Airedale terriers are one of the many low shed, allergy friendly terrier breeds. Whilst terrier breeds come in a range of sizes the Airedale terrier is the largest. You will most likely see Airedales with a black and tan coat, but you might also see some grey and cream in their coat too.
The Airedale terrier is a strong, fast breed of dog because they were bred with a wide range of genetically unique dogs, such as the Otter hound and the Welsh terrier. This specific breed was bred to be ratters, but were also used in WW1 as message carriers though they are now considered family dogs. This unique breed of dog originated the Aire River Valley in England hence the name Airedale (Dale: a valley, especially in northern England.)
One of the reasons this breed is relatively easy to keep clean is because of their low allergy, low shed coat. While the Airedale terrier has a low shed coat, their fur does need to be brushed once a week, but they only have to be washed once a month. The Airedale terrier does need to be groomed four times a year, but they only need to be stripped, a process where you remove the loose hair to thin the coat, when it gets hot (I would recommend taking them to a groomer for stripping.)
One of the reasons this breed of dog is so popular is because of how versatile they are. While they need a 15 minute walk every few days, they are happy being as active as you are. It is best with any dog that you have a big backyard, but the Airedale terrier will be perfectly fine in an apartment if you take them out for a walk and to go to the toilet at least once a day. Since these dogs were bred as ratters (hunters of small animals), I would recommend keeping them separate from any small animals that you might own.
These dogs are friendly, adaptable, courageous, obedient and loyal. Very soon you will create an unbreakable bond between you and your companion. They are quite trainable and will listen, but you need to train them when they are puppies.
Unfortunately like all dogs the Airedale terriers are prone to some health conditions including hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, haemorrhagic gastroenteritis, certain cancers, and allergies. Overbreeding can lead to some of these conditions which is why you must make sure you are purchasing puppies from registered, trusted breeders.
Airedale terriers are a large breed of dog, therefor they live for around 10 to 12 years, but they can live for longer in some cases. Like all dogs they should have a consistent diet of foods that are high in nutrients and are good for them. Any breed of dog should not have fatty food or food that is high in salt. Airedale terriers are prone to being overweight, so they should not be overfed except for maybe the occasional treat.
My experience with this breed has been amazing. I have a 10-year-old female Airedale named Bella. She is a couch potato and loves pats. She gets very excited when we go on walks, yet is very obedient. She enjoys watching each member of our family and is fascinated with watching birds.
Airedale terriers are a wonderful breed of dog that originated in England and have been both work and family dogs for decades. They have always been loyal to people and are a friendly loving dog. If you are considering getting a dog the Airedale terrier is a great choice but always look to adopt.