The Airedale Terrier is not for everyone. They are among the most interesting breeds and it is their nature to be inquisitive and curious to the point that you never know what they are going to be doing. Being an owner of an Airedale is a crazy adventure, sometimes a challenge, and always a delight.

 

They are highly intelligent, easy to train, playful, and really believe they are meant to be at every function your family has. They like to be in the middle of every part of your life! They are not a breed that likes to be left in the yard by themselves. They want to be right next to their family, ride in cars, go places, and enjoy a social life. Airedales are loyal and protective, making them the perfect family dog.

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The Airedale can also be an option for those who are allergic to dogs because they have low-shedding tendencies.

Airedale, a valley in the West Riding of Yorkshire, between the Aire and the Wharfe Rivers, was the birthplace of the breed. In the mid-19th Century, working class people created the Airedale Terrier by crossing the old English rough-coated Black and Tan Terrier (now known as the Welsh Terrier) with the Otterhound. In 1886, the Kennel Club of England formally recognised the Airedale Terrier breed.

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In 1864 they were exhibited for the first time at a championship dog show sponsored by the Airedale Agricultural Society. They were classified under different names, including Rough Coated, Bingley and Waterside Terrier. In 1879 breed fanciers decided to call the breed the Airedale Terrier, a name accepted by the Kennel Club (England) in 1886.

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For more information about the American Kennel Club click here.

The Airedale has a classic terrier head with virtually no stop (forehead), v-shaped ears tipped over and a straight back with an erect docked tail. Their physical outline is square-ish and the overall build is sturdy.

 

Coloring for the Airedale breed is black and tan, with a classic terrier coat of dense, harsh hair with a softer undercoat. A grown out coat will looks a bit curly. The coat and color stay sharpest with hand stripping of the dead hair. 

 

Although they are a handsome breed, Airedales are most often boasted as being the smartest of all the terriers. Their intelligence, combined with their independent streak, means that they have loads of character, but they can also be a challenge. 

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The blending of hound and terrier has helped to soften the hard-nosed personality of the Airedale Terrier. They are tough dogs but usually get along better with other dogs than many of the other terrier breeds. Airedales will tolerate other pets if  they are raised together and generally get along well with children, though they sometimes are too rambunctious for small children.

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Airedales are somewhat aloof to strangers at first, and need early socialization and training. Airedales are very intelligent dogs, but have a deep running streak of stubbornness and independence. They require a firm, but gentle hand from early puppyhood. Most Airedales do not frequently bark, but true to their terrier heritage they can be serious diggers and chewers.

 

They are definitely not a lapdog, however they are exceptionally loyal to their family, and they can be very affectionate, but it will be on their own terms - when they want it and how they want it. Airedales need LOTS of human interaction to be happy.

Airedales are playful and explorative dogs, however they also need to be taught firm boundaries at a young age. It is crucial to begin training early and it is also very important to set a balance between not getting frustrated and punishing bad behavior.

 

Training time should be filled with encouragement, including consistent praise and rewards to reinforce good behavior. Airedales enjoy mental and physical challenges. Therefore, training should be fun and varied. 

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Due to their inherent stubbornness, training an Airedale requires patience and teamwork. Everyone in the household should work together to be consistent with training and setting boundaries because once your Airedale has a bad habit, it’s difficult to break it later on. However, if you’re willing to invest enough time to train your Airedale, you’ll be rewarded with a well-behaved dog for life.

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