12 Reasons Airedale Terriers Are the Perfect Family Dog

Airedale Terriers can make perfect family dogs for families with canine experience who have plenty of time to spend training their dogs and providing exercise and mental enrichment. They tend to be higher-maintenance than some other dog breeds and aren’t the right fit for everyone.

This article will go over 12 reasons Airedale Terriers can be great family dogs and what to consider before adoption.

Do Airedale Terriers Make Good Family Dogs?

Airedale Terriers make perfect dogs for some families, but it’s important to know that they’re a huge commitment! They’re more high maintenance when it comes to training and exercise than many other dog breeds, and they cannot be left alone for long.

Below, we’ll discuss 12 reasons an Airedale Terrier could be your perfect family dog. We’ll start with what your family can bring to the table, then discuss the attributes of the breed.

12 Reasons Airedale Terriers Might be Perfect for Your Family

#1: You Have Plenty of Time for a Dog

Airedale Terriers are great family dogs for those who have plenty of free time to dedicate to training, exercise, and mental enrichment. These dogs are intelligent and active, and become bored easily.

Leaving your Airedale Terrier at home for long periods will likely lead to naughty behaviors such as destructive chewing or excessive barking.

Families are a great fit for these dogs when everyone is active in their lives, so it’s not up to only one person to meet their needs.

#2: Your Family is Active

These bright working dogs need plenty of activity in their day and aren’t for people with sedentary lifestyles. They need several walks every day in addition to playtime in the backyard or living room.

If your family loves exercise and you want a canine companion to tag along during your activities, this may be the right breed for you!

#3: You’ve Had Dogs Before

Airedale Terriers aren’t typically seen as “beginner dogs.” They’re smart and easy to train for those with experience but can be difficult dogs for first-timers.

This is because they can be very rambunctious, and you’ll need to know how to deal with that energy. You’ll also need to know how to read dog body language and how to handle inappropriate guarding tendencies should they arise. Airedales have very strong guarding instincts.

Please remember to only use force-free training methods with your dog. Aversive methods are often inhumane, less effective, and harm your relationship. They also promote fear and aggression, which is the opposite of what you want in a large, guarding breed.

#4: You Don’t Have Young Children at Home

Airedales tend to be bouncy and energetic, especially while they’re young. Due to their size, they can easily knock over children or hurt them on accident.

Having a large, energetic breed around young kids can work, but it’s not recommended unless you know what you’re doing. The two should never be left together unsupervised, and you’ll likely need to limit interactions while your dog and child are young.

#5: You Don’t Have Smaller Pets

Some Airedales do live successfully with smaller animals such as cats or small dogs. However, this is a risk due to their prey drive and hyperactivity. It’s best for them to live with other dogs of their size or in a single-pet household.

Many of these dogs will chase smaller animals, especially those that run from them. Never allow your dog to interact with small prey animals such as rabbits or guinea pigs, and keep them on a leash outdoors to prevent them from chasing wildlife.

#6: You have a Large, Fenced Yard

It’s much easier to care for an Airedale Terrier if you have a large, enclosed space for them to run. Families living in apartments will likely struggle to keep these dogs happy.

Keep in mind that the yard won’t exercise your Airedale for you, but it’s a great help! You’ll still need to get out there with your pup and engage in games and activities to get them moving.

One of the top benefits of a fenced yard is that Airedales can run at their full speed, which is faster than humans can keep up with! Stretching their legs like this is very good for them.

#7: Airedale Terriers are Smart

These intelligent pups can learn just about anything, from dog sports to service work. They might also learn how to bend the rules in your home, such as conning a “second dinner” out of someone who didn’t see dinner fed the first time.

Your family will be able to watch them figure out puzzle toys with ease, and you can play a variety of games together. You’re likely to find yourself spelling their favorite words as they learn to listen in on your conversations.

#8: They’re Easy to Train

While their energy and guarding tendencies present some challenges, Airedales are generally a breeze to train compared to many other breeds. As we discussed above, they can learn anything you want them to!

Positive reinforcement and force-free methods work best, as is true for any breed. You’ll likely want to tire your dog out a bit before training, but not so much that they’re ready for a nap!

Turn training sessions into a game by using frequent rewards, having patience, and having fun yourself. When training is exciting, both you and your dog will want to come back for more each day.

Because they’re so smart, Airedales will have less trouble generalizing than other dog breeds. This means they’ll get the hang of listening to the entire family faster, rather than getting confused when it’s dad asking for a “sit” instead of mom!

#9: Their Coats are Low Maintenance

Airedales have short, wiry coats. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), Airedale Terrier fur requires hand-stripping (plucking out dead fur) or clipping once every three to four months, and brushing once a week.

They don’t shed a lot, either, especially when you keep up with their grooming needs. Their fur is long enough to mat, which can be painful for the dog–so skipping brushing for the week isn’t recommended.

#10: They’re Protective

Although we’ve talked about the negative side of Airedale Terrier guarding instincts, it’s also nice to have a family dog that’s protective of you.

It adds security when you know that your dog would go to battle if need be–and Airedales are likely to do so, especially if someone messes with “their” kids!

Well-socialized Airedales will know when guarding is appropriate, and won’t react to non-threats such as someone walking past you in public.

They’re very likely to bark at the mail carrier without training, but can easily learn a “quiet” cue which will shut down excessive barking. Many people allow their dogs a bark or two to alert them to potential threats, before hushing them so that they aren’t too noisy.

#11: They’re the Perfect Size

Airedale Terriers weigh anywhere from 50-70 pounds and stand around 23 inches at the shoulder. This is a great size for a family dog!

They’re sturdy and not easily injured, while small dogs are easy to trip on at night or for children to hurt while handling.

They’re large enough to deter strangers who intend to harm your family, as most people will turn away when they hear that big-dog bark.

Large dogs like Airedales can also tolerate more exercise than smaller dogs, making them the perfect companions for active families.

#12: Airedale Terriers are Loyal

These dogs form strong bonds with their families and will be loyal to their favorite people. They’re very handler-focused during training sessions and love spending time with family as well.

Airedales can also be independent and aren’t always the cuddliest dogs. Some will enjoy a snuggle on the couch, while others will prefer to be nearby but not always touching.

#13: You Can Grow up Together

Airedale Terriers have a decent lifespan of 11-14 years. This means they’re likely to see your family through big life events–they could potentially live through both your child’s first day of kindergarten and their graduation!

You can all grow together as a family, which creates an amazing bond between you and your dog.

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