Appearance

The Airedale Terrier is a sturdy looking dog and the largest of the terriers, giving rise to its nickname of The King of Terriers. They have a flat, elongated head, a deep chest, and straight front legs. They wear a rough, wiry coat that resists dampness, generally colored black or grizzle mixed with tan, which is lined by a softer undercoat. They have a distinctive face and expression, with a beard, and the ears fold forward. The tail is short, does not curl over the back, and is often docked.

History

Named for the valley of Aire in England, Airedale Terriers were developed from different hunting and swimming terriers to catch otters and other small game, in addition to curbing the rat population. Commonly used as police, military and farm dogs in the mid-19th century, Airdale Terriers also joined many hunting expeditions to Africa, Canada and India. In addition to hunting and working, Airdales have always been popular show dogs and companions.