Airedale Terrier

Size
Medium (11kg - 27kg)
Exercise
20 min/day
Training
Weekly
Size of home
House with garden
Time at home
Alone with support
Grooming
Weekly
Barking preference
Watchdog barking
Personality
Independent + affectionate

Breeder List

Breeder - MERRIEDALE (MERRIEDALE)

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Breeder - Miss Kirby Wright (ASTORAIRES)

astoraires@gmail.com
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History

The Airedale Terrier, or the “King of Terriers”, is a relatively young breed in comparison to many other breeds of dogs, with its origins being traced back to a little over 150 years ago.

The Airedale Terrier (often shortened to “Airedale”) was developed by the working men from the Aire Valley of Yorkshire in England. These men spent time hunting along the river valleys of the area and wanted a dog that could run with the hunters, was obedient to their masters, courageous and versatile, and then return home at night as a companion to their families. The workmen of the day, not being well off, appreciated that the Airedale was not a greedy eater and only needed a nutritious meal to support their growth and maintain the dog’s substance.

The Airedale Terrier was bred from the now extinct Black and Tan Terrier and an Otterhound,and probably some other Terrier breeds, originally to hunt otters. In Britain this breed has also been used as a war dog, guide dog and police dog.

Appearance

The Airedale is the largest of the Terriers, weighing 20–30 kilograms in fit condition, and height at the withers is 58–61 centimeters for males, with females slightly smaller.

Their coat is hypoallergenic, which means it tends not to generate an allergic reaction in people, due to its non shedding coat. The outer coat is hard, wiry and stiff and the undercoat is softer and generally groomed by hand stripping, where a small serrated edged knife is used to pull out loose hair from the dog’s coat.

The Airedale should stand alert with head and tail held high, be interested and inquisitive, and show an intelligent, steady quality. The head should be well balanced with little apparent difference between the length of skull and foreface; skull should be long and flat; ears should be V-shape with carriage rather to the side of the head; eyes should be dark, small not prominent and full of terrier expression; neck should be of moderate length; shoulders should be long and sloping well into the back; back should be short, strong and level and hindquarters should be strong and muscular.

Temperament

Airedale Terriers are hard-working, hard-playing dogs with boundless energy. They are vigilant and protective, making them excellent watchdogs, though they are friendly to family and friends.

A true family dog, the Airedale loves attention from all people, will enjoy running and playing with children by day and curling up for a belly rub with parents at night.

The Airedale is outgoing, confident and alert at all times. The Airedale is very courageous and although non-aggressive they show very little fear and are always willing to defend themselves. The Airedale is very smart, but also independent and athletic, requiring regular mental and physical stimulation.

Health

A very hardy breed with very few health issues.

Being a medium to large dog there is always the risk of joint issues with Hip Dysplasia being one of the main risks, which has significantly reduced within the breed due to testing of hip scores.

Airedales are also prone to the occasional skin conditions, such as hot spots and various infections, and can also suffer from both dietary and environmental allergies.

Suitability

The Airedale Terrier is very loyal and will tend to bond strongly with one family member. They make fantastic family dogs and are great with children, so long as they are exposed to them as young puppies, and both the child and puppy are taught how to behave around one another.

They can play quite roughly and it may be too much for very small children, so they must always be supervised together. Airedale’s are quirky, goofy and fun loving, and their strong will power will never fail to make you laugh (or cry).

As the Airedale is a very lively breed, equipped with high energy levels, they should be sufficiently challenged, both mentally and physically, otherwise they may misbehave and become destructive. The Airedale enjoys regular walks between 30-60 minutes per day and thrives in obedience training.

Words: Margaret Fittler, on behalf of the Airedale Terrier Association of NSW
Image courtesy of Jo Pemble

In Conclusion

Now you know a little more about the Airedale Terrier you may think that this is the dog for you. Before you make a decision, please make contact with the breed club or your State controlling body for purebred dogs. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog shows where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the Airedale Terrier and its needs and whether this breed would indeed suit your lifestyle.

Official breed standard as recognized by Dogs NSW (Last Updated: 21 Mar 2016)

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A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

General Appearance

Largest of the terriers, a muscular, active, fairly cobby dog, without suspicion of legginess or undue length of body.

Characteristics

Keen of expression, quick of movement, on the tip-toe of expectation at any movement. Character denoted and shown by expression of eyes, and by carriage of ears and erect tail.

Temperament

Outgoing and confident, friendly, courageous and intelligent. Alert at all times, not aggressive but fearless.

Physical Standards

Head and Skull	Skull long and flat, not too broad between ears, and narrowing slightly to eyes. Well balanced, with no apparent difference in length between skull and foreface. Free from wrinkles, with stop hardly visible; cheeks level and free from fullness. Foreface well filled up before eyes, not dish-faced or falling away quickly below eyes, but a delicate chiselling prevents appearance of wedginess or plainness. Upper and lower jaws deep, powerful, strong and muscular, as strength of foreface is greatly desired. No excess development of the jaws to give a rounded or bulging appearance to the cheeks, as 'cheekiness' is undesirable. Lips tight, nose black.
Eyes	Dark in colour, relatively small, not prominent, full of terrier expression, keenness and intelligence. Light or bold eye highly undesirable.
Ears	'V' shaped with a side carriage, small but not out of proportion to size of dog. Top line of folded ear slightly above level of skull. Pendulous ears or ears set too high undesirable.
Mouth	Teeth strong. Jaws strong. Scissor bite, i.e. Upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws preferable, but vice-like bite acceptable. An overshot or undershot mouth undesirable.
Neck	Clean, muscular, of moderate length and thickness, gradually widening towards shoulders, and free from throatiness.
Forequarters	Shoulders long, well laid back, sloping obliquely, shoulder blades flat. Forelegs perfectly straight, with good bone. Elbows perpendicular to body, working free of sides.
Body	Back short, strong, straight and level, showing no slackness. Loins muscular. Ribs well sprung. In short-coupled and well ribbed-up dogs there is little space between ribs and hips. When dog is long in couplings some slackness will be shown here. Chest deep (i.e. approximately level with elbows), but not broad.
Hindquarters	Thighs long and powerful with muscular second thigh, stifles well bent, turned neither in nor out. Hocks well let down, parallel with each other when viewed from behind.
Feet	Small, round and compact, with a good depth of pad, well cushioned, and toes moderately arched, turning neither in nor out.
Tail	Previously customarily docked.Docked: Set on high and carried gaily, not curled over back. Good strength and substance. Tip approximately at the same height as top of skull.Undocked: Set on high and carried gaily. Good strength and substance.
Gait/Movement	Legs carried straight forward. Forelegs move freely, parallel to the sides. When approaching, forelegs should form a continuation of the straight line of the front, feet being same distance apart as elbows. Propulsive power is furnished by hind legs.
Coat	Hard, dense and wiry, not so long as to appear ragged. Lying straight and close, covering body and legs; outer coat hard, wiry and stiff, undercoat shorter and softer. Hardest coats are crinkling or just slightly waved; curly or soft coat highly undesirable.
Colour	Body-saddle black or grizzle as is top of the neck and top surface of tail. All other parts tan. Ears often a darker tan, and shading may occur round neck and side of skull. A few white hairs between forelegs acceptable.
Size	Height: Dogs: approx. 58-61 cms (23-24 ins) from top of shoulderBitches approx. 56-59 cms (22-23 ins) from top of shoulder

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.