Airedale Terrier

The short, dense and wiry coats of the Airedale won’t take lots of time to groom. These pups don’t shed much, so a simple weekly brushing with a slicker brush will take care of those dead hairs and keep the coat healthy.

Get your pup dog-show-ready with a grooming method called “hand stripping,” which leaves their coat a richer color and removes the old loose coat. This only needs to be done (by you or a groomer) three or four times a year. Hand stripping is when you pull out the dead hair by hand or with a stripping tool. And bathe your pup at the same time you hand strip your pooch. If you keep up with brushing they don’t need many baths—unless they get into something stinky.

Aim to brush your Airedale’s teeth daily, but this isn’t always a realistic place to start. So, begin by brushing your pet’s teeth two to three times a week with a toothpaste flavor they enjoy and supplement with OraVet chews. It’s essential to use a doggy-specific toothpaste and toothbrush. Start your puppy off young to get them used to the dental-care process, and be sure to schedule an annual cleaning by your vet.

Your pup’s nails will need a trim about every four weeks, or when you start seeing (or hearing!) their nails touch the floor.

Training an Airedale puppy requires more time and more pet parent skills than some other breeds, but they’re worth the effort. Airedales are incredibly versatile but need consistent training to reach their full potential—without it, they can become quite a handful; they are independent pups who may think they’re the boss! A confident, calm and patient leader is needed to bring out the best in an Airedale, which is why they’re usually recommended for people with previous dog experience.

Proper training begins early when your Airedale is still a puppy. Start with the basics of obedience commands, like sit, stay and come and how to walk nicely on a leash. But don’t stop there! Airedale terriers are smart, versatile and capable dogs, excelling at, among other things, sports including agility, obedience and tracking. Play to their natural smarts and teach them more complicated tricks, like play dead, close the curtains or put away your toys. Like with other dogs, positive reinforcement training is key—treats, praise and special playtime will help make training fun for the both of you.

Don’t forget to include socialization. Get your pup meeting many people and exploring many new situations to help them be OK with meeting new people and dogs as they grow up. Puppy preschool is a great place to practice socialization. Here, pups learn to play nicely with each other, and they get to mix and mingle with other adults.

If you’re training an adult Airedale that you’ve adopted, go slowly and keep things relaxed. Sometimes your dog wasn’t trained in their previous home, and they may be “set in their ways.” It may take you more time to convince them your way is better. If you’re introducing an adult dog to other adult dogs, try a relaxed, no-pressure walk in the park as a first introduction to a new acquaintance, rather than a busy family BBQ with kids and dogs free-ranging with food and toys in the mix.

If you’re at all unsure about any aspect of training, consider getting help from a certified dog trainer to help you and your pet achieve your goals.

Airedale Terriers typically do well on a high-quality commercial dog food. Be sure to factor in your dog’s age and choose a formula that fits their stage in life (puppy, adult, senior). Look for the statement on the packaging that says it meets the nutritional standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials.

Even though these pups are very active, they can still add extra pounds if they eat more than they exercise. And with all the training you’ll be doing with your pup, it’s possible to reward them too much! Instead of always using treats, mix in a massage or game of fetch as your pup’s reward. And check with your vet; they can help you put together a mealtime and exercise plan to help shed the extra weight and still maintain your pup’s nutritional needs.

Side note: Some Airedales may be picky eaters—“Hey, I thought I was the king??”—so you may need to search to find a food they truly enjoy. Certain Airedale Terriers may benefit from a food formula designed for dogs with a sensitive stomach. But always consult with your veterinarian when developing your dog’s diet, as they are in the best position to help you pick the right food for your dog based on their individual needs.

When you think of a “terrier,” a high-energy dog is probably part of the image. And that’s true for Airedale Terriers. In general, these pups really do need a fair amount of exercise. Like one or two hours every day. Luckily, you can satisfy their energy level by playing ball, jogging or taking brisk walks. Families who already enjoy being active are a great match for an Airedale. While access to a fenced yard will definitely help your dog fulfill their exercise needs (they’ll love to speed around the yard!), it’s possible to have an Airedale Terrier without a fenced yard—you just have to be willing to put in extra effort with long walks and jogs (on a leash, of course).

If you don’t have an at-home Airedale play paradise (i.e., a backyard), you might look to local dog parks as a place to exercise your pet. This is fine, but remember that Airedales aren’t fans of all dogs (they pick their doggie friends carefully, after all) and may not enjoy dog parks. So be warned: if you don’t have your own yard and dog parks are out, your Airedale won’t have an outlet for running off-leash, so you (or your family) will need to devote a lot of time to exercising your dog.

Airedale Terriers can be a good choice for families. Many of them love to play—sometimes enjoying rough and tumble games—so adding an Airedale to the mix with your kids can be an excellent combination when your pup’s properly socialized. Airedales are devoted to their family and are often content to hang out with the people they love best, so you’ll need to be mindful when new guests or a houseful of company shows up for dinner.

They can get along well with other dogs provided they are socialized properly and introductions are made slowly, but this breed is not the best choice for a home with cats.

Airedales are on the large size for terriers, and while they may not be the best choice for very small homes or apartments, they can be OK for homes without a fenced-in yard as long as their rather high exercise needs are met through other means (like long walks, jogs and other outdoor adventures).

And speaking of exercise, Airedales are a great choice for pet parents and families who are active—people who love getting outdoors, going places and having fun. A solid choice for more experienced pet parents who understand dog training and how to lead their pet, Airedale Terriers are easier to groom and are low-shedding pups.