Airedale Terrier

The Airedale is commonly referred to as ‘The King Of The Terriers’. The breed is loyal, wonderful with children and a great companion animal. Bred to hunt otter and other vermin, it developed as a Breed in the late 1800’s in England, coming to North America soon after the turn of the century. Still used for hunting in many parts of the world, the Airedale makes a good Upland Game dog and is prized by many as the perfect all round companion. Some breeds have a distinct difference between the ‘field’ dog and the conformation or ‘show’ dog.  The Airedale remains true to type in both arenas and should look basically the same whether being readied for a show ring or a hunting trial.  The primary difference visible to the general observer is the closely detailed hand stripping of the coat which occurs for the Conformation show rings.

The Airedale standard in Canada outlines the dog as 23 inches in height at the shoulder with a hard, dense wiry coat. At the base of the coat is a softer ‘undercoat’ providing the dog protection from the elements when it is out-side. Black and tan in colour as an adult, the Airedale puppy is predominantly black with tan markings visible on the legs and head.

On average, our Airedale females weigh 50 pounds while the Male is ten to fifteen percent heavier. 

The Airedale is a minimally shedding breed, often recommended as a good option for those suffering from dog sensitivities.  In this vein, please keep in mind that the allergen is the saliva of the dog.  Since the Airedale has a minimally shedding coat, this allergen is limited in its release provided the dog is maintained properly. As with any of the ‘non’ shedding’ breeds, the coat must be clipped or hand stripped to maintain its proper texture and to support the good health of the dog.  We recommend grooming on a bimonthly basis with frequent brushings in between. This ensures that dead coat is removed and little hair is released into the home.   Those with known sensitivities to dogs should, as a minimum, visit a home with an Airedale prior to purchase to ensure this is the breed for them. 

Many books have been written on our wonderful breed.   We recommend several, some of which may be borrowed from your local library.  Included in the list are:

The Complete Airedale by Gladys Brown Edwards

The New Airedale Terrier by June Dutcher and Janet Framke

Your Airedale by Barbara Strebeigh and Pauline McCready

The Airedale Terrier Today by Janet Huxley

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