Airedale terrier- Things you should know before buying

The Airedale Terrier is also known as the king of all Terriers.There are also other names that you can refer to this dog as such as Bingley Terrier or Waterside Terrier. He is a self-assured, dignified, and courageous dog as an adult and rowdy as a puppy.

Being the 55th most popular dog in the US of A, this pooch can be a handful to deal with and is not ideal for all kinds of lifestyles.

There is a lot that any dog lover needs to learn before deciding to adopt or buy this doggo.

But if you were looking for information about the King of all Terriers you have come to the right place. Together we are going to go through all that you need to know about this breed.

So, let us get right into it. 

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About the Airedale Terrier

First thing first, the thing that comes to most dog lovers’ minds when they hear about the Bingley Terrier is “dignified” and “regal.”

This may be used to perfectly sum up this dog but there is more that he has to offer you as a dog owner.

These dogs earned the term “king of all Terriers” not only because of their looks but also because of their personality traits. They are large dogs that are complimented by having a beard.

With their names being derived from the Aire Valley of North England these are the largest Terriers.

And for you to take care of such a large dog you need to understand his needs. He needs lots of physical activities and affection and failure to do so may lead him to become destructive and he entertains himself.

They will easily fill your garden with holes when they are bored.

But every dog is different from the other and it all comes down to how you raise yours and how you train him.

A well-trained and socialized Airedale Terrier is a well-behaved pooch that you will love as part of you.

Bingley Terrier origin

Alley valley is found in the North of England and is about 100 miles from the Scottish border. This is where the Airedale Terrier was bred by mill workers in the mid-1800s.

If you are good at history you also know that this was around the time when the industrial revolution had begun.

These workers wanted a dog that could help them hunt ducks and rats and they managed to create a large and fearless Terrier.

It is believed that the Bedlington Terrier and the Irish Terrier may have played a part in the creation of this breed. Other dogs such as retrievers, herding, and setter dogs may have been used too.

However, what we can tell you for sure is that the now extinct Black and Tan Terrier and Otterhound were the main dogs that were mixed to create the Bingley Terrier.

Apart from hunting ducks and vermin these doggos also help in herding and protecting livestock.

During the first world war, soldiers would use them as guard dogs and messengers.

They arrived in the US in 1880 where people very much appreciated the skills that this dog had.

It is no surprise that most of the people that owned this incredible canine are either athletes, big-game hunters, law enforcers, and even actors.

You can now find them in homes where they make excellent pets and companions. They also play part in the protection of their families which means that they are great guard dogs.

Recognition

This doggo was not recognized by the American Kennel Club until 1888. The UKC recognized this dog later in 1914.

Pros and cons of the Waterside Terrier

Pros

✓These dogs are affectionate and loyal towards people they consider family.

✔They are adaptable and fun-loving doggos.

✓Airedale Terriers have low grooming needs.

Cons

✘They can be strong-willed and stubborn from time to time.

✗These dogs need a lot of physical stimulation which can be too much for some people.

✘They don’t tend to get along well with other dogs and small animals. This is mainly because of their high prey drive.

Airedale Terrier appearance and general characteristics

Size

The Bingley Terrier is a large-sized dog.

Females can reach between 22–23 inches and weigh as much as 50 pounds while males can be between 23–24 inches tall and weigh as much as 70 pounds.

Physical looks

This is a dog that has an intelligent expression and a well-balanced tan head.

They also have black noses and small eyes that are dark-brown which adds to that intelligent look.

Airedales have tan-colored ears with some being erect and others have dropping ears.

These are some of the features that you can expect on this dog according to the breed standards.

Coat appearance

The coat of a waterside Terrier is dense. They have double coats with the undercoat being soft while the upper coat is wiry and stiff.

Airedales with the hardest coats can be crinkly or slightly waved. Curly coats are undesirable.

You will be excited by the fact that these dogs do not shed much and you can still reduce the amount of shedding through grooming the coats.

And because of this, they are a great choice for people that suffer from allergies because their coats are hypoallergenic.

Waterside Terriers can come in several colors that include;

🐶Black saddle with ears, heads, and legs that are tan.

🐶Dark grizzled saddle(gray mixed with white and black)

🐶Red and tan(this color is not recognized)

Personality traits and Temperament of the Airedale Terrier

Knowing a dog’s personality traits can be the deciding factor for whether you are going to get him or not. So, what does the king of all Terriers have to offer?

These pooches are very intelligent and their personalities are great.

They just want to be where you are because they thrive on human affection making them loving and loyal companion dogs.

Sometimes you can mistake this doggo’s free-spiritedness and intelligence for being stubborn. They just have their idea of how things should be done and you just need to train them because they learn through the consequences of their behaviors.

If you understand his needs and take care of them you are surely going to get a lot of od love from this dog not forgetting about work.

You will also be in for lots of laughter because there is never a dull moment with the Bingley Terrier.

These adorable Terriers can protect their families and homes making them great guard dogs.

However, you should make sure that they do not get bored or left alone for long because they can be sneaky and destructive. They can end up digging, barking, and even chasing other animals as they try to entertain themselves which people often find undesirable.

Family compatibility

By now you already get the idea that these are great family dogs as long as you can keep them active. They will give you love and devotion if you treat them correctly.

When they are trained to interact with children they make great playmates and companions for them.

However, they can be very unforgiving or rough treatment and you should make sure that you supervise their play.

Smaller animals may have a rough time living with this dog as they like to chase them. This is mainly because of their high prey drive which you can reduce through training and socialization.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Airedale Terrier Shed?

Yes, Airedales do not shed but it is not much as other dogs do. Their shedding is minimal which certain times of the years where they shed more(spring and Fall).

Are Waterside Terriers aggressive dogs?

Airedales can have strong hunting instincts which can be confused with aggression towards some animals, especially small ones. They are also aloof to strangers and not necessarily aggressive to them but it all comes down to the individual dog and how you socialize him.

Are Airedales Terriers hard to train?

Bingley Terriers are free thinkers that can make them hard to train. During the training, they need minimal distractions and in return, you should be able to make them learn new tricks and commands because of how intelligent they are.

Bingley Terrier Puppies

An Airedale mother can give birth to a litter of around 5 to 9 puppies.

These puppies take about 18 months to reach maturity and be fully grown. This can be different from one pup to the other but this is the time that most of them take to reach adulthood.

Puppies are extremely playful and curious and should be handled with care.

To get one of these puppies from a reputable breeder it could cost you anywhere between $600 to $1300. This will depend on the breeder, the location, and the line of the puppies.

Superior pedigree and top-line Airedales could cost you as high as $7000. These are for the dog lovers that want to take part in dog shows.

Adoption is another great option that can help you save some money on buying a puppy. The price for adopting a dog should not exceed $250.

Grooming Airedales

Airedale Terriers are not high maintenance and they do not shed much either.

Brushing the coat twice every week to get rid of loose hair and tangles will keep it looking good and minimize any shedding.

You should hand strip the coat several times a year to prevent it from looking untidy or becoming too thick.

Hand stripping is where you use a serrated knife to remove loose hair from the coat.

Bathing should not be done frequently but only when they get smelly and dirty. Airedales that play in the garden most of the time can come across some plants that can make them smelly.

If this happens to you, use a damp cloth to wipe the coat and this will also get rid of some of the loose fur. With all that said a bath once a month should be enough to tale care of this dog and not strip the coat of essential oils.

Make sure that you also take care of their ears and check them for any signs of infections. Trim the nails when they start becoming long.

Also, do not forget about this dog’s dental hygiene by brushing their teeth and giving them chewable dental toys.

Exercise requirements

Upwards of 60 minutes of daily exercise is required to meet the physical needs that this dog has.

These are high energy canines that need lots of exercises from daily walks to take them for runs and even playing games like dock diving.

However, you should always remember to use a leash when you are taking them for walks to prevent them from wandering off when they find something more interesting than you.

If you have a well-fenced backyard that would be great to let this dog play and explore.

Feeding and nutritional requirements of the Airedale Terrier

Waterside Terriers thrive on high-quality diets that are formulated for large dogs. Whether it is dry, raw or even wet food that is a decision that is up to you to make with the help of your veterinarian.

These dogs need about 20 calories for every pound that they weigh.

You should make sure that the diet is high on fats and proteins for bodybuilding and repair.

These dogs are prone to suffering from gastric torsion or bloat which can be caused by feeding the dog too fast.

Therefore you should use a slow feeder or divide the meals into several portions to avoid feeding all at once.

Training a Waterside Terrier

The King of all Terriers is a fairly easy dog to train but this can be made high by their free-thinking.

Dogs learn by conditioning. A furry friend is likely to repeat a certain behavior if it is encouraged and never do if they are ignored.

Positive reinforcement and reward-based training is the best way that you can train this dog. You should also look for a place that has minimal distractions because they can easily get distracted.

Punishment is never an option when training any dog as they can turn to be aggressive as they try to defend themselves.

Be patient and very consistent with training because this is a process that takes time. Do not try to force them to do something that they do not want.

Early socialization is very helpful when it comes to the relation of this pooch with other people and animals.

Some of the health issues

Airedale Terriers are known to be healthy and generally robust dogs, but just like any other doggo, they are also prone to some health conditions some of which are genetic and can be inherited.

Some of the most common health issues are;

Hypothyroidism slows down metabolism when the thyroid glands underperform. This condition can be managed once diagnosed through thyroid medication.

Bingley Terrier is also susceptible to hip and elbow dysplasia which is a result of abnormal positioning of the hip and elbow joints. This can be a very painful condition for a dog and can lead to lameness and arthritis if it is left untreated.

Heart conditions such as Dilated Cardiomyopathy are also common with this dog breed.

Food and other allergies also occur a lot and affect the skin most of the time. Visit your vet if you think that your Airedale Terrier may have any form of allergy to be able to identify and manage them.

These pooches have a lifespan of between 11 to 14 years depending on their health.

Airedale Terrier Summary

The Airedale is an incredible dog that originated from the Aire Valley in the North of England and is also known as the King of Terriers.

These dogs have an adorable demeanor and are very playful. If you decide to add this pooch as part of your family you are sure not to have any dull moments with him.

However, this is not a dog for everyone as his exercise needs can be too much especially if you have a tight schedule.

There are many things that you need to consider before getting this canine friend so that he does not end up in a dog shelter.

So, what do you think about this breed? Is he fit for your kind of lifestyle?

Give us your response and feedback in the comment section below.

There you go WOOF!!

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