strongly advices that potential owners research the grooming needs and associated costs with their desired dog breed before fully committing.
BarkingBarking is a necessity for your dog to communicate. However, it can also be a nuisance to yourself and fellow neighbours if it’s not kept under control. If you live in an apartment, then you’re better off choosing a dog breed that doesn’t bark as much. If you live further out and far from civilisation, then it’s worthwhile looking into a dog breed that does bark and will bark to alert you of any other company on your property.
Mypetzilla advices that you research the behaviours of your dog breed of choice and whether this would work for you and your family. It’s worth noting that dogs can be trained to bark less and this will take a lot of effort and training from the owner.
AloneMajority dog breeds form very close relationships with their owners and as a result can become very stressed when left alone for a period of time. If a dog is suffering with separation anxiety then they’re very likely to become destructive around the home as a way of dealing with their anxieties. Dog breeds that do form strong bonds with their owners are better accustomed to a household where one member of the family remains home, whilst the others are out, this is to help avoid further anxieties and destructive behaviours.
Mypetzilla recommends that all potential owners research their dog breed of choice on their bonding abilities and how well-adjusted they are to being left alone at home. It’s also worth noting that you should never leave your dog for longer than 4 hours alone at home.
TrainabilityThere are certain dogs breeds that have very high intellect and therefore easier to train than other dog breeds. There is also a downside to this; as fast as they learn the new trick or command, they can easily pick up bad habits just as quick. Other dog breeds that don’t rank as high on the intellect scale require patience and plenty of reward treats from their owners during training.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, Mypetzilla advices you to fully research your dog breed of choice and their level of training needs.
Energy LevelsAll dog breeds have different energy levels. The working dog breed has one of the highest energy levels in comparison to the low-energy dog’s breeds such as the Toy dog breed group. To keep a dog truly happy, healthy and well-balanced, their energy levels must be met.
High-energy dog breeds need lots of exercise and mental stimulation. High energy dog breeds would suit an active family or person. Dog breeds that are considered as low-energy, love to spend the majority of their time relaxing and sleeping in their favourite, comfy spot. A low-energy dog breed would suit an individual that equally loves the quiet life and relaxing lifestyle. Of course, low-energy dogs still need their daily walks and mental stimulation, just not as much as a high-energy dog breed.
Mypetzilla recommends that potential owner research fully on the type of dog breed that would suit their existing lifestyle and to also take into consideration the dog breeds energy levels and exercise requirements.
Dog friendlyBefore you decide on what dog breed would be suitable for you and your family, you must consider whether they’re a friendly dog breed and if you already have other pets within the household. For homes that already have dogs and other domestic pets, then it’s wise to choose a dog breed that has a friendly personality and temperament.
There are some dog breeds that mix well with other dog breeds and there are others that don’t suit one another and this could potentially cause issues later on down the line.
Another important point to consider is whether the dog breed of choice is friendly towards people and children.
Mypetzilla recommends to research fully on the right dog breed for your family and to also consider their temperament and characteristics.
This breed was developed in the river valley of the River Aire in Yorkshire, northern England in the mid-19th century for the purpose of tackling quarry, particularly the large river rats that inhabited the River Aire.
The ancestors of the modern-day Airedale Terriers come from the lineage of the Black and Tan Terrier (now known as the Welsh Terrier). However, these early Airedales don't look anywhere near from today's modern breed. The early Airedales were known as Waterside Terriers and Bingley Terriers and were mainly used as small to medium game hunters but performed poorly in water. In the mid-19th century, the locals crossed the breed with the Otterhound to make them better swimmers and able to quickly pick up the scent of larger game not suitable for smaller terriers such as rabbits, hare and fowl.
They were first introduced at a dog show in 1864, albeit under different names (Rough Coated, Bingley and Waterside Terrier). It was not until 1879 that breeders decided to use the name "Airedale Terrier" in honour of their birthplace and officially recognized in 1886 by The Kennel Club of England.
The Airedale Terrier is highly intelligent, highly energetic and stubborn which makes it a reliable watchdog - a ferocious guardian but very friendly with his family. A strong hunting instinct runs in the blood so they don't usually get along quite well with other dogs particularly of the same gender. Most Airedales are not big barkers but they tend to dig a lot, chew on objects, and chase small animals owing to their terrier lineage.
If not properly socialise and trained at a young age, the Airedale Terrier may apply their strong hunting instinct on smaller animals. They can get somewhat aloof particularly with strangers but early socialization and training from a firm and gentle hand can correct this attitude. Combine training and exercise on a daily basis to stimulate mental and physical requirements. Airedales are highly adaptable and versatile. Properly trained, they are protective of their families, especially with younger children.
Intense grooming is required to keep the Airedale's hard, wiry coat in excellent condition. Hand stripping the undercoat every couple of months with a small serrated edged knife to pull out loose hair is the technique advised by grooming experts to help maintain the Terrier outline. However, a properly trimmed coat just needs a quick brushing twice a week to maintain a healthy dog. They typically shed their hypoallergenic coat twice a year.
The Airedale Terrier has a lifespan of 11 to 13 years and generally speaking, it is a strong, resilient breed. However, like most breeds, it is without a disease. The most prevalent disease among Airedales are various forms of cancer, urologic ailments and heart-related disease such as Dilated Cardiomyopathy. Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD) also affects this breed as well as dermatitis, bloating or gastric torsion, and hypothyroidism. Skin problems are also prevalent which can be caused by lick granuloma and hot spots. Von Willebrand's disease - a congenital blood clotting disorder also affects the Airedale Terrier.
Airedale Terriers were originally bred to chase after game, hence they have a very active life and require plenty of exercise as pets. Long daily walks is a recommended exercise as well as running along a bike on a leash. Airedales love to swim and play fetch. It is not recommended for an apartment life. A suitable home would be a large house with a big fenced lawn where the dog can play and run. Lack of regular exercise can make the Airedale destructive and chew on things that he can get his teeth on.
The Airedale Terrier does not always posses a well-behaved attitude particularly around other breed of dogs or animals. It's strong prey drive makes it unsuitable to live with other small animals and has a tendency to chase them especially when running away. Airedales are better off with people rather than with other dogs. However, like any other breed of dogs, early socialisation and proper training is the key to having a dog that will be cherished by the whole family.
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