Breed library

Airedale Terrier

airedale terrier photograph.
Airedale Terrier 2.jpg - Franciaio. CC BY-SA 3.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Airedale_Terrier_2.jpg. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0. License: CC BY-SA 3.0.

Breed overview

It is traditionally called the "King of Terriers" because it is the largest of the terrier breeds. The Airedale was bred from the Old English Black and Tan Terrier and the Otterhound and probably some other Terrier breeds, and has contributed to other dog breeds, such as the Yorkshire Terrier. Originally bred to serve as a versatile hunting and all around working farm dog, this breed has also been used as a war dog, guide dog, and police dog in Britain. In the United States, the breed has been used to hunt big game, upland birds, and water fowl, and serve in many other working capacities.

  • Breed type: dog breedBreed reference breed kind.
  • Country of origin: United KingdomBreed reference country of origin.

Breed facts

  • Airedale, a valley (dale) in the West Riding of Yorkshire, named for the River Aire that runs through it, was the birthplace of the breed.
  • In the mid-19th century, working-class people created the Airedale Terrier by crossing the old English rough-coated Black and Tan Terrier with the Otterhound and an assortment of other breeds.
  • In 1886, the Kennel Club of England formally recognized the Airedale Terrier breed.
  • In 1864 they were exhibited for the first time at a championship dog show sponsored by the Airedale Agricultural Society.
  • In 1879 breed fanciers decided to call the breed the Airedale Terrier, a name accepted by the Kennel Club (England) in 1886.

Size and appearance

The Airedale is the largest of the British terriers. They weigh 19 - 25 kg in fit condition and have a height at the withers of 58 - 61 cm for males, with females slightly smaller. The American Kennel Club standard specifies a very slightly smaller dog. Larger Airedales, up to 55 kg can sometimes be found in North America. They are sometimes referred to as "Oorangs" as this was the name of a kennel in Ohio in the early 1900s that produced this much larger variation, or Roosevelt Terriers. The Airedale has a medium-length black and tan coat with a harsh topcoat and a soft undercoat. The large type have been used for big game hunting and as family guardians or as pets, but usually do poorly in AKC (American Kennel Club) conformation shows. This larger type is also significantly more prone to hip dysplasia than the standard Airedales.

  • Body mass reference: 15.876 - 18.144 kgAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 35 - 40 lb. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Body mass reference: 18.144 - 22.68 kgAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 40 - 50 lb. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Height reference: 55.88 - 58.42 cmAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 22 - 23 in. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Height reference: Up to 59 cmBreed reference height. female, maximum.
  • Height reference: 56 cm or moreBreed reference height. female, minimum.
  • Height reference: 58.42 - 60.96 cmAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 23 - 24 in. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Height reference: Up to 61 cmBreed reference height. male, maximum.
  • Height reference: 58 cm or moreBreed reference height. male, minimum.
  • Coat layers: double
  • Coat length: short
  • Coat length: medium
  • Coat texture: curly
  • Coat texture: wiry
  • Height category: tall
  • Weight category: medium

Personality and behavior

The Airedale can be used as a working dog and also as a hunting dog. Airedales exhibit some herding characteristics as well and have a propensity to chase animals. They have no problem working with cattle and livestock. However, an Airedale that is not well trained will agitate and annoy the animals. The Airedale Terrier, like most terriers, has been bred to hunt independently. As a result, the dog is very intelligent, independent, strong-minded, stoic, and sometimes stubborn. Airedales are also very loyal to their owners. Terriers are bred to hunt small animals and their instinct with small animals is to attack.

  • Attachment and attention seeking (C-BARQ mean): 1.75 / 4Owner-reported attachment and attention seeking factor mean for US reference population Airedale Terrier.
  • Chasing (C-BARQ mean): 2.77 / 4Owner-reported chasing factor mean for US reference population Airedale Terrier.
  • Dog-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 1.37 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Airedale Terrier.
  • Dog-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.83 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed fear factor mean for US reference population Airedale Terrier.
  • Energy (C-BARQ mean): 2.41 / 4Owner-reported energy factor mean for US reference population Airedale Terrier.
  • Excitability (C-BARQ mean): 2.20 / 4Owner-reported excitability factor mean for US reference population Airedale Terrier.
  • Familiar-dog aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.70 / 4Owner-reported familiar-dog aggression factor mean for US reference population Airedale Terrier.
  • Non-social fear (C-BARQ mean): 1.02 / 4Owner-reported non-social fear factor mean for US reference population Airedale Terrier.
  • Owner-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.21 / 4Owner-reported owner-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Airedale Terrier.
  • Separation-related problems (C-BARQ mean): 0.68 / 4Owner-reported separation-related problems factor mean for US reference population Airedale Terrier.
  • Stranger-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.62 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Airedale Terrier.
  • Stranger-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.51 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed fear factor mean for US reference population Airedale Terrier.
  • Touch sensitivity (C-BARQ mean): 1.01 / 4Owner-reported touch sensitivity factor mean for US reference population Airedale Terrier.
  • Trainability (C-BARQ mean): 2.44 / 4Owner-reported trainability factor mean for US reference population Airedale Terrier.

Exercise and activities

Care planning: build a weekly routine with walks, play and time to explore. Enter the minutes and sessions that work for your dog, then compare the weekly total with your available time. Keep notes about the activities your dog enjoys and adjust the routine together.

Training and enrichment

Care planning: choose one everyday skill to practice and keep a record of each session. Note the cue, the reward your dog enjoys and what went well. Rotate familiar games and new activities, and use your notes to choose the next small step.

Coat and grooming

Care planning: use the coat details above to discuss a grooming routine with your groomer. Record brushing sessions, baths and appointments in the app. Add the tools you use and your preferred schedule so the whole household can follow the same routine.

  • Coat layers: double
  • Coat length: short
  • Coat length: medium
  • Coat texture: curly
  • Coat texture: wiry

Health and lifespan

A UK study found a life expectancy of 12 years for the breed compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 for crossbreeds.

  • Lifespan reference: 12 years or moreBreed reference lifespan years.
  • Lifespan reference: Up to 14 yearsBreed reference lifespan years.

Living with this breed

Care planning: compare this profile's adult dimensions, coat care and available activity information with your household's routine. Make a shortlist, plan who will handle daily care and save the questions you want to ask a breed club, rescue or breeder.

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Breed history

Airedale, a valley (dale) in the West Riding of Yorkshire, named for the River Aire that runs through it, was the birthplace of the breed. In the mid-19th century, working-class people created the Airedale Terrier by crossing the old English rough-coated Black and Tan Terrier with the Otterhound and an assortment of other breeds. In 1886, the Kennel Club of England formally recognized the Airedale Terrier breed. In 1864 they were exhibited for the first time at a championship dog show sponsored by the Airedale Agricultural Society. They were classified under different names, including Rough Coated, Bingley and Waterside Terrier. In 1879 breed fanciers decided to call the breed the Airedale Terrier, a name accepted by the Kennel Club (England) in 1886.

Clubs and further reading

Sources

  1. Airedale Terrier - WikipediaWikipedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted excerpts from Wikipedia contributors, Airedale Terrier, revision 1368872145. CC BY-SA 4.0. Formatting, citations and selection changed. Source history: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Airedale_Terrier&action=history
  2. Wikidata structured breed dataWikimedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC0 1.0. Wikidata contributors (CC0).
  3. National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.PLOS ONE / Figshare Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY 4.0. Bohland, Kyle R.; Lilly, Meghan Leanne; Herron, Meghan E.; Arruda, Andréia G.; O’Quin, Jeanette M. (2023). National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.. PLOS ONE. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289356.s003 CC BY 4.0. Selected rows and field names adapted; values unchanged.
  4. File:Airedale Terrier 2.jpgWikimedia Commons Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 3.0. Airedale Terrier 2.jpg - Franciaio. CC BY-SA 3.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Airedale_Terrier_2.jpg. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0.
  5. Palipaws everyday care planningPalipaws Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Palipaws original factual summaries. Palipaws. Original care-planning text, separate from breed measurements and licensed article summaries.
  6. AKC national parent club directoryAmerican Kennel Club Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Factual reference only. Names and verified external links only. No source descriptions, logos or endorsement reused.