Airedale Terriers are a dog owner’s dream. These furry canines are smart and loyal for life. Airedale Terriers are generally healthy dogs suitable for families with kids running around. They provide everything a pet lover values in a canine friend.
Airedale Terriers, also known as Bingley or Waterside Terriers, are intelligent and energetic dogs that make excellent pets. They are the biggest in the family of terriers. Their size and regal stature earned them the name “King of Terriers.” In the early twentieth century, Walter Lingo bred an even larger strain, the Oorang or Mountain Airedale Terrier.
Caring for an Airedale Terrier might seem daunting because of their high energy levels or simply because you are a new pet owner. I am here to give you a few pointers on how to take care of your new friend by providing information on their physical characteristics, temperament, and grooming needs. But first, let’s learn more about the typical size of these four-legged canines.
How Big Do Airedale Terriers Get?
Airedale Terriers are average-sized dogs, but they are the largest in the terrier family, with a height of about 23 inches for males and a slightly shorter 22 inches for females. Their height is one of the many qualities that earned them the nickname “King of Terriers.”
Airedale Terriers weigh between 50 and 70 lbs, and they are quite active. This means that they put on a lot of muscle during their lives. However, they are not as muscle-bound as Pit Bulls. Other breeds can grow as heavy as 90 lbs.
What Does An Airedale Terrier Look Like?
Airedale Terriers have a beautiful brown or tan coat with black markings. The coat can also be marked with patches of a lighter or darker shade of brown or gray. The markings have a saddle pattern. Its topcoat is typically thick and wiry, and its undercoat is much softer.
An untrimmed coat can become curly and shaggy, giving the dog an unkempt appearance. An untrimmed coat also results in more shedding.
Distinctive Features
Two of the Airedale Terrier’s most distinctive features are the long beard and the long legs that give it a regal look. The combination of features makes the name “King of Terriers” quite fitting.
Airedale Terriers also have small, dark eyes that seemingly exude intelligence. Their ears neatly fold to form a tidy V-shape.
How Long Do Airedale Terriers Live?
Airedale Terriers typically live between 10 and 13 years and are generally considered healthy canines.
Poor care and lack of proper health examinations may drastically reduce their lifespan. Cancer is the leading cause of death in Airedale Terriers, especially in older dogs. The most prevalent type of cancer that attacks Airedales is melanoma.
Do Airedale Terriers Have Health Problems?
Airedale Terriers are susceptible to health issues that include:
- Colonic disease – a condition characterized by the inflammation of the colon.
- Hypothyroidism – a condition due to the lack of the thyroid hormone.
- Canine hip dysplasia – a condition that occurs when the hip joint is malformed.
- Gastric torsion – a condition that occurs when the stomach becomes bloated and filled with gas.
It is always wise to have your vet check for signs that may indicate disease. Airedale Terriers should also undergo a cardiac exam and a renal disease DNA test as part of a routine checkup.
Allergic Reactions
Airedale Terriers can also have allergic reactions triggered by fleas, different types of food, and pollen. Allergic reactions in dogs result in a lot of itching and scratching. Hair can also fall out, leaving bald patches and uneven fur on the skin.
Other Diseases And Health Conditions
Airedale Terriers are also prone to developing other types of diseases and infections common to other dogs. These include diseases such as rabies, which can be prevented by taking your dog to the vet for immunization shots.
Most health conditions are still hidden when Airedale Terriers are pups. If possible, adopt an older dog to avoid spending large amounts of money on surgery and healthcare on hidden conditions later.
How To Take Care Of Your Airedale Terrier?
It is always advisable to consult your veterinarian before you decide on a diet for your Airedale Terrier.
The type and quantity of the food should be age-appropriate to ensure that your dog does not become malnourished or overweight. Your Terrier’s diet can consist of homemade dog food or commercially produced high-quality dog food.
Food Quantity
For adult dogs, the recommended amount is about 1.5 to 2.5 cups of high-quality homemade or commercially produced dog food per day. This amount can be evenly split into two servings daily. Your dog can eat around the same time each day to establish healthy eating patterns and habits.
Multivitamins boost your dog’s health, such as essential fatty acids and vitamin C, which improve cognitive functions and the immune system respectively. You can have your dog take them periodically during mealtimes.
Your Terrier’s activity levels and metabolism also influence the right food quantity. You can also plan your meals using Pet Plate. Their recipes use high-grade human food and are highly nutritious for your dog.
Dental Water Additives
Dental water additives are necessary for healthy teeth. These additives serve like mouthwash for dogs and will help to boost your furry friend’s dental hygiene.
Simply add a few drops of the solution into your Airedale Terrier’s water bowl, and you are set for the day!
Exercise Routine
A few walks per day or some playtime in the backyard adequately caters to your furry friend’s exercise requirements. Airedale Terriers should get at least an hour of activity per day. Mentally stimulating toys keep them occupied when they aren’t exercising.
The best kinds of exercises for your Airedale Terrier are intensive, burning a lot of energy in a short time. Good examples are swimming and running. Airedale puppies have different exercise requirements.
Avoid excessively long walks and strenuous activities as these could lead to health complications. Let your Airedale Terrier run around and play freely in your backyard, and get some chew toys.
Are Airedale Terriers Aggressive? Temperaments Of Airedale Terriers
Airedales continuously bark and become aggressive when they sense a menacing presence toward family.
The Airedale Terrier, aka Bingley Terrier, makes an exceptional companion. These majestic “kings of terriers” are playful, intelligent, and accomplished hunters.
Are Airedale Terriers Excellent Guard Dogs?
The Airedale Terrier makes a very good guard dog. This doggie is very energetic and territorial, stubbornly defending its home from any would-be attacker or trespasser.
Originally, Airedale Terriers helped to solve the problem of vermin, so their first instinct was to hunt any trespassers. Airedale Terriers chase any animals that stray into your home.
How Do Airedale Terriers Relate To Other Pets?
Airedale Terriers are generally comfortable with other dogs as long as they are properly trained and have bonded with the other pet.
If you have other pets, like cats or hamsters, it is best to introduce them to your terrier when your dog is still quite young. If you can’t, gradually acclimate your Terrier to other pets.
Are Airedale Terriers Good Family Pets?
Airedale Terriers are gentle and protective of kids. Their strength and playful nature can result in a few accidents, especially with younger kids. Teach your kids how to play safely with the Terrier to avoid triggering aggressive behavior. Your Terrier can play with younger kids if you supervise.
Airedale Terriers are confident and courageous. Sometimes, their behavior can be borderline stubborn. They do not bark excessively, but their high energy levels mean they may dig up your backyard.
Do Airedale Terriers Shed? Grooming Tips For Airedale Terriers
Airedale Terriers shed, but moderately. They shed a bit more during the spring and autumn seasons, but proper grooming significantly reduces shedding.
If you don’t properly groom Airedale Terriers, their fur tangles, and they shed more. Brush your Terrier once or twice a week and trim their coat about three times a year. This should solve the shedding problem.
Are Airedale Terriers Hypoallergenic?
Airedale Terriers are indeed hypoallergenic and are ideal pets for owners who may have allergy issues. They are less likely to cause any allergic reactions. Their minimal shedding contributes to their hypoallergenic status.
Grooming
Airedale terriers have a tough and wiry topcoat and a much softer undercoat. Brush your four-legged friend’s coat about once or twice a week to avoid tangling and remove any debris that may be trapped in the fur.
Don’t bathe Airedale Terriers too often, as this causes excessive softening of their outer coat and removes the coat’s protective qualities.
Paying for a groomer to trim your Airedale Terrier’s coat can be quite costly, but an untrimmed coat looks unkempt and traps debris. An odor may also develop if its coat is left unattended for a long time.
Either you can budget for a trim about three to four times a year, or you can learn how to neatly trim your dog’s coat to reduce expenses. If you decide to go the “DIY” route, try the FURminator Undercoat Deshedding Tool to help remove any loose hair in your Airedale Terrier that can result in shedding, both in the topcoat and the undercoat.
Related Questions
How Much Do Airedale Terrier Puppies Cost? An Airedale Terrier puppy costs from $800 to $1,500, with higher quality pups going for as much as $2,500. Several factors greatly influence prices, including age, sex, pedigree, and breeding quality. The breeder’s location plays an important role in pricing since Airedale pups are more expensive in some areas.
Can Airedale Terriers Swim? Airedale Terriers are energetic, and swimming is one way to keep them happy and active. Most Airedale Terriers take to swimming without much coaxing, but in some cases, you may need to slowly accustom your dog to the water by encouraging them to use a moderate amount of treats.
Are There Miniature Airedales? What most call a Miniature Airedale is, in fact, a completely different breed, the Welsh Terrier. An adult Welsh Terrier stands at about 15 inches and weighs about 20 lbs. The Airedale Terrier and the Welsh Terrier have strikingly similar appearances and behavior traits, so most will refer to them as “Mini Airedales.”
