The king of terriers

The Airedale terrier is a German breed that evolved from the Otterhound and Welsh terrier in the mid 19th century. The original purpose for the breed was to hunt fox, badger, weasel, otter, water rat and other small game.

Being owned by Presidents Theodore Roosevelt, Calvin Coolidge,and Warren Harding, as well as earning a great reputation in World War I for bravery on the battlefield, the Airedale popularity skyrocketed. 

The Airedale was given the name "King of Terriers" due to being the largest of the terrier breeds and their all around working ability. They are currently used as police dogs and also excel in protection work.

The majority of Airedales today are pets, however still carry many of their original instincts. They will not think twice about chasing after a squirrel, rabbit or other small fleeing animal, and will ignore your calls to return while in pursuit. Never allow your Airedale to roam off lead or he will most likely find something to pursue. 

Airedales adore their families, and tend to clown around a great bit. They love tossing toys in the air trying to catch them, having you toss snowballs at them to catch, and even burrowing their heads in the snow while running in order to 'plow' the snow. They're usually not destructive dogs, but you should have plenty of durable toys available for them in case they feel the need to chew.  

They adore children and gladly welcome friendly strangers. They are very intelligent and usually an excellent judge of human character. If your Airedale is a bit leery of someone, your best bet is to take the advice of your dog and get away from that person. 

This is not a breed that goes seeking problems. If possible, they will ignore a threat in order to avoid conflict, however if the treat continues, the Airedale will not back down. They will protect their home and family, and if they bark, there is usually a reason for it. This is not a breed that barks just to hear itself. 

Health problems with the breed include hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, von Willebrand's Disease (bleeding disorder), and progressive retinal atrophy. For all four of these problems there are health tests that can be performed on the parents to see if they are carriers of the diseases. Reputable breeders will not breed a dog who is a carrier, which will help to assure that you are purchasing a quality dog. To find a reputable breeder, visit the Reputable Breeder Directory or Airedale Terrier Rescue.