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Airedale terrier

The Airedale is the largest terrier, developed in the Aire valley of Yorkshire in the nineteenth century by crossing working terriers with the Otterhound, to make a dog that could hunt on land and in water.

It served extensively as a messenger and guard dog in the First World War.

It stands 56 to 58 centimetres, weighs 20 to 30 kilograms and lives eleven to fourteen years. The coat is hard and wiry over a soft undercoat, and traditionally hand-stripped. Temperament is terrier at scale: confident, playful, stubborn, with a strong prey drive and a low tolerance for being pushed around by other dogs — a lot of dog in a versatile, good-humoured package.

Origin
Aire valley, Yorkshire, England
Size
56–58 cm; 20–30 kg
Lifespan
11–14 years
Coat
Hard and wiry; hand-stripped, or clipped at a cost to texture
Temperament
Confident, playful, stubborn; high prey drive
Health
Hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, bloat

Related: American hairless terrier · American pit bull terrier · American Staffordshire terrier · Australian terrier · Bedlington terrier

3 airedale terrier photos, newest first

  • Barnaby, a airedale terrier

    Barnaby

    Barnaby crossed the creek four times before I got this, and would like to go again.

    FrostyOtter · 6 days ago

  • Cocoa III, a airedale terrier

    Cocoa III

    Cocoa III was promoted to pastry chef confronting a leaning cake; unfortunately, a feather duster gets stuck in a tiny chandelier.

    FrostyOtter · 1 week ago

  • Cocoa III, a airedale terrier

    Cocoa III

    Cocoa III supervising, which mostly means lying down nearby.

    GentleFinch · 2 weeks ago

Living with a airedale terrier

Decide about the coat early. Hand-stripping every few months keeps the correct hard texture and colour; clipping is easier and cheaper but softens the coat permanently and fades it. Either way it needs weekly brushing.

They are terriers and will not back down from another dog. Early socialisation and reliable lead manners matter, and off-lead time needs judgement.

The prey drive is serious. Cats and small pets are a real consideration.

They are intelligent and bored easily; training needs to be interesting rather than repetitive, and a bored Airedale digs and chews.

Ask for hip scores and a thyroid check. Learn the signs of bloat — this is a deep-chested breed.

General guidance, not veterinary advice. Individual dogs vary, and anything about a specific animal is a question for a vet who has seen it.

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