| AKC Group: | Terrier |
| A.K.A.: | King of Terriers |
| Functions: | Competition |
| Year of Origin: | 1890s |
| Country of Origin: | England |
| Life Span (yr): | 10 - 12 |
| Colors: | Tan and black |
| Height (Inch): | 22 - 25 |
| Weight (lb): | 40 - 50 |
| Size: | Medium |
| Hair Length: | Short |
| Energy: |  |
| Playfulness: |  |
| Ease of Training: | |
| Exercise Needed: | |
| Self Protection: |  |
| Grooming: | |
| Shedding: |  |
| Watch Dog: | |
| Living Area: | |
Appearance:
The Airedale Terrier has a long, narrow head that does not have any characteristic wrinkles. His ears are shaped like little triangles and they flop over towards the side of his nicely sized head. His eyes are dark and also small. They are full of expression – intelligent and aware. His nose is always black and moderately sized. His legs, neck, back, and tail are all quite strong. One of his most distinctive features is his rough, wiry coat. It is very dense and covers the Airedale Terrier from head to toe with the same rough textured fur. His gait is constantly free.
Temperament:
The Airedale Terrier has a long, narrow head that does not have any characteristic wrinkles. His ears are shaped like little triangles and they flop over towards the side of his nicely sized head. His eyes are dark and also small. They are full of expression – intelligent and aware. His nose is always black and moderately sized. His legs, neck, back, and tail are all quite strong. One of his most distinctive features is his rough, wiry coat. It is very dense and covers the Airedale Terrier from head to toe with the same rough textured fur. His gait is constantly free.
Health:
The Airedale Terrier is a sturdy breed of dog with few health concerns. Problems with his eyes and hip dysplasia are among the most common ailments. However, even they are not reported too often. He may be prone to infection to his skin. But, with a diet high in omega fatty acids, it too can be controlled and dry skin can be prevented. Routine check-ups by his veterinarian should catch many medical problems before they become severe. Plus, making sure the Airedale Terrier is current with his vaccinations will prevent many terrible diseases from occurring. If he gets his teeth cleaned when needed, it will add years on to his life.
Maintenance:
As much work as an owner puts into maintaining the Airedale Terrier, he will be rewarded with less work down the road. For example, he should be hand-stripped a few times each year. For many owners, hand-stripping is the most time consuming chore. However, if it is done well and in a timely manner, the Airedale Terrier will not shed at all the rest of the year. The bottom line is that the time spent twice a year hand-stripping will save oodles of time later – when there will not be clumps of hair to vacuum up throughout the house. The Airedale Terrier loves to go for lengthy walks, play with his toys, swim, and even fetch. Keeping him busy will keep him happy.