Airedale Terrier Dog Breed | Dogs 101 - AIRDALE TERRIER - Top Dog Facts About AIREDALE TERRIERS
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The Breed History
As with many breeds of dogs, the origins of the Airedale are somewhat obscure. A now-extinct Black and Tan Terrier sometimes called Old English terrier or Broken-haired terrier may have been a progenitor of not only the Airedale, but perhaps also the Fox, Welsh, and Irish terriers. In the latter part of the 1800s, the first show classes for this breed took place. About the same time, a known outcross with the Otterhound breed was carried out to improve the Airedale's capacity for water work and to improve scenting ability.
Breeding for Function
The old terriers were widely used in Yorkshire England for hunting otter, rats, badgers, weasels and other medium game. In Canada, the US, India and Africa they were prized for their bravery in large game hunts. Their utility encompasses police dog work and historically, included service as war dogs. They also perform well in obedience tracking, agility and guarding.
Physical Characteristics
Height at Withers: female 22" (56 cm), male 23" (58.5 cm). Weight: females 40-48 lb (18-22 kg), males 45-70 lb (20.5-32 kg). Coat: The dense double coat may have some crimping; the outer layer is wiry while the undercoat is soft. Colors are black and tan with specifically distributed markings. A small white mark on the chest is not penalized.
Longevity: 10-12 years.
Points of Conformation: The head is long with a minor stop, the ears are V-shaped and carried folded. Eyes are dark and small with keen expression, and nose is medium and black. Other points include moderate length neck, chest deep but not broad, topline level and back is short. Legs are straight, tail is carried high, and feet are compact and small. Overall, they are characterized by good bone and athletic appearance, with a solid straight way of going, including good stride length and freedom of movement.
Recognized Behavior Issues and Traits
Breed Traits Ascribed Include: Renowned for being exceptionally loyal devoted companions, good protectors of home and farm, and are noted to be aloof with strangers. Their training should start early. The mix of hound and terrier leads to independent thinking traits, and they have high intelligence. They need close human contact, and may chew or dig if left alone for extended periods. The hound component means that they tolerate other dogs much better than typical terriers.
They are low shedders, low allergenic dogs and need regular grooming. They are considered high-energy dogs. They are suitable for both town and country as long as regular exercise is provided.
Normal Physiologic Variations
None reported
Drug Sensitivities
None reported
Inherited Diseases
Hip Dysplasia: Polygenically inherited trait causing degenerative joint disease and hip arthritis. OFA reports 11.4% affected.
Elbow Dysplasia: Polygenically inherited trait causing elbow arthritis. OFA reports 11% affected.
von Willebrand's Disease (vWD): Autosomal recessive Type I vWD is reported in the Airedale Terrier. This disease causes a mild bleeding disorder. A genetic test has not been developed in this breed.
Hemophilia B (Factor IX Deficiency): Severe, x-linked recessive bleeding disorder documented in this breed. A genetic test is available.
Patella Luxation: Polygenically inherited laxity of patellar ligaments, causing luxation, lameness, and later degenerative joint disease. Treat surgically if causing clinical signs. Too few Airedale Terriers have been OFA evaluated to determine an accurate frequency.