Airedale Terrier
萬能㹴
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Airedale Terrier is the 'King of Terriers' — the largest of the terrier breeds, created in Yorkshire from Otterhound and terrier crosses to handle otters and rats alike, later a war messenger and tracking dog. Airedales are friendly, courageous and clever, docile with children but bold and stubborn when it counts; they need daily play and walks, varied training to beat boredom, and a wiry coat that is stripped or clipped several times a year.
Facts
| Size | Large |
|---|---|
| Height | 58cm |
| Weight | 23–32kg |
| Life expectancy | 11–14years |
| Breed group | AKC: terrier FCI: 3 |
| Role | Terrier |
| Coat | Wire coat |
| Shedding | 1/ 5 |
| Exercise | 30–90min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 4 hours |
| Companionship need | 3/ 5 |
| Trainability | 3/ 5 |
| Barking | 3/ 5 |
| Good with children | 3/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 3/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 3/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 3/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Hip dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen hips by X-ray. Ask your vet about hip screening and about keeping your dog lean and fit.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is reported in the breed. Ask your vet about thyroid testing if you notice weight gain, lethargy or coat changes.
Inherited eye conditions
Various inherited eye conditions are reported in the breed; annual eye examinations by a veterinary ophthalmologist are recommended for breeding stock. Ask your vet about eye screening.
Heart conditions
Certain heart conditions are reported in the breed; breeders may have breeding stock examined by a veterinary cardiologist. Ask your vet about heart checks at routine visits.
Elbow dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen elbows by X-ray. Ask your vet if you notice front-leg lameness, especially in a growing dog.
Behaviour
Steady and alert — a terrier, only bigger
The CKC says the Airedale keeps a steady disposition befitting nobility, is alert and an excellent watchdog, neither hyper nor yappy, and does well in obedience; the AKC says that, like its smaller terrier cousins, it can be bold, determined and stubborn, and is docile and patient with children but won't back down when protecting hearth and home.
Boisterous energy needs an outlet
The AKC says the Airedale's terrier energy must be channelled into safe outlets — a daily play session plus walks several times a day — and that, while it plays well with children, its strength and boisterous personality mean toddlers should be closely supervised; an intelligent dog is easily bored, so vary training and avoid leaving it alone for long. The CKC rates its activity level moderate, with a daily walk recommended, and the Royal Kennel Club suggests up to 1 hour a day.
Energy and exercise
Energy level is rated 3/5 (moderate) on the AKC breed-trait chart. The Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at "up to 1 hour per day".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 3/5, barking level 3/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Airedale Terrier
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Airedale Terrier (Terriers)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Airedale Terrier
Breed characteristics (size large, exercise up to 1 hour per day, lifespan over 10 years).
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — Airedale Terrier (standard no. 7, group 3)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
What owners say
Owner advice is quoted from public community posts and reflects those owners' opinions, not PocketPaw's position. It is unverified and not a substitute for professional advice. Each item links to where it was said.
“The parent club's 'The Airedale' page describes a calm, eager-to-please dog with a jolly, friendly personality that will not back down if challenged but is not generally a troublemaker; it says plentiful exercise in a safe area is very important, that puppyhood demands real commitment to socialisation, puppy classes and consistent guidance, and that the wiry coat needs grooming three or four times a year on top of weekly brushing and combing. Its Code of Ethics also recommends that a litter's sire and dam hold hip (OFA/PennHIP), eye, thyroid, elbow and cardiac certifications.”
— Airedale Terrier Club of America — The Airedale via breed clubWorldwide2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Airedale Terrier — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Airedale Terrier — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Airedale Terrier — Breeds A to Z — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Airedale Terrier — FCI standard no. 7 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [7]The Airedale — Airedale Terrier Club of America — Airedale Terrier Club of America (public breed information) (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [8]Code of Ethics — Airedale Terrier Club of America — Airedale Terrier Club of America (public breed information) (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.