Grooming
The Airedale’s short, dense, wiry coat doesn’t take long to groom. These pups don’t shed much, so a simple weekly brushing with a slicker brush will take care of those dead hairs and keep the coat healthy.
Get your pup dog-show-ready with a grooming method called “hand stripping,” which leaves their coat a richer color and removes the old loose coat. This only needs to be done (by you or a groomer) three or four times a year. Hand stripping is when you pull out the dead hair by hand or with a stripping tool. Bathe your pup while you hand-strip them. If you keep up with brushing, they don’t need many baths—unless they get into something stinky.
Aim to brush your Airedale’s teeth daily. It’s essential to use a doggy-specific toothpaste and toothbrush. Start your puppy off young with a toothpaste flavor they enjoy to get them used to the dental care process, and be sure to schedule an annual cleaning by your vet.
Your pup’s nails will need a trim about every four weeks, or when you start seeing (or hearing!) their nails touch the floor.
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Training
Airedales are incredibly versatile but need consistent training to reach their full potential—they can be quite a handful without it. They’re independent pups who may think they’re the boss! You need to be a confident, calm and patient leader to bring out the best in an Airedale, so they often do best if you have previous dog experience.
Proper training begins early when your Airedale is still a puppy. Start with the basic obedience training, teaching commands like sit, stay and come, and how to walk nicely on a leash. But don’t stop there! Airedale terriers are intelligent, versatile and capable dogs, excelling at, among other things, sports, including agility, obedience and tracking. Play to their natural smarts and teach them more complicated tricks, like shaking paws, closing the curtains or putting away toys. Like with other dogs, positive reinforcement training is key—treats, praise and special playtime will help make training fun for both of you.
Remember to include socialization. Safely introduce your pup to new people and new situations to help them be OK with meeting new people, dogs and places as they grow up. Puppy preschool is a great place to practice socialization. Here, pups learn to play nicely with each other and mix and mingle with other adults.
If you’re training an adult Airedale that you’ve adopted, go slowly and keep things relaxed. Sometimes, your dog’s previous owner didn’t train them, and they may be “set in their ways.” It may take you more time to convince them your way is better. If you’re introducing an adult dog to other adult dogs, try a relaxed, no-pressure walk in the park as a first introduction to a new acquaintance rather than a busy family BBQ with kids and dogs free-ranging with food and toys in the mix.
If you need more clarification on any aspect of training, consider getting help from a certified dog trainer to help you and your pet achieve your goals.
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Diet
Airedale Terriers typically do well on high-quality commercial dog food. Be sure to factor in your dog’s age and choose a formula that fits their stage in life (puppy, adult, senior). Look for the statement on the packaging that says it meets the nutritional standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials.
Even though these pups are very active, they can still add extra pounds if they eat more than they exercise. And with all the training you’ll be doing with your pup, it’s possible to reward them too much! Instead of always using treats, mix in a massage or game of fetch as your pup’s reward. And check with your vet; they can help you put together a mealtime and exercise plan to help shed the extra weight and maintain your pup’s nutritional needs.
Side note: Some Airedales may be picky eaters, so you may need to search for food they truly enjoy. Certain Airedale Terriers may benefit from a food formula designed for dogs with a sensitive stomach. But always consult with your veterinarian when developing your dog’s diet, as they are in the best position to help you pick the right food for your dog based on their needs.
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Exercise
When you think of a “terrier,” a high-energy dog is probably part of the image. And that’s true for Airedale Terriers. Generally, these pups need a fair amount of exercise, about one or two hours every day. You can satisfy their energy level by playing fetch, jogging or taking brisk walks. Families who already enjoy being active are a great match for an Airedale. While access to a fenced yard will help your dog fulfill their exercise needs (they’ll love to speed around the yard!), it’s possible to have an Airedale Terrier without a fenced yard—you just have to be willing to put in extra effort with long walks and jogs (on a leash, of course).
If you don’t have an at-home Airedale play paradise (i.e., a backyard), look to local dog parks as a place to exercise your pet. Just remember that Airedales pick their doggie friends carefully and may not enjoy dog parks. So be warned: If you don’t have your own yard and dog parks are out, your Airedale won’t have an outlet for running off-leash, so you (or your family) must devote a lot of time to exercising your dog.
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Environment
Airedale Terriers can be a good choice for families. Many of them love to play—sometimes enjoying rough-and-tumble games—so adding an Airedale to the mix with your kids can be an excellent combination when your pup’s properly socialized and playtime is supervised. Airedales are devoted to their family and are often content to hang out with those they love best, but they can get along well with guests and other dogs provided they are appropriately socialized and you make introductions slowly.
Airedales are high energy dogs, and would do best in homes with large, fenced-in yards. That’s not to say they couldn’t do well in small homes or apartments without a fenced-in yard. As long as their relatively high exercise needs are met through other means (like long walks, jogs and other outdoor adventures), they’ll thrive.
Speaking of exercise, Airedales are an excellent choice for active pet parents and families—people who love getting outdoors, going places and having fun. And they’re a solid choice for more experienced pet parents who understand dog training and how to lead their pet.
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