Airedale Terriers - getting to know this loyal breed
Get to know Airedale Terriers
The Airedale terrier is known as the "king of terriers"
Intelligent, tough, tolerant, independent, the Airedale Terrier was bred to hunt both small and large game. Agile, lively and courageous, the Airedale makes a wonderful companion.
Airedale’s were originally a cross between the original black and tan terrier and otter hounds.
The Airedale terrier traces its ancestry back with many of the other terriers to the extinct black and tan terrier. These feisty dogs were bred to hunt vermin of any size or shape. They were somewhat lacking in scenting skills and swimming ability though, so in the 1800s near the area of the River Aire these terriers were crossed with otter hounds to create the "king of terriers": the Airedale terrier.
Stats
The online sources I’ve found all say that Airedales come in at between 25-35kg, do you agree?
| Weight | Height | |
| Male | 30-35 kg | 60cm |
| Female | 25-30 kg | 60cm |
Temperament
The benefits of blending a hound and a terrier resulted in a versatile working dog but also had the side benefit of softening the personality and making the Airedale a more tolerant dog. Although still availed of good terrier instincts, the Airedale usually gets along with other dogs easier than other terrier breeds.
Airedales can be tolerant with other pets and share their space nicely.
Airedales are very intelligent dogs and can be wilful and stubborn (as with most terriers!) and they are independent and not clingy. They enjoy a firm, but gentle training hand, responding to tasks and requests well, given time and effort.
Airedales require physical exercise and mental stimulation.
Most Airedales are not big barkers, but given their breeding heritage they can be serious diggers and strong chewers.
Airedales enjoy human interaction and will love to learn with you, they are happiest being your companion and being an active and included part of your life.
General Health
Overall Airedales can be considered a robust and healthy breed. Of course, all dogs have their issues, but there are no major concerns in the breeding line of Airedales.
There are however a couple of things to be mindful of, including
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia isn’t limited to Airedales as it can be considered a common issue for larger dogs in general, particularly ‘pedigree breeds’ because they may come from a line that is passing on the problem. The problem is partially genetic and therefore, you find the issue in many pure-breds, making the Airedale susceptible.
When looking at any pedigree breed, it’s important to do vigorous research about the breeder, the line and any issues to look out for. You can request a hip-score test from any breeder.
See Mandy’s tips below about looking after an Airedale’s joints.
Bloat
Again, more because of the size of the Airedale rather than the breed itself, they can be prone to digestive issues such as bloat. Being mindful of portion sizes and feeding patterns can help you mitigate such issues.
Exercise requirements
Lots! Airedales require daily physical exercise.
They get bored easily and will greatly benefit from working-breed activities such as agility, barn hunts and scent training.
See Mandy’s tips below for how to incorporate training and play into an Airedale’s exercise.
Airedale Terriers are not the breed for you if you don’t have the time to put into daily exercise and enrichment.
Grooming requirements
It's advisible to keep on top of your Airedale's coat to keep it healthy and comfortable.
I found this great blog here dedicated to the needs of an Airedale Grooming Your Airedale: Tips, Plus a Step-by-Step Guide (With Video) – Terrier Center
We have a range of brushes suitable for your Airedale including slicker brushes.
OWNER’S GUIDE – MEET PHOEBE AND HUGO!
We asked our fabulous friend Mandy to give us an owner’s view of what it’s like to share your life with an Airedale Terrier.
Mandy is a semi-retired dog trainer/behaviourist with enormous amounts of experience, she’s also a published author with a book about behaviour and training…
Mandy, what is it like to own an Airedale puppy? e.g. levels of energy, challenges
Airedale Terriers are essentially working dogs and need loads of stimulation, or they get bored and destructive. They can also be quite mouthy and excitable when young. They have endless energy and are very strong, so manners need to be taught and practiced from an early age. They would need to be carefully supervised around small children and frail, elderly adults because they are so exuberant. They are very sociable and want to be involved in everything, so do not do well left on their own for very long.
That said, they are amazing dogs! Highly intelligent, loyal, sociable, funny - the best companions once they mature.
How would you describe the personality of an Airedale? Do personalities differ between male / female?
They are goofy, funny, and loyal. They are also determined, driven and excitable.
Phoebe, our almost 3 yr old female is very sweet and gentle. Both Phoebe and Hugo are very sociable with dogs and people They are both very determined, and as with all terriers will not give up until they get what they want. How they go about getting what they want though, is different. Hugo is much more of a yob! Pheebs will bring a toy or a chew to “swap” for a game or toy/chew. Hugo will just grab what he wants. Pheebs will try and go around a barrier. Hugo will barge right through it!
What games do they like to play?
They love any type of game! Especially chasing and being chased, tug and wrestling.
Are they good with other dogs?
They are very sociable with other dogs. However, they are full on and want to play hard. This can be overwhelming for some dogs so we choose carefully who they can play with off lead. Hugo is an intact adolescent male, and we manage his greetings with other male dogs carefully so that he doesn’t have any bad experiences and develop any bad habits.
Are they good with people?
They love everybody and everything. They love saying hello to people when we are out and about and have never taken a dislike to anyone. (Or any dog.)
What challenges do they present and how have you worked through them?
Energy levels and excitability! They are working dogs and need a job! We do obedience training most days. We also do Sniffer Dog Uk training and are about to start Mantrailing. We regularly attend Barn Hunt UK workshops and trials. They also get long walks every day - a mixture of running loose and playing in fields and slow lead walks to build core strength and stability in their joints.
Because they are very athletic as a breed, they need to look after their joints. They have monthly hydrotherapy sessions and regularly do physio exercises as part of their training sessions.
They are very driven to get what they want, and both have very high prey drive. Impulse control training is very important when young, to help them learn to manage frustration. Also because of their high prey drive, off lead time needs to be carefully managed. Like with any working breed their energy needs to be channelled into breed type behaviours.
Do they have any particular dislikes (e.g. loud noises)
Thankfully, neither Pheebs nor Hugo have any particular fears! They are not bothered by bangs or loud noises.
Do they bark a lot?
Although they do not bark just for the sake of it, they do bark. They have a strong guarding instinct and so will bark if they hear anything unusual - or if they see prey in the garden!
Anything else you think could be useful to people reading about the breed...
Airedales are highly intelligent and need to be occupied. The best way to burn off their energy is with regular exercise and training that uses their brains and allows them to indulge in natural breed behaviours.
Training an Airedale can be a challenge. Not because they don’t pick things up quickly - they learn very quickly- but because they do not see the point of repeating a task over and over again. Once they’ve learned something they want to file it and move on, so keeping their attention can be a challenge. Come up with ways to make training enjoyable for them and they will train all day! Novelty and spontaneity are the key!
They are a lot of work as young dogs, but if you put the work in they make the best loyal companions.
Phoebe and Hugo's favourite Be More Bob loot
We are incredibly lucky that Phoebe and Hugo are fans of our loot at Be More Bob!
Here they are sporting Ruffwear Climate Changer fleeces. The perfect fleece for Autumn/Winter and Spring. Perfect for chilly days, beach visits, frosty mornings and drizzly moments. They both wear a medium.
Being outdoors adventurous types, Phoebe and Hugo are out in all weathers.
They look great in Ruffwear Sun Shower coat, which provide them with a completely waterproof layer. They both wear a medium.
Some months just mean every walk is a muddy and wet affair. Having a waterproof suit means you can enjoy rough and tumble for longer without getting absolutely filthy! Less troublesome for your pawrents and fewer baths for you....now that's a win!
Phoebe and Hugo love their Rukka overalls. Keeping them super clean whilst they have fun.
After a good play and run, there's nothing better than snuggling up in your drying robe on your big comfy bed!
Phoebe and Hugo both love their Dog Robe and so do their pawrents, it gets them dry quickly, stops those big wet shaggy shakes all over the house and it's super comfy to relax in. Made in the UK, these robes dry quickly, wash well and can be thrown in the car or kept by the front door for any soggy adventures!
Both lovers of a good comfy bed, they have an Earthbound bed each and share the extra large bed too. Made in the UK from premium upholstery fabric, Earthbound beds are durable, washable and extra comfortable.
Airedales are in our experience messy water drinkers. We refer to Rufus, our current boy, as our mobile water feature! Most Airedales owners I know have similar experiences and we often compare what we use to try and keep the area around their water bowls dry (mostly unsuccessfully🙄) They are funny, loving, naughty and exasperating in equal measure. They are also addictive – we are on Airedale #4 so far…
I currently have my third Airedale, for our family there is no better breed! They are so smart and silly. I definitely agree about the training, once they “get it” they want to move on. Our current girl, Roxie loves routine and has picked up on our family cues, she wants to be part of everything. Our first Airedale was praise driven, second wanted to hunt and just be part of the family. Roxie is treat driven, just the whiff of chicken gets her attention. We belong to an Airedale group, they all range in size and personality but each of them is adorable and lovable.
Like Jackie, we follow the antics of Phoebe and Hugo also (and Bob of course!). We hope to get an Airedale next year so this article has been most useful thanks and we shall certainly be visiting Bob’s shoppy too!
Absolutely Brilliant so enjoyed this. I do follow these two on social media and they, like lots of others,fill a huge gap where an Airebear used to be. Thank you Bob, Phoebe and Hugo xx