The Airedale Terrier is a decent breed to raise in India mainly because it possesses an above average tolerance to both hot and cold climate conditions and that’s why it will be having no problem in thriving in any part of India. Furthermore, this breed is fairly trainable and easy to handle and thus its owners will have a hassle-free experience while raising the long-legged terrier. The Airedale Terrier also tends to remain healthy and fit throughout its lifetime and doesn’t get affected by a lot of health-related issues, hence, this canine is less likely to be taken to vet’s clinic on a frequent basis. And, all these reasons make this breed a good option for any potential dog owner residing anywhere in the world.
The Airedale Terriers might be medium-sized canines, but they are the largest of the Terrier breeds. These dogs have got long legs, neat appearance and are quite versatile in nature. The official standards for the Airedale Terriers are given as follows:
The average weight and height of the Airedale Terriers are around 18-30 Kilograms and 22-24 inches (at the shoulders), respectively. There is not a lot of difference between a male and a female Airedale when it comes to their overall size.
|
GENDER |
WEIGHT |
HEIGHT |
|
MALE |
18-30 kg |
22-24 inch |
|
FEMALE |
18-30 kg |
22-23 inch |
They possess a dense, hard and wiry coat which lies straight and close and is evenly spread all over the body. They also have a very short undercoat beneath the wavy exterior coat which is relatively softer in nature.
They have a well-built body with a moderately long neck which widens when going from head to shoulders. The chest is deep but not very broad and the back region is rather short but is fairly leveled and strong. The tail is of fair length and possesses good strength and substance. Their forelegs and hindlegs are reasonably muscular, sturdy and long.
The Airedale Terriers have a well-balanced head with a strong and deep foreface which is well filled up before the eyes. The eyes are small in size and are mostly found in a dark color. They have V-shaped ears which are also a bit small and are mostly folded and are placed high on the head.
They possess a fine jaw region in which strong and white teeth are firmly placed. Their muzzle is long and powerful and they mostly have a level bite but a slightly overlapping or scissors bite is permissible.
The Airedale Terriers are confident and intelligent canines who generally remain fairly even-tempered. They are quite friendly and affectionate with their owners and family members including the small kids present in the house. But, if someone already has a pet animal living at their place, then this breed might not be a very good option as they don’t get along well with other animals like cats, rabbits, and even other canines. These dogs also tend to remain a little reserved with the strangers but if they are properly introduced to a bunch of new people at a young age, then they are more likely to get along with the people who are not that known to them. They also possess a pretty decent watchdog ability and thus they can efficiently guard their home and property. The common temperamental traits of an Airedale Terrier are listed below:
The Airedale Terriers are also known as the “King of Terrier†mainly because they are the largest canines in the Terrier group. But, apart from the size, the Airedale Terriers are also superior to their other Terrier brothers in terms of intelligence. This breed is exceptionally smart and confident in nature which helps it to learn a lot of new things in a very little time from its owners during the training sessions.
They are quite easily recognized all around the world because of their hard wiry coat, long muzzle and short V-shaped ears on top of their head. They possess a good amount of swiftness and agility that enabled them to hunt various games in the past. They were also used to take part in different competitions that took place around the 19th century in West Yorkshire, England.
This breed is a fine choice for anyone who is looking for a bold, friendly and intelligent canine who is equally sturdy and adaptable in nature. But, the Airedales are not highly recommended to a novice dog owner as sometimes they can be a little stubborn and headstrong and during those times, they need a knowledgeable dog parent who can gently handle them and also train them well so that they can become the best version of themselves.
There are officially no different kinds of Airedale Terriers. They are mostly found in a single color combination which is Black or Grizzled with Tan.
|
Adaptability |
**** |
Sensitivity Level |
*** |
|
Affection Level |
**** |
Potential for mouthiness |
**** |
|
Apartment-Friendly |
*** |
Drooling Potential |
* |
|
Barking Tendencies |
*** |
Energy Level |
**** |
|
Friendly towards dogs |
** |
Health Issues |
** |
|
Friendly towards other animals |
** |
Intelligence |
***** |
|
Child Friendly |
***** |
Playfulness |
**** |
|
Exercise Needs |
**** |
Shedding Level |
*** |
|
Grooming Needs |
**** |
Social Needs |
**** |
|
Good for novice owners |
** |
Stranger Friendly |
*** |
|
Trainability |
**** |
Watchdog Ability |
***** |
|
Tolerates Heat |
*** |
Tolerates Cold |
*** |
The Airedale Terriers should do well on a good-quality dog food which can be either home cooked or commercially manufactured as long as it is benefitting their health. The feeding material should be appropriate to the canine’s age. Overfeeding should be strictly avoided to decrease the chances of obesity in these dogs.
This breed is fairly energetic in nature and requires a decent amount of exercise on a daily basis to be in the right shape. Regular walks in the yard or a park and brief playing sessions with the family members are good for this active and spirited breed. A right amount of exercise not only means good fitness and health but it also equates to peace of mind and happiness for the Airedale Terriers.
As mentioned, the training process becomes a lot easier if the owner/trainer who is teaching these dogs new commands and skills is knowledgeable and well-experienced. The Airedale Terriers are exceptional and fast learners and can be taught various things in no time but only if they are motivated and inspired. And, for that, an experienced dog owner could come in handy, as he/she would know how to make the training exercises more interesting and exciting for the Airedales.
These dogs require a moderate amount of grooming and maintenance of their coat to look neat and tidy. Brushing them at least 2-3 times a week will keep their coat free from dead hair strands. Bathing and trimming of their nails can be done once per month. And, coming to their shedding potential, these dogs only shed on an occasional basis but in moderate amounts and hence, they should be brushed a little more during the shedding period.
They are generally very healthy and overall remain fairly fit and fine throughout their lifetime. But, sometimes they might get affected by health issues which are common in most canines. Some of them are as follows:
Frequent visits to a vet’s clinic are not required for the Airedale Terriers, unlike many other Terrier breeds.
The Airedale Terriers came into existence when the Old English Black and Tan Terriers (now extinct) were crossed with the Otterhounds. It Originated in the valley of the River Aire which was in West Yorkshire, England. And, their place of birth became the inspiration behind their name as a Valley is often called as “Dale†in England.
This breed had great scenting abilities and hunting skills and it was heavily used to hunt various small games. It was also used by the locals to take part in Water Rat hunting competitions. After some years, this existing breed was again crossed with some other Terrier type canines like the Bull Terriers and the Irish Terriers. And, the resulting breed is considered to be the actual ancestor of the modern Airedale Terriers.
Apart from being a great hunter, these canines were also famous as search animals and messengers especially during the World War I. They were widely appreciated for their efforts and were even adored and cherished by the 32nd United States President, Franklin D. Roosevelt.
