Month: February 2021

Airedale Terriers rank high in intelligence and are one of the most versatile in nature. They are used for hunting, companionship, competition and showing, and military and police work. They are both a sporting and a working dog. And they love to swim!

These dogs have been seen on the battlefield and in the Whitehouse. They were the family dog of choice for President Warren G. Harding in the 20s. His dog even had his own chair and was present at cabinet meetings. They are known as the king of the terrier group. They were also owned by Woodrow Wilson, Calvin Coolidge, and Theodore Roosevelt. During WWI they served as messenger dogs to transport mail in the British Army. They were also used on the front lines in the trenches, in the medical tents, and for search and rescue.

They have been a popular breed choice among celebrities for decades. John Wayne had an Airedale Terrier named Little Duke which is where he acquired the nickname. If was an Airedale who inspired the modern movement for humane treatment of dogs.

These dogs are great for allergy suffers because they do not shed. They do not require much grooming, though they should receive a deshedding a few times a year to remove dead hair that gets trapped in their double coat. They are hardy and do well in both cold and warm weather.

They make wonderful hunters and are known for having the largest teeth of all of the terriers. They are highly intelligent and learn fast which makes them very easy to train. They need an owner who will challenge their intelligence and constantly provide a job or they will get bored and get into trouble. They are prey driven and they will chase small animals so they need to be trained to have reliable recall before being trusted off leash. They are strong willed and need firm leadership.

Healthwise, these dogs suffer from few issues but they should be well bred and checked for hip dysplasia.