While most terriers can be lumped together somewhat in terms of temperament, the Airedale Terrier is in a different class on its own. Other terrier breeds display a feisty and spirited nature, but this nature is tempered with a calm and loyal demeanor in the Airedale Terrier. 

Most Airedale Terriers are hardworking and independent-minded dogs. This personality combined with their abundance of energy and high stamina means that an Airedale Terrier may be a handful for a novice dog owner. However, once trained and socialized properly, the Airedale Terrier is a reliable and loyal companion, both gentle with and protective of the people under their care. 

The Airedale Terrier was bred to hunt, so it won’t get along well with smaller animals in the house, such as cats, rodents, and birds. They can play nicely with other dogs so long as proper introductions are made. Due to their protective nature, they may be wary of strangers at first, but can warm up to new friends with a little bit of time.

It’s entirely possible for an Airedale Terrier to play nicely with children, though the children will need to be taught not to annoy the Airedale Terrier too much. Airedale Terriers do not tend to be aggressive and seldom bite, but interactions between the dog and younger kids should still be supervised for safety. 

The Airedale Terrier had to keep up with working-class owners throughout the day, which means that this breed is high-energy. This is in line with the characteristics of most other terrier breeds, though the Airedale Terrier’s size means that they have a good deal more stamina. 

Airedale Terriers will typically require at least an hour and a half of exercise each day, with more energetic specimens needing up to two hours of vigorous exercise. Active owners will take joy in the fact that they can bring their Airedale Terrier on walks or runs and their dog will easily be able to keep up with them. 

It’s best to have a secure, fenced outdoor space for an Airedale Terrier to run around off-leash. While it’s possible to let them do this in a shared outdoor space such as a dog park, the Airedale Terrier tends to be wary of new dogs and people, so they may not enjoy dog parks. 

If you don’t have a private outdoor space, then long walks or runs may be enough exercise for the dog. Just be sure that they actually get tired, as a bored Airedale Terrier with lots of energy will tend to dig and bark, much like other terrier breeds. 

Airedale Terriers are also great at dog sports such as agility and obedience, and can use those as an outlet for their energy. 

The Airedale Terrier has a coarse double coat that rarely sheds. Their top coat is wiry and dense, with a soft undercoat that keeps the dog warm. 

This coat does not require much in terms of daily maintenance, and a weekly brushing with a slicker brush is enough to get rid of most of the shed fur and dander. This weekly brushing also prevents tangles and mats from forming, and ensures that their coat stays healthy.

While weekly brushing is fine, it’s also advisable to do hand stripping a couple of times a year. This is done to remove old, loose fur from the coat, and is typically accomplished by a professional groomer. It’s possible to learn how to do this at home, though it does require some special grooming tools and a bit of practice. 

Airedale dogs do not need frequent baths, and most owners get by with a bath at the same time they have hand stripping done. The Airedale Terrier’s teeth should be brushed a couple of times each week to prevent tartar buildup and gum problems. Nail trimming can be done once or twice a month. 

Training an Airedale Terrier is a task that requires patience and consistency from their owner. While it may be more challenging than training other breeds, the end result is definitely worth the trouble – Airedale Terriers are an incredibly versatile breed.

Most Airedale Terriers are incredibly smart, but they may also be independent thinkers. This combination makes them think that their way is the best way, and most of the training time will be spent convincing them to follow commands. They’re perfectly capable of picking up on training quickly, they just need to be motivated to do it. 

Positive reinforcement is the best way to motivate an Airedale dog during training, as punishments and verbal discouragement may simply cause them to shut down and not listen. Combine this positive reinforcement strategy with varied and fun training sessions so that the dog looks forward to training. 

Airedale Terriers will require regular training sessions throughout their lives, as it serves as important mental stimulation in the form of new tasks and challenges. 

Airedale Terriers are generally healthy dogs with a life expectancy of 11 to 14 years old. Airedale Terriers may be prone to:

• Hypothyroidism – a condition in which the thyroid gland does not function properly, causing symptoms such as lethargy, weight loss, and hair loss
• Progressive retinal atrophy – an eye condition in which the retina gradually degrades, causing loss of vision
• Von Willebrand’s Disease – a blood disorder that affects the blood’s ability to clot, causing symptoms such as bloody stool and uncontrolled bleeding from small injuries

Airedale Terriers, even though they are the largest terrier breed, are still medium-sized dogs. Most male adult Airedale Terriers will stand between 21 to 23 inches at the shoulder, with females standing between 20 to 22 inches. They can weigh between 40 to 65 pounds for males, and 35 to 60 pounds for females. 

However, despite their size, they are typically not suited to apartment living. They can adapt to most homes, but they will always be vocal to some extent, which can be a problem for nearby neighbors. Medium to large sized properties in both urban and rural environments can be comfortable for the Airedale Terrier, so long as they get sufficient outdoor time.

It’s best to have a secure, fenced area where the Airedale Terrier can play off-leash. Since they also love to dig like other terriers, they will need a spot where they’re allowed to dig as they please. It’s easier to direct them to an approved digging spot than to try to train them not to dig at all. 

Airedale Terriers will want to be with their humans often, but can be left alone so long as they have some sort of mental stimulation, usually in the form of dog toys and puzzles.