HomeBreeds › Airedale Terrier

Terrier · Medium-Large (50-70 lbs) · 11-14 years

Airedale Terrier

Friendly, clever, courageous; 'King of Terriers' with a sense of humor.

50–70 lb

At a glance

Kid-friendly
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First-time owners
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Energy
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Shedding
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Good with cats
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Alone time
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Apartment OK
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Trainability
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What this is

What they’re great at

✓ Big personality - endless entertainment
✓ Loyal companionship, friendly
Why it matters

Honest challenges

Needs a real outlet, rain or shine
Moderate-high drive doesn't take days off.

What helps: ['Build the outlet into the routine: Hunting versatility', 'Brain work counts double on bad-weather days - see Training School', 'A flirt pole in the yard delivers a workout in ten minutes']
Vocal by design
Alert heritage - announcing things IS the historic job.

What helps: ['Thank-and-redirect: acknowledge the alert, cue quiet, pay the quiet', 'Manage triggers: window film and white noise beat willpower', 'Exercise first - a tired alarm system fires less. Never bark collars']
Prey drive is hardwired
Small fast animals flip an ancient switch - this is wiring, not disobedience.

What helps: ['Management IS the training: never unsupervised with small pets, period', 'Secure fencing plus leash or long line outdoors for life', 'Feed the drive legally: flirt pole and lure-chase games']
Selective about dog friends
Not every dog wants a hundred friends - this breed prefers a curated list.

What helps: ['Quality over quantity: a few calm, known companions beat any dog park', 'Parallel walks are the gold-standard introduction', 'Advocate for their space - declining strange dogs is good ownership']
What you can do

Exercise & training

Exercise: High - 1-2 hrs/day
Training profile — Terrier: Big-dog attitude, endless tenacity. They respond brilliantly to fun, terribly to force. Channel the fire - you cannot extinguish it.
Sports and outlets that suit them: Hunting versatility · Agility · IGP (occasionally)
What you can do

Grooming & coat

Grooming: Moderate-high - hand-stripping or clipping regularly.
Shedding: Light.
Good to know

Health to know about

Hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, bloat, skin infections; generally hardy
Breed-typical tendencies, not a diagnosis. Individual dogs vary enormously — your veterinarian screens for what matters for your dog.
Why it matters

Emergency red flags

Poisoning (chocolate, xylitol, grapes, medications, rodenticide)
Vomiting, drooling, tremors, collapse, or known ingestion
Call ASPCA Poison Control 888-426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline 855-764-7661 immediately; do NOT induce vomiting unless instructed
Know your ER
Save your nearest 24-hour emergency vet's address and phone in your phone TODAY, not during a crisis
BLOAT / GDV - the minutes-matter emergency for this breed
Unproductive retching (trying to vomit, nothing comes), rapidly swelling/hard belly, drooling, pacing, sudden distress after eating
Drive to the ER immediately. Do not wait to see if it passes. Untreated GDV is fatal within hours
This page never carries product links in the emergency section. ASPCA Poison Control (888) 426-4435 · Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661.
Good to know

The numbers

Typical ranges for planning, not promises — costs vary by region, breeder and individual dog.

GroupTerrier
SizeMedium-Large (50-70 lbs)
Lifespan11-14 years
Healthy adult weight50–70 lb
Original purposeHunting otters and rats; later police, military, and big-game work.
Monthly care$100-$160
Typical puppy price$1,000-$2,500

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