Airedale Terriers, also called the Bingley Terrier, is a terrier-type dog breed that originated from the valley of the River Aire, in the West Riding of Yorkshire, England.
Often referred to as the “King of Terriers”, these are the largest of the terrier dog breeds. They weigh about 22-30 kilograms for males and 18-25 kilograms for females and stand at around 58cm (23 inches).
These dogs are very intelligent, friendly, and confident but are also prone to being stubborn as they are quite independent.
Airedales love to dig, chase, and bark - behaviours that are second nature to this terrier breed, since they were initially bred to hunt rodents. They can be bold and dominating towards other dogs but are generally tolerant of other animals they are raised with.
The Airedale is an energetic dog that requires lots of exercise, a minimum of 45 minutes a day. They shouldn’t be left alone for extended periods, because otherwise they can become bored and mischievous.
They can be standoffish towards strangers and require early and extensive socialisation, along with devoted training. Training must be fun and engaging as these dogs respond best to positive reinforcement.
They are very loyal, loving, adaptable, and child-friendly but can also be rambunctious around small children. They are fiercely loyal to their families and can be territorial, making them an excellent watchdog. Ultimately, Airedales can make an excellent family dog.
Airedale Terriers are intelligent and independent. These virtues make taking care of them a bit challenging, even for experienced dog owners.
Their perfect owners are people who are just as confident as they are and who can establish themselves as the alpha. They must also be willing to provide the dog with early and consistent training.
Airedales love their families and are very protective of them, especially small children, making them excellent guard dogs.
On a scale of 1-5, they score a solid 4 in being affectionate towards family, as well as being kid- and dog-friendly.
They are quite tolerant of different weather situations. The typical Airedale Terrier has a ranking of 3 on a 5-point scale of both hot and cold weather tolerance.
It’s pertinent that they’re provided with adequate socialisation and extensive exposure to other people to hone their ‘people skills’.
Airedale Terriers are very energetic and require a lot of mental and physical stimulation. As a result, they are not apartment-friendly.
They thrive in homes with a spacious and fenced garden, as these dogs are perpetual motion machines that must not be deprived of exercise.
The beautiful and distinctive coat of the Airedale Terrier has two layers: a dense and wiry topcoat and a short, softer undercoat.
Colours vary between individuals, but the majority are tan around the ears, legs, and underbelly, while the back and upper sides are either completely black or mixed with grey and white.
The Airedale only requires moderate grooming as it doesn’t shed too much, except for certain times of the year.
To keep their coat in good condition, brushing once or twice a week is recommended. They shouldn’t be bathed too often as this can soften their coarse terrier coat.
For a more professional touch with clippings and trimmings, a trip to the groomer about three or four times a year is recommended.
The Airedale Terrier has an average lifespan of 10-13 years. The breed is prone to several health complications like cancer, the leading cause of death.
They also suffer from other conditions such as urologic, cardiac diseases, and orthopaedic diseases.
Orthopaedic conditions such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, wobbler’s syndrome, and osteochondritis are rather common in Airedales.
Sadly, it doesn’t end there. Most Airedales will be afflicted with eye problems in their lifetime such as cataracts or glaucoma. For the younger Airedales, juvenile renal disease is a common issue. Gastric dilation volvulus or bloating is another concern here.
Since Airedales are purebred, they’re also predisposed to various genetic diseases.
This dog has a very stoic nature which enables diseases and injuries to go unnoticed as the dog might not express signs of being in pain. So, owners are advised to check their dog regularly to detect and treat ailments on time.
Hip Dysplasia is an inherited condition that means the thighbone doesn’t fit snuggly in the hip joint.
The symptoms are generally pain and lameness which will vary in severity and can be present in one or both rear legs.
Sadly, it’s not uncommon for the disorder to lead to hip replacement.
Make sure you ask any breeder if the puppy’s parents have been tested and cleared for Hip Dysplasia. If they have not, or the issue is present in one or both, find another breeder.
Cataracts is generally inherited and is described as cloudiness of the crystalline lens of the eye, which varies from partial to complete opacity.
Cloudiness of the crystalline lens prevents light from passing through the retina, which will often cause some loss of vision.
Symptoms generally relate to the degree of vision impairment. For example, those with only a small level of cloudiness may not show any symptoms, however those with high opacity will suffer from loss of vision.
Cataracts is a progressive disorder that may lead to your dog becoming completely blind if not treated quickly. One method of treatment is surgery, but that is only usually recommended for hereditary forms.
Other forms of treatment are phacoemulsification which involves emulsification of the eye's lens with an ultrasonic handpiece. Once the lens is emulsified and aspirated, aspired fluids are replaced with a balanced salt solution.
Most cases are inherited, however it can be caused by a few other things including electric shock, diabetes mellitus, old age, inflammation of the eye or abnormal levels of calcium in the blood.
Glaucoma is a condition that causes pressure on the eye, causing inadequate fluid drainage. If untreated, or it becomes chronic, it can cause permanent damage to the optic nerve, eventually resulting in blindness.
Unfortunately, 40% of dogs with Glaucoma become blind in the affected eye within the first year, regardless of treatment.
Bloat doesn’t sound too serious, but if it’s left untreated it can be deadly for your dog. Large, deep-chested dogs are more commonly affected than smaller breeds.
Bloat causes the stomach to swell with gas and then twist. The dog can’t belch or vomit to release the gas, blood flow to the heart is impeded, blood pressure drops, and the dog goes into shock.
To avoid bloat, split their feeds into multiple smaller meals through the day instead of one large portion. You must also avoid exercise for at least half an hour to an hour after eating. Another cause can be drinking too much water rapidly, so keep a watchful eye on that as well.
Symptoms of Gastric Dilation Volvulus are a swollen abdomen, excessive drooling, dry retching, lethargy and a rapid heart rate.
Without immediate medical attention, bloat can be fatal, so if you notice any of these symptoms, take your dog to the vet immediately.