Airedale Terrier Puppies For Sale

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The Airedale Terrier or "King of Terriers" as they are known, (from Latin terraor earth) is a unique and internationally recognized breed of terrier with a rich ancestral history.  Airedales are named after the Arie River Valley region, a district in West Riding Yorkshire, England. Bread in Yorkshire, the Airedale was first established in the mid 1800s through a combination of Otter Hound, also known as Waterside Terrier, and Welsh Breed Terrier. The Welsh Breed is also synonymous with the Broken Coated Terrier, Old English Terrier or the Black and Tan Terrier. By 1879, the Airedale was a well known and distinguished breed of terrier. In 1886, they were recognized by the Kennel Club and in 1888 by the American Kennel Club. Champion Master Briar (1897-1906) is reported to be the patriarch of the present day breed. There is an additional type of Airedale known as the Oorang which was bread for size around the 1930’s, but they are not considered good pets due to their propensity for behavioral and medical issues.

Originally, terriers were used to hunt rats in sporting competitions. A terrier that discovered a rat hiding in a burrow signaled hunters who proceeded to unleash a ferret into the hole forcing it out, usually into a river.  Scoring for the competition was based on points; two for finding the hole, and one for a kill. With the ability to navigate water, the Airedale was quite proficient in taking on a wide array of aquatic activities. The competitions using Airedales lasted until the mid 20th century. Today Airedales are owned and loved for a variety of reasons aside from hunting, although that is still a viable use for them.

About

The classical Airedale has a unique look and style that follows a standard pedigree. The coat of the Airedale is considered wiry and hard, but its undercoat is much softer. The color of the coat is generally a combination of black and tan and grizzle and tan. Airedales weight, based on individual dogs, varies between 36-67 lbs, and between 40-65 lbs for show dogs. The average height is usually around 23 inches tall at the shoulder and an inch less with females.  The Airedale is not without health issues, which are common among specially bread dogs. Usually the owner will be required to take their Airedale to a vet within the first year due to any number of problems that include Hip Dysplasia (abnormal development of hip joints), Gastric Torsion (life-endangering distension of the stomach with gas) and skin allergies. However, this should not discourage the true dog lover from owning one. The average life span of an Airedale is between 12 - 14 years and puppies are considered adults after the first year. The Airedale is an active breed of terrier so it is highly recommended that owners not keep them in confined spaces.

Temperament

The modern Airedale Terrier is generally a well mannered dog and known to be quite good around kids, but owners are encouraged to be very careful with their dogs around small children. As puppy’s they are playful, excitable and generally lots of fun. As adults, they make excellent guard dogs; however, they can be quite friendly with strangers. The Airedale has a variety of traits that include bravery, loyalty, intelligence, playfulness, sensitivity, and an eagerness to please an even tempered owner. They do not respond well to harsh orders or overbearing training procedures; therefore, owners should be conscious of this when working with a high caliber dog such as an Airedale. In addition, owners and potential owners must be aware that Airedales are hunters by nature and they will pursue rodents if the opportunity presents itself. Some Airedales can show a degree of dominance over other dogs and are known to not deal well with cats unless brought up with them. If you decide that an Airedale is a dog you would like to own, there are some very specific things you should adhere to before an undertaking such as this. 

Care

The Airedale is an animal that needs a lot of exercise, especially within the first two years and requires a bit less thereafter. This can come in the form of long daily walks or any outdoor exercise that requires a high level of activity either by jogging, playing with a ball, swimming, retrieving objects, or some thoughtful activity created by the owner. If proper attention is not paid to the Airedales physical and mental wellbeing, an owner is simply asking for behavioral problems and perhaps the enhanced possibility of health related issues.

Grooming is an additional aspect of care that is essential to an Airedales state of well being. Due to Airedales short hair and double coat they need to be plucked on average twice yearly; however, if you plan to show an Airedale, then the owner must groom much more diligently. Airedales shed very little hair as adults, but they are known to shed as puppies, so they can be categorized as very light shedders and daily brushing with a pin brush is recommended.  Trimming abundant hair between the pads of the paws is necessary and the more you maintain a well groomed coat the amount of shedding will be greatly reduced. The Airedale additionally has a beard that needs to be washed daily to avoid food build up and prevent other vegetation from becoming lodged in their fur.

Diet is also an important aspect of an Airedales health and well being. It is suggested that owners prepare a diet by hand using food that has potato starch and beef. The Airedale diet should be high in fiber from wheat and oats, but it is suggested that you not feed them beet pulp, soy, or rice; however, other breeders may suggest otherwise. Due to the Airedales propensity to incur problems with skin allergies it is suggested that they be fed “a diet with higher amounts of fatty acids,” especially if taken to a desert climate. Other breeders state that they feed weaned puppies and adults, a raw food diet that can consist of all fresh foods including fish oil, chicken necks and certain vegetables. However, it is highly recommended that owners seek professional advice before deciding the right diet for each individual dog.

Picking an Airedale

One of the challenges of dog ownership is deciding what animal is right for you or your family. If you are looking for an Airedale, there are some guidelines you can follow to help make your decision. First, as mentioned before, the Airedale is in need of plenty of exercise, which must be considered before acquiring them as pets.  Being physically active is paramount to this relationship. Moreover, there are several questions one can ask before taking on this endeavor. Are you flexible, have a good sense of humor, and firm in your ability to set realistic boundaries? Will you or a family member leave the pet alone for more than 6 hours? Can you handle messy beards, muddy paws, and overall dog type messes? And probably the most important, do you have a plan to provide the training necessary to maximize you or your family’s enjoyment from these dogs? If you can answer adequately to these questions then you should consult a licensed breeder to select the Airedale that is right for you.

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