Characteristics

The head and ears should be tan, the ears being of a darker shade than the rest. The legs up to the thighs and elbows and the under-part of the body and chest are also tan and the tan frequently runs into the shoulder. The sides and upper parts of the body should be black or dark grizzle. A red mixture is often found in the black. A small white blaze on the chest is a characteristic of certain strains of the breed. Dogs measure approximately 23 inches in height at the shoulder; bitches, slightly less. Both sexes should be sturdy, well muscled and boned.

Owning

The Airedale Terrier is the largest of the terrier breeds. The Airedale's coat is tan with black markings on the sides and upper parts of the body. The coat is dense and wiry; it requires a great deal of grooming and may need professional help to maintain. Airedales are a good natured and fun-loving breed. They have an excellent reputation with children, but should always be supervised during play.

Did You Know

The Airedale was one of the first breeds used for police duty in Germany and Great Britian. From 1864 and on, the earlier Airedales were called Working, Waterside, and Bingley Terriers. The breed was used for wartime guard, messenger duty, rodent control, hunting birds and game.