Breeds / Large
Airedale Terrier puppies
Intelligent, friendly and spirited, the Airedale is the largest of the terriers and was used as a hunting and working dog rather than a ratter. They are easily bored and can be destructive without daily physical and mental work.
The facts
- Size class Large
- Country of origin Great Britain
- Adult weight 22.7 to 31.8 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 50 to 70 lb
- Adult height 58 cm
- Energy level Moderate
- Grooming Moderate
- Coat type Short to medium wiry
- Shedding Low
- Typical lifespan 11 to 14 years
- Good with children Fine with supervision
- Good with other dogs Fine with supervision
About the Airedale Terrier
The Airedale Terrier comes from the Aire valley in Yorkshire, where working men crossed terriers with the Otterhound to get a dog big enough to hunt otter and rats along the river. The result is the largest of the terriers, standing around 58 centimetres, with a hard wiry black and tan jacket, a square muzzle and a neatly folded ear. They carry terrier alertness on a frame that can do a day of work, and they are friendly, comic and stubborn in roughly equal parts.
They need a daily play session plus walks or garden time several times a day, and they need something to think about, because a bored Airedale invents demolition projects. Weekly brushing keeps the coat tidy and lifts dead hair, with a full strip or clip three or four times a year. Around toddlers, supervise closely: this is a strong, boisterous dog that knocks people over without meaning to. New owners underestimate the stubborn streak and drill obedience instead of making it interesting.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Airedale Terrier puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A large breed puppy at eight weeks looks deceptively normal sized and will roughly double every few weeks for a while. Keep exercise short and low impact, the growth plates are wide open. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Hip dysplasia, screened by a hip evaluation of breeding stock
- Heart disease, screened by a cardiac exam
- Inherited eye disease, screened by an ophthalmologist evaluation
- Kidney disease, screened under the CHIC kidney disease screening protocol
- Wax build up and infection in the folded ears, found on regular ear checks
Your Airedale Terrier puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Large for a Airedale Terrier.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 22.7 to 31.8 kg adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Kit sizes: crate 36 inch (36 x 24 x 26 in, 91 x 61 x 66 cm) for an adult of up to 31.8 kg; chew toys made for large breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.
Buying guides for this
Other large breeds
Previous: Afghan Hound · Next: Akita
Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- Health notes from Airedale Terrier breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/airedale-terrier/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
Photo: Michail Jungierek, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.