Airedale Terrier

The Airedale Terrier is the largest of all terrier breeds. The breed is tall and sturdy with a muscular body and covered in a thick, course coat of fur.

Airedale Terriers are known for their heavy shedding and need a high level of grooming compared to many other breeds. Originating in England in the 1800s, the Airedale Terrier was developed by cross breeding a Terrier with an Otterhound, although it is suspected that there are other breeds in the mix. It is widely believed that the old Black and Tan Terrier, together with the Broken Coated Terrier were probably used.

The Airedale Terrier was developed, like most dogs of the time, strictly for the purposes of hunting. Their great strength, paired with their size and agility made them a suitable breed for the hunting of small and medium-sized game such as rats, rabbits and foxes.

While the terrier breeds have the reputation for being quite independent and stubborn animals, the Airedale Terrier is very trainable. The breed is very proud and confident but with a consistent reward-based training regime from an early age, the Airedale Terrier will develop into a very obedient companion dog.