Airedale Terrier - description, characteristics of the breed, character traits and maintenance of dogs (85 photos)

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The Airedale Terrier is a very lively and spontaneous pet; its character has both independence and devotion to its owner. To gain authority in the eyes of your pet, you need to take his wishes into account, but at the same time, not allow him too much. But if you manage to find an approach to him, he will become an excellent family pet.

Health and illness

Representatives of this breed have good health, but their life expectancy is directly dependent on nutrition and care. A proud dog will never show his suffering. Therefore, every change in behavior should be monitored by the owner based on the dog’s already formed habits. The Welsh Terrier has the greatest predisposition to the following diseases:

• Joint inflammation;
• Skin cancer;
• Lack of thyroid hormones;
• Susceptible to various vision problems.

History of the origin of the Airedale Terrier

The Airedale Terrier breed originated around the 1840-50s in Great Britain, or more precisely, in the Airedale Valley located in Yorkshire, after which it was named. Airedale terriers were bred by crossing other terriers: red and Old English tan (but this is only one version, others include setters, retrievers, bull terriers, and so on).

Local dog breeders were crossbreeding for a reason: they wanted to get a breed ideally suited for hunting otters and water rats. Airedale terriers turned out to be just like that: strong, fast and agile, and also smart. As a result, they quickly began to spread, because more and more hunters wanted to get such a pet.

It soon became clear that Airedale Terriers are capable of fulfilling many other roles, including being a family pet - affectionate and kind, but capable of standing up for family members if necessary. At first, the breed did not have its own name, and they were called differently, depending on the region of Britain.

Then the Airedale Terriers continued to change: experts believe that the blood of Irish Volokhounds, Otterhounds and Basset Griffons appeared in them. Only by 1886 were the name and standard of the breed approved. By that time, Airedale Terriers had already actively participated in exhibitions and were quite widespread throughout the country.

By the end of the century, the breed began to be bred outside of Britain, and at the beginning of the 20th century it appeared in Russia. During both world wars, these dogs showed themselves clearly, both times causing a surge of interest in the breed after their end. They performed the roles of rescuers, orderlies, sappers, postmen, and demonstrated devotion and fearlessness.

A Brief History of the Airedale Terrier

Airedale Terrier Dog
English wire-haired black and tan terriers, as well as Otterhounds (swimming dogs), fox and badger hunters are the ancestors of Airedales. They hunted small game on the low-lying plains of the Warf Cock, Calder, and Aire rivers. The dogs worked both alone and in packs: they drove the prey to its lair, where they then killed it.

Hunting terriers had to be of impressive size, since small dogs were not able to cope with prey. At the same time, it is difficult for a large dog to move in a dark hole.

British black terriers had excellent scent, vigilance, agility, and courage

Basic requirements for hunting terriers:

• excellent sense of smell, helping to quickly find prey and then independently drive it out of the hole;
• the ability to pursue for a long time and not be afraid to kill.

Black terriers and Otterhounds, the predecessors of Airedales, had such advantages. But the hunters wanted one dog to cope with all problems.

Otterhounds are agile swimmers

Hunters crossed black terriers with otterhounds so that one dog would inherit the best qualities. But the traits, both external and in behavior, that met the needs did not immediately appear. For decades, British terriers were crossed with herding dogs and Irish wolfhounds, until in 1880 the Airedale terrier Bruce won the main prize among dogs in his class at an exhibition in America. 6 years later (1886), the Airedale Terrier was registered as a new breed at the National Dog Lovers Club.

During the Russo-Japanese War, Airedales became known in Russia. At the request of the Russian Empire, dogs were brought from London to serve as orderlies and signalmen on a par with humans.

Animals helped field doctors find and pull out the wounded, and delivered information to places where there was no communication

Erdeli have brought considerable benefits, for which the breed is appreciated and loved by dog ​​breeders all over the world. The glory days are a thing of the past, but since then the Russian land has become a second home for Elder Terrier dogs.

Note! Before the dogs were recorded as Airedale Terriers, the breed developed was called the Shore or Greater Bedlington.

Until now, many people mispronounce the name, saying: Elder Terrier, El Terrier, Del Terrier, Elder Terrier-dog.

Airedale Terrier - description of the breed

Bitches are shorter than males and weigh less, but the differences are insignificant, within 5-8%. The Airedale Terrier's body is muscular, strong and resilient. They have a penetrating look and a harmonious build: when you look at them, it does not seem that they are too tall or long.

The breed standards are:

• The head is small, the skull is flat and elongated, harmoniously blending into the front part;
• The jaws are very strong, making the muzzle seem quite massive. The jaw bones should not be overdeveloped;
• The nose is medium-sized, the nose is black;
• The eyes are quite small, it is desirable that the color of the iris be as dark as possible. Gray color is considered undesirable;
• Small triangular ears. They should not hang or be too high;
• The neck is muscular, of medium length;
• The body looks compact and has a smooth top line. The loin is muscular and the chest is deep but not wide;
• Straight legs, shoulder blades pulled back. The thighs are massive, their muscles provide the ability to push strongly with the hind legs;
• It used to be customary to dock the tail, but now breed standards require it to be left on. It should be longer than average and raised;
• The coat is hard and thick, with a short undercoat - it is much softer.

Deviations from these standards are recognized as defects, but if they are very pronounced - disqualifying defects.

There are a number of shortcomings that are immediately considered vices, among them:

• Malocclusion;
• Eyesore;
• Lack of undercoat;
• Deviations in behavior - excessive aggression or cowardice;
• Significant deformations in the dog's constitution.

Breed standard

The description of this breed has always been based on the size of the dogs, as this is what distinguishes the Airedale from the classic terriers of England. However, the population of the first dogs was so “different in size” that it was impossible to indicate a specific height. Therefore, a diplomatic decision was made: in 1902, the desired weight range was officially fixed for the first time: 18-20 kg.

The current FCI standard No. 7 of 2014 has clear instructions in this regard:

height at withers 58-61 cm for males, females 2 cm lower. However, deviations of approximately 2 cm are considered acceptable.

Thus, the Airedale Terrier is considered a large dog, with features of a traditional terrier.

The Airedale format is close to square. Dogs that are compact and not long-legged are valued. A strong body, a flat back with a shortened loin, and a well-developed chest create the impression of stability, but without roughness.

Clean line heads give dogs a special charm. The skull is flat, the transition to the muzzle is poorly defined, and high cheekbones are extremely undesirable. The Airedale's muzzle is quite powerful, with a well-developed lower jaw. Scissor bite.

A prerequisite is a black nose and dark, almost black eyes with a characteristic look.

The triangular ears point downwards (not towards the edge of the eye, as in the Fox Terrier). They are not placed on the cartilage, but only slightly above the line of the skull.

The Airedale has a rather long, muscular neck, dry and without folds. Although the document does not write about this, the modern type of dog is with pronounced withers, high in front. They have a smooth, beautiful top line and an equally harmonious, without disruption, bottom line.

The real adornment of a dog is its strong, high-set tail. It should not twist and lie on its back.

The coat is like that of a typical wire-haired terrier and consists of two layers. The dense soft undercoat is completely covered with strong elastic guard hair with a break. The breed's hairstyle is not described in the standard. A beard, mustache and eyebrows are expected; “columns” of elongated wool are formed on the forelimbs; the hind limbs are decorated only on the inside. Grooming emphasizes the compact format and elegant neck.

Another recognizable point is the color. It can only be black-backed, that is, red with a blackened top, without clear boundaries. The color intensity varies, with black hairs sometimes mixing with red ones.

Great importance is attached to the correct movements of the terrier, which depends on the level of balance of all sections of the front and hind limbs. The Airedale's gait is like that of a real terrier, springy and light.

Terriers in the show ring must demonstrate a lively temperament, interest and calm confidence. Evil and cowardly dogs are rejected.

Popular Airedale Terrier Colors

The breed standard is the black saddle color. The background is red, with a saddle cloth on it - black or grizzly color. The dog's neck, temples and ears are a richer red, turning into reddish-brown.

It is acceptable for there to be white stripes on the chest and between the toes of the forelimbs, but if such spots are on the paws, they are considered a defect, just like a “star” on the animal’s chest.

Interesting fact: The black-and-black color is caused by the synthesis of pheomelanin instead of eumelanin in some areas of the coat and, depending on the genetic characteristics of the pet, its color can change in one direction or the other, and it is difficult to understand from the puppy what it will be like: they are born dark , sometimes almost to blackness.

That is, in some Airedales, red predominates, and even has splashes of red on the back; in others, on the contrary, black predominates, and there is noticeably less red than usual. Manifestations of color variability are varied: for example, the muzzle can be darkened to a greater or lesser extent, the same applies to the ears and temples.

There may or may not be a “collar” on the neck, and the tan marks on the body may be darker or lighter. Rarely are Airedales with a tan color and a coat that is softer and longer than normal. The most desirable is the classic, balanced color option.

All of the listed deviations from it are not welcome and are assessed depending on the degree of severity, but if you are purchasing a dog not for exhibitions, but as a pet, then the main thing is that its color is pleasant to you, and does not meet the strict criteria of breed standards.

How to choose a puppy

The Mini Airedale Terrier is widely popular throughout Russia and there should be no problems in purchasing a puppy.

To evaluate a purebred Airedale terrier puppy, it is important to pay attention to the following features:

• A flat head from the tip of the nose to the back of the head, flat cheeks, a massive, blunt face.
• The shape of the head should evoke an association with a small brick.
• The pile cover should have a shine and feel pleasant to the touch.

There should be no additional spots in the color. White inclusions in the toe area are acceptable. In the case where the white shade is located above the fingers, this is an indicator of breeding marriage.

A puppy that is already a month old is considered suitable for purchase; it is at this age that it can already be separated from its mother. When purchasing a Mini Airedale puppy with a pedigree, you are given a card that contains information about the puppy: date of birth, names of parents, address of the breeder, nickname and anthropometric data.

The card can be exchanged for a pedigree when the puppy reaches six months. The cost, which depends on the place of purchase, pedigree and parameters of the puppy, can vary in the range of 23 to 29 thousand rubles.

Character and habits of Airedale Terriers

These dogs are characterized by cheerfulness and intelligence. At the same time, they demonstrate independence, sometimes turning into stubbornness, which is clearly manifested during their training. You will have to find an approach to your pet, and sometimes spend a lot of time, to overcome his reluctance to cooperate.

At the same time, Airedale Terriers must be well trained, otherwise there will be many problems with them. Therefore, they should be chosen only by those who have already owned dogs, and not just any dogs, but those belonging to breeds prone to dominance - because Airedale Terriers are very prone to it, and without experience they cannot be raised properly.

Not every Airedale Terrier can learn to live in the same house with other pets. If they appeared before him, or when he was still a puppy, the probability is much higher, but placing a new pet in the same home with an adult Airedale Terrier is not the best idea.

They may accept a cat or dog of a non-dominant breed, but conflicts with another dog of a dominant breed are inevitable. With proper socialization, they get along well with family members. They are always happy if children want to play with them, but they differ from some other breeds in that they do not get away with excessive pranks.

This must be taken into account and the child must be taught to respect the pet, because careless actions can make him very angry. If the child is too small to understand this, then you need to get a pet of a different breed. If the Airedale Terrier was the first to appear in the apartment, adults should always be present when the child has contact with him.

They become very attached to the owner and the whole family, but at first they consider everyone else to be strangers, although they do not show aggression towards guests if they see that the owners are accepting them - they are simply wary. It is not difficult to make friends with an Airedale Terrier that belongs to a friend; you just need to treat him kindly, but without excessive familiarity.

Interesting fact: Despite their attachment to their owner, they can often show an obstinate disposition, trying to test his strength, so from time to time they need to be put in their place, showing toughness, but in no case cruelty. You shouldn't even overuse screaming.

If you find an approach to your pet, training will be greatly simplified: they are smart and able to remember commands very quickly. True, they only train when they want to, and they can lose interest in training right in the middle - it’s unlikely that it will be possible to force the Airedale Terrier to continue it.

Among these dogs you won’t find quiet and phlegmatic ones, so the Airedale Terrier won’t let you get bored, but he also requires attention: someone needs to play and communicate with him, otherwise he will start to feel sad. It is extremely unprofitable to allow this, because in sadness he likes to spoil furniture, shoes, peel off wallpaper and generally actively engage in sabotage.

With a fighting character and readiness to protect their owner, well-mannered Airedale Terriers are not the first to attack people: they do this only if they themselves have demonstrated aggression. At the same time, they are always ready to chase cats around, but most often only for the sake of sport, without biting.

Character

Airedale Terriers have a very active, cheerful, cheerful character. They are ready to play all day long. They are loyal to their owner and sense his mood well. Despite their activity, they can lie at their owner’s feet for hours, warming them. The dog is fearless, but not aggressive or angry. He will always defend his owner.

Like all terriers, she is very stubborn, with strong feelings of possessiveness. Therefore, it is difficult to get along with other pets and the owner is jealous of them. The owner's character must be confident and firm, otherwise the pet will manipulate him. Due to its activity, it needs frequent, long walks and physical activity. You cannot put a dog on a chain or enclosure; it needs socialization and education.

Important! If the animal lives in an apartment, then due to frequent loneliness, lack of attention from the owner, and rare walks, it will become angry and damage furniture and clothes.

Interesting facts about Airedale Terriers

You always have to keep your eyes open with them: they are smart and inventive. For example, if an Airedale Terrier has the opportunity to somehow open the door to the kitchen, he will definitely do this, get into the cabinets and get himself something tasty. Since they were bred to hunt waterfowl, they themselves are also good at and love to swim, not only in warm, but also in rather cold water.

If an Airedale Terrier does not understand a command or exercise that you want to teach it for a long time, it means that in fact it understands everything perfectly. He's just pretending because he's bored and doesn't want to train. Therefore, you shouldn’t repeat the same thing more than three times - it’s better to just stop doing it.

If you continue to repeat, he will begin to like the persuasion itself, which will have an extremely bad effect on further training. Instead, next time try a different approach to the training process to get your pet interested in it. And start training as early as possible, before he has yet to gain cunning.

Airedale Terriers are distinguished by a pronounced sense of possessiveness: no matter how well the pet treats you, it will not give up its things and will stand for toys to the last. Sometimes he may like someone else's toy, and if he decides to appropriate it, then returning it will also be very difficult.

And they love to steal: next to their bed or in the booth there may be many different toys and trinkets that they had their eye on, and then they mysteriously disappeared. Therefore, if something necessary disappears, the first suspect is usually the Airedale Terrier.

During the First World War, many Airedale Terriers distinguished themselves, and the most famous among them was Jack. He brought messages from the battlefield to headquarters, overcoming the most difficult terrain and not being afraid of artillery shelling. Jack was wounded more than once, but continued to work until his death - he died of his wounds after delivering the last message, thanks to which the battalion was saved, and he received the Victoria Cross, a British award given for heroism.

Origin of the breed

Over the years, the Airedale Terrier dog has been a hunter, companion, bodyguard and even a rescuer. The story began in the 19th century, in England, where the breed was created for the purpose of further hunting martens, foxes and badgers. Over time, there have been more options, but even today hunters take Airedales with them on hunts.

Breed standards that determined breeding characteristics were established in 1888. Airedale Terriers have become a favorite not only in England, but also in the United States. Proof of this was the competition in 1910 called the Erdel Cup. This increased the excitement around these dogs.

The breed quickly spread among both hunters and pet lovers. Gracefulness, eye-catching color and friendly attitude towards people around them set Airedales apart from other breeds. In 1963, dogs of this breed were registered by the International Canine Federation.

Airedels took part in the First World War: they delivered messages between units of the British army.

The Airedale Terrier breed began to actively spread in European countries in the 80s of the 20th century. Then its representatives appeared in Montenegro, Hungary, France and many other nearby states.

Pros and cons of Airedale Terriers

Like any dog, the Airedale Terrier has strengths and weaknesses, and it is worth weighing them carefully before buying one. Do not focus only on appearance, and do not expect that your pet will adapt to your character - within certain limits, he will do this, but he will not be able to change completely.

Advantages of the breed:

• Intelligence and good memory - when trained, the pet is able to quickly remember commands, and in difficult situations can make the right decision much faster than the owner. This makes Airedale Terriers good working dogs;
• Loyalty and fearlessness - the pet is always ready to fight for its owner, even if the balance of power is not in its favor. There are many known cases in which wounded Airedale terriers defended their owners to the last;
• Emotional stability – a well-bred Airedale will not have outbursts of aggression; it will not just attack a person. True, this does not apply to animals, here he is guided by instincts;
• Good attitude towards family members - the Airedale is usually cheerful and happy to have company.

Cons of these pets:

• Willfulness and stubbornness - because of these qualities, raising a pet can be difficult, and even after it is trained, sometimes it suddenly loses interest in completing the owner’s tasks and decides to mind its own business. It is very difficult to convince him in such cases;
• He is too active - he requires a lot of attention, and it’s good if the family has someone to play with him every day. If you don't give your pet proper attention, he will start to get angry in every possible way. Time is also needed for his training: they will have to be spent not only with a young dog, but also with an adult;
• The need to care for the coat - regular combing and trimming are required, and it is better to hire a specialist for trimming;
• Hunting instincts often prevent him from getting along with other pets; in addition, neighbors may be unhappy that he chases their cats and dogs.

Diseases and life expectancy

It is believed that this breed of dog gets sick less often and not as severely as others. Common diseases include:

• hip dysplasia;
• eczema;
• eye diseases (corneal dystrophy, entropion and retinal atrophy);
• dilated cardiomyopathy.

For any disease, you should consult a specialist rather than try to cure it yourself. Dogs have a lifespan like most others. They live from 10 to 15 years.

Airedale Terriers live well in a city apartment. The main thing is healthy food and good care. Then keeping a pet will be a great pleasure.

Breeding Airedale Terriers

If your pet is rated “excellent” or “good”, then you can try breeding. You can breed males from 15 months, females from 18 months, but you shouldn’t rush too much, it’s better to wait until they are 2 years old. In general, you should approach the issue of breeding responsibly, and remember that Airedale Terriers are not one of the most popular breeds.

This is important for two reasons: firstly, it is not so easy to find a mate for breeding a pet. If you live in a big city, of course, there will be a dozen candidates, but you also need to choose the right one from them, and in small cities the search problem is much more acute.

Secondly, it is not always easy to place puppies even if they meet all the breed criteria. Be prepared that some of them will stay with you for a long time, and many of them are born - 10-13 puppies are not at all uncommon. They will be very noisy and active, and will definitely turn everything in the house upside down.

Raising them will also require a lot of effort: puppies need to be especially carefully looked after, vaccinated and fed 6 times a day - breed only if you are ready for all these tests. Before this, you need to remove worms from your pet and conduct an examination.

Pregnancy lasts 2 months, and whether mating has brought results can be determined by the lethargy of the pet. In the fourth week after mating, pregnancy can be shown by ultrasound. During pregnancy, it is necessary to review the dog’s diet, taking into account the veterinarian’s recommendations, and before giving birth, it is better to prepare a draft-protected and shaded place at least a week in advance.

Performance evaluation and information

• Country of origin: UK.
• Height: males - 58-61 cm, females - 56-59 cm.
• Weight: males - 23-29 kg, females - 18-20 kg.
• Life expectancy: 10-15 years.
• Litter: 6-9 puppies, average 7.
• Group: terrier.
• Recognized by: CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR.
• Coat length: medium.
• Coat color: black and white. The body, tail and top of the neck are black or gray. All other areas are brownish-yellow. The ears are mostly dark brown.
• Shedding: trimming is required every 6 months.
• Size: medium.
• Contents in the apartment: suitable.

Airedale Terrier Care

These dogs are very active, so it is not advisable to keep them in an apartment. They must spend a lot of time outside in motion, and simple walks of an hour a day will not be enough for them. In addition, they really like to chew on objects and, if you keep them in the house, soon the furniture will be chewed, and equipment may follow.

It will not be possible to wean your pet completely off this habit: gnawing is his natural instinct as a hunting dog. It is best to place your pet in an enclosure with an insulated booth, where he can spend the spring and autumn. You will still have to take him indoors for the winter, because this breed is not accustomed to frost.

Interesting fact: If the Airedale terrier is still kept in an apartment, be sure to take him for walks twice a day, and they should last at least an hour. These dogs love to explore the area, but untrained pets will have to be kept on a leash, otherwise they may get lost.

There is no such risk with adult and trained dogs, and they can be let off a leash, but try to do this in deserted places so that they do not disturb cats and other dogs too much - and before that, train your pet to quickly execute the command “fu!” will still find an animal to chase.

If you are going to keep a dog in an apartment and are not ready to devote a lot of time to walking it, it is better to pay attention to representatives of other breeds. The Airedale Terrier will become lethargic and sick over time due to boredom and little physical activity.

It is necessary to take care of your pet's fur: comb it every 2-3 days and trim it every six months. These procedures are especially necessary if the Airedale Terrier is kept in an apartment - this way there will be much less hair from it.

When combing, be sure to tidy up not only the guard hairs, but also the undercoat, otherwise the next day your pet’s coat will be tangled. To reduce the amount of hair in the house, Airedale Terriers are often cut short, with the exception of the hair on the beard and eyebrows - it is only trimmed.

Residues of food get stuck in the hair on the beard, so it should be wiped off every time after eating. Special care is required for the ears of puppies: in order for the ear membrane to form correctly, they need to be glued to the head until they themselves take the correct position. They also need to be massaged every day.

Adult Airedale Terriers only need to have their ears cleaned once every week or two, and their eyes and teeth should also be cleaned with the same frequency. Active pets successfully grind off their claws themselves, but if they live in an apartment, they will have to be trimmed.

Maintenance and care

The Airedale Terrier is capable of living in an apartment, but in his heart he dreams of a private house with a cozy enclosure and a garden plot that can be dug up and down with trenches. It is better to build a dog house that is insulated, taking into account the autumn chill. At the same time, leaving an Airedale Terrier to spend the winter in it is a gross violation. This breed is not adapted to frost, and in bad weather its place is in the house. Long walks twice a day are a must in keeping Airedale Terriers. But you can take bearded rogues out into a forested area or into a vacant lot and let them off the leash when they have thoroughly understood the meaning of the commands “Come to me!” and “Ugh!” Otherwise, one day your ward will be irretrievably lost in some roadside bushes. It’s also not worth going to the other extreme and carrying your pet on a strap through the streets for hours. For complete relaxation, the Airedale Terrier needs personal space and, if not complete independence in decision-making, then at least the illusion that his actions are not controlled by anyone.

Grooming and hygiene

Fluffy muzzle rolled in the snow

Seasonal shedding is not about Airedale Terriers. Representatives of this breed shed only a small percentage of their undercoat on their own, so the main job of bringing the pet’s “fur coat” into proper shape falls on the owner’s shoulders. The dog's coat is renewed through trimming (plucking), which comes in two types: hygienic and show. In the first case, the hair is plucked twice a year and completely. This allows you to refresh the dog's meat and improve its quality. You can master the technique yourself, without consulting a groomer. Pre-washed and dried wool is collected with your fingertips into a thin bundle closer to the root and pulled out in the direction of its growth. It is better to start trimming the Airedale from the head, gradually making your way to the back, where the dog’s hair is removed more easily and quickly.

After pinching, the dog’s skin is lubricated with a nourishing cream to relieve irritation and the animal is left alone. By the way, after trimming, many owners wrap the Airedale Terrier in overalls before going for a walk so that the pet does not catch a cold. There is no particular need for this if the dog is active and runs around a lot when walking. But in the case of less energetic individuals who like to sit and stand at their master’s feet, clothes can come in handy. To stimulate the growth of new hair in a trimmed Airedale Terrier, it must be systematically brushed. It is also useful to comb out tufts of dead undercoat from time to time: this way the growing hair will lie smoother and denser to the dog’s body.

Airedale terrier head trim

Exhibition haircut is a more complex and serious procedure. Its purpose is to emphasize the breed's characteristics and disguise minor physical flaws. The process takes place in stages, since in the ring the animal must demonstrate the already grown dog. 2-2.5 months before the exhibition, the Airedale Terrier is completely plucked, avoiding the area of ​​the legs, chest, beard and mustache. Two weeks before the event, the dog’s head, area under the tail, throat and shoulders are trimmed, simultaneously smoothing out the transitions between areas with different coat lengths. The most difficult stage is giving the animal a sophisticated look a couple of days before the exhibition. Usually, on the eve of the event, minor issues that there was no time for earlier are eliminated. In particular, the mustache and beard are cultivated to make the profile of the Airedale Terrier emphatically rectangular, hairs on the cheekbones are plucked, the area around the mouth is treated, and hair on the forehead is shortened. In addition, some owners tint the fur on their saddle cloth and other parts of the body to give it a richer tone. In general, exhibition trimming is a pro level, which is not necessary to strive for. It is much wiser to find a good groomer and entrust the matter to him.

Important: Formally, cutting is contraindicated for Airedale Terriers, as it changes the structure of the coat and softens it. At the same time, trimming the dog’s throat and head to emphasize the smoothness of the lines and distinctness of the contour still takes place.

My dirty little one

Caring for the ears of Airedale terriers is standard, but with puppies you will have to tinker, since the formation of the correct position of the ear tissue is a painstaking task. For this reason, in the first months of life, babies’ ears are glued to their heads until they take the desired position. In addition, the ear cartilages of young Airedales need a daily massage lasting 3-5 minutes. For adults, the ear funnels are cleaned of wax and dirt, but no longer massaged.

Make it a habit to look into your Airedale Terrier's mouth once a week to check the whiteness of its teeth. If the enamel begins to turn yellow, try cleaning off the plaque with a silicone nozzle sprinkled with crushed chalk or zoopaste. Eye examinations are performed daily, but you should not run after your dog with a tissue every day. It is enough to walk over the mucous membrane of the eyelid with a damp cloth once a week. An area of ​​special attention is the beards of Airedale Terriers. While eating, they get wet and crumbs get stuck in them, which are loved by all kinds of bacteria. To avoid the appearance of fungus and unpleasant odor, the hair on the dog’s chin and muzzle is wiped after each meal. Keep an eye on the growth of hairs framing the dog’s lips. If they are too long, it is better to shorten them so that they do not stick together in bunches and form jams.

Feeding

Oh, cookie!
Yum Like other breeds, Airedales are fed either dry or natural.
The choice of feeding type is a matter of the owner’s personal preferences, his employment and financial capabilities. The Airedale Terrier's natural menu does not include any special exotic products. Everything is like most dogs: raw lean meat daily; once a week, sea fish with previously removed bones; salads of beets, carrots, cabbage, cucumber and pumpkin - every day, but in moderation. Cereal porridges (buckwheat, rice) help increase the caloric intake of a portion. Airedale Terriers will not refuse sour milk and chicken eggs, but in the second case it is better not to overdo it: once or twice a week is enough. They feed the dog twice a day, on a daily basis, based on the weight of the animal. Thus, the norm of one serving for a 20-kilogram individual can vary from 400 to 600 g, for a 29-kilogram one - 600-900 g. If we are talking about industrial feed, then here we will have to focus on varieties of at least premium class. On the other hand, when feeding an Airedale terrier with high-quality dry food, there is a chance to save on the purchase of dietary supplements and vitamins, which cannot be avoided in the case of a natural diet.

Airedale terrier diet

You can choose both dry food and natural products. In the second case, the Airedale Terrier's menu will be similar to what is recommended for other dogs.

The diet should include:

• Meat;
• By-products;
• Sea fish;
• Salads with carrots, cucumbers, cabbage, pumpkin;
• Cereal porridge;
• Dairy products.

Meat should be given to your dog raw and cut into pieces, preferably lean. Usually beef or lamb is used, sometimes you can replace it with chicken or rabbit. You can feed your pet meat every day, but fish should not be given more than once a week. The seeds are removed from it in advance.

You can also feed your Airedale Terrier salads every day, but in small quantities - they should only complement the meat. It is worth giving no more than two eggs per week. The more varied the food, the better, and pets themselves usually do not like to eat the same thing for several days in a row.

Feed is given twice a day. If natural products are used, you need to add vitamins to it. In the case of dry food, this is not necessary, but you need to take premium food - they contain the right amount of substances necessary for the breed.

Products that are not recommended to feed your Airedale Terrier:

• Roast;
• Smoked;
• Spicy;
• Pasta;
• Sugar - you can replace it with fruits and berries, as well as honey.

Pay special attention to the puppy’s nutrition, because the first months are the most important period, and the general health of the dog in the future depends on how balanced the diet is, as well as how high-quality its coat will be. Meat, fish and dairy products are introduced into the diet from childhood.

Important fact: The Airedale Terrier needs to be fed especially often in the first months, up to 6 times a day. This regime continues until he is 4 months old, after which he will need to be fed 4 times a day for up to six months. Then up to a year - 3 times. After this, he is transferred to two meals a day.

Content

• What is color and suit in dogs
• Colors of the Airedale Terrier breed

• How to choose a healthy puppy

When a person chooses a pet, he gives preference not only to a certain breed, but also focuses his attention on the color (in this case, choosing an Airedale terrier puppy), it comes in different shades and colors, striking with its beautiful patterns and appearance. Genetics is one of the main points in a dog’s appearance; color, type of coat and proportions depend on it.

Diseases and health problems

Airedale Terriers have high immunity and good genetics, so they don’t get sick often, and they tolerate many common illnesses much easier than other dogs.

But still they have a predisposition to a number of diseases, such as:

• Hypothyroidism;
• Demodectic mange;
• Turn of the century;
• Lymphoma;
• Some other diseases.

Skin diseases are common among the breed, including dermatitis, raw eczema, and various allergic reactions. Itching and ulcers on the skin indicate that you should consult a veterinarian so that he can determine the cause of the disease - it is not recommended to start treatment on your own, since skin diseases can be caused by problems with the gastrointestinal tract or nervous system.

Important fact: To protect your pet from many diseases, he needs to get all the required vaccinations. They begin to do them at 3 months, since before that the puppy has increased immunity, and the vaccination may not have any effect on it. Vaccinations are performed annually, and two weeks before, the pet should be given an anthelmintic.

There are also several hereditary diseases characteristic of the breed. These are von Willibrand disease, factor VII deficiency and melanoma. Before buying a puppy, you need to make sure that these diseases were not common among its ancestors.

According to statistics, Airedale Terriers most often die from cancer (almost 40% of all cases), diseases of the excretory tract and cardiovascular system lag behind in second and third place - they cause the death of pets in 9% and 6% of cases, respectively.

If your Airedale leads an active life and eats well, he will remain vigorous and strong until he is 10 or even 12 years old. Then he will inevitably grow old and weak, and will not run around as he did in his youth, but he may well live to be 15-16 years old.

Some interesting facts

• Like all terriers, Airedales have an unusual tendency to dig, chase, and bark. Be prepared for possible holes in your favorite flower bed!
• The Airedale Terrier is an incredible collector of family members' personal belongings. He loves to hide socks, underwear, baby clothes, basically anything.
• Since dogs of this breed are very active and full of energy, they need daily active exercise. This dog is not suitable for living in an apartment; it needs a spacious fenced yard.
• Another not entirely pleasant dog habit is to chew everything it comes across. That is why you should not leave your pet at home alone, and if this happens, then it is necessary to limit the possibility of access to interior items.
• The independence of a dog's character is not yet a reason why a pet can be abandoned alone. These dogs love to be with their family.
• The Airedale Terrier gets along well with children, but this is not a reason to leave children alone with the dog without adult supervision.
• Airedale Terrier owners should be prepared for systematic grooming. To do this, you can contact a professional or learn how to perform this task yourself.
• Early socialization is of great importance in the process of raising an Airedale Terrier, which must begin from the first day the puppy appears in the house.
• If you want your dog to be healthy, never buy it from random breeders or pet stores. Use the services of trusted dog breeders.

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