Airedale Dog

The Airedale dog is the largest of all Terriers. The breed is characterized by a short, harsh and wiry coat and a long flat head. The ideal Airedale Dog should be well-balanced and square in proportion with a level topline, long head, and straight long legs. Airedale Terriers require early socialization and housebreaking. Being courageous and protective, these dogs are ready to serve and will defend the owner in any situation.

A healthy Airedale dog remains fun-loving and playful for many years. This breed is friendly with strangers and should not be used for guarding the property. These dogs are very good in obedience, conformation and agility, if trained since the early age. Lack of training in this breed is more dangerous than in most other breeds. Some Airedale Terriers are more motivated by other factors (food, for instance) than pleasing the owner. It means that the dog was not given proper obedience training. A dog of this breed needs to feel loved and respected, but the owner should not be very permissive. An Airedale dog may try to manipulate family members he sees as submissive. Training a dog of this breed is a serious work. Children and teenagers cannot be responsible for it.

Actually, it’s not difficult to train an Airedale dog, but the owner has to choose only positive motivation and never use harsh methods. Usually, Airedale Terriers know what is required of them, but if the owner asks to repeat the same exercise over and over again, the dog may refuse to do it. Drill and dull exercises are not for this breed; it needs interesting and stimulating training. Every exercise should be a challenge. During training sessions, the Airedale dog should get enough mental and physical stimulation to keep it motivated.

Apartment life is not for Airedale dogs. This breed is very hardy and active; it needs at least an average-size yard to run and play. Those who cannot release a dog into the yard have to walk much with the dog. An Airedale dog should be allowed indoors in order not to feel bored and abandoned. There is no need to play with the dog indoors. Airedale Terriers are very quiet indoors and would be happy to have a personal sleeping area in the house. If kept in a kennel and never allowed indoors, the Airedale dog will never become a reliable pet. Busy people are not recommended to obtain an Airedale dog, because without supervision and attention, a pet of this breed is likely to become difficult to control.