What is an Airedale Terrier?

The Airedale Terrier, known as the "King of Terriers," originated in England in the 1800s and is the largest of the terrier breeds. Bred as a powerful and affectionate companion and hunter, this dog is tough, intelligent, and courageous. Airedales served as wartime dispatch carriers, police dogs, and guard dogs. They typically weigh 50 to 70 pounds, stand about 23 inches tall, and live 11 to 14 years. Airedales have a dense, wiry coat that is typically tan with a black or grizzle saddle. The coat needs to be combed regularly, and ideally hand-stripped or professionally clipped. Airedales are playful and energetic, bond strongly with their owners, and are easy to train. They need a lot of exercise.

Where did the Airedale Terrier originate?

The Airedale Terrier originated in the Aire River valley (Airedale) of Yorkshire, England, in the 19th century. Originally called the Bingley or Waterside Terrier, the breed was later named after the valley. They likely descended from the otterhound and the extinct black-and-tan Old English Terrier. Airedales were bred by working-class residents to be powerful companions and hunters of rats, otters, and ducks. The American Kennel Club notes the irony that the "King of Terriers" was developed not by royals but by workingmen.

What does an Airedale Terrier look like?

The Airedale Terrier, known as the "King of Terriers," is the largest of the terrier breeds. Originating in England in the 1800s, these dogs are strong and agile with a long, rectangular head and muzzle, complemented by heavy eyebrows and a beard. Their dense, wiry coat is typically a rich tan with a black or grizzle saddle. Airedales have small eyes, semi-pricked ears, and a tail that stands high. Airedales need regular combing to maintain their coat. Ideally, their coats should be hand-stripped, but clipping is a common alternative. Regular grooming, teeth brushing, nail trimming, and sufficient exercise are essential to keep them healthy.

What were Airedale Terriers originally bred to do?

Originally bred in the 19th century in Yorkshire, England, the Airedale Terrier, also known as the "King of Terriers," was developed by working-class residents as a versatile hunter and companion. These tough, intelligent, and courageous dogs were initially called Bingley or Waterside Terriers before being named after the River Aire. They were revered for their tenacity in hunting rats, otters, and ducks. Additionally, Airedales have served as wartime dispatch carriers, police dogs, guards, and big-game hunters.

What are some common personality traits of Airedale Terriers?

Airedale Terriers, known as the "King of Terriers," originated in England during the 1800s. They are tough, intelligent, and courageous dogs who are eager to please and easy to train because of their intelligence and strong bond with their owners. Airedales are playful and high energy, but can be rambunctious if not trained. Though they can be reserved around strangers and quarrelsome with other dogs, Airedales generally get along with cats if raised with them. They are family-oriented and good with children, but should be supervised around toddlers due to their size and strength. They make excellent service dogs, watchdogs, and protection dogs.

How do people train and care for Airedale Terriers today?

Airedale Terriers are playful and intelligent dogs that bond strongly with their owners, making them easy to train. However, without training, their high energy can lead to destructive behavior. Caring for an Airedale includes combing their coat once or twice a week. Ideally, their coat should be hand-stripped, but clipping is more common, typically every six weeks, with professional grooming three to four times a year. Airedales need regular teeth brushing, weekly ear checks, and bi-weekly nail trimming. They require daily walks and about an hour of vigorous exercise.

Airedale Terrier

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Images

Airedale terrier dog standing on grass, showing its wiry black and tan coat, long legs, and distinctive beard.

Airedale terrier dog with a wiry tan and black coat, upright ears, and expressive dark eyes looking toward the camera.

Two Airedale terrier dogs with wiry tan and black coats run and play together on a sandy path outdoors.

Quick Facts

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Airedale Terrier

breed of dog

Written by

Caroline Coile

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Britannica Editors

Last updated

Sep. 18, 2026 •History

Top Questions

What is an Airedale Terrier?
The Airedale Terrier, known as the "King of Terriers," originated in England in the 1800s and is the largest of the terrier breeds. Bred as a powerful and affectionate companion and hunter, this dog is tough, intelligent, and courageous. Airedales served as wartime dispatch carriers, police dogs, and guard dogs.

They typically weigh 50 to 70 pounds, stand about 23 inches tall, and live 11 to 14 years. Airedales have a dense, wiry coat that is typically tan with a black or grizzle saddle. The coat needs to be combed regularly, and ideally hand-stripped or professionally clipped. Airedales are playful and energetic, bond strongly with their owners, and are easy to train. They need a lot of exercise.
1 Britannica Source
1. Airedale Terrier
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Where did the Airedale Terrier originate?
The Airedale Terrier originated in the Aire River valley (Airedale) of Yorkshire, England, in the 19th century. Originally called the Bingley or Waterside Terrier, the breed was later named after the valley. They likely descended from the otterhound and the extinct black-and-tan Old English Terrier. Airedales were bred by working-class residents to be powerful companions and hunters of rats, otters, and ducks. The American Kennel Club notes the irony that the "King of Terriers" was developed not by royals but by workingmen.
2 Britannica Sources
1. dog: Terriers
2. Airedale Terrier
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What does an Airedale Terrier look like?
The Airedale Terrier, known as the "King of Terriers," is the largest of the terrier breeds. Originating in England in the 1800s, these dogs are strong and agile with a long, rectangular head and muzzle, complemented by heavy eyebrows and a beard.

Their dense, wiry coat is typically a rich tan with a black or grizzle saddle. Airedales have small eyes, semi-pricked ears, and a tail that stands high.

Airedales need regular combing to maintain their coat. Ideally, their coats should be hand-stripped, but clipping is a common alternative. Regular grooming, teeth brushing, nail trimming, and sufficient exercise are essential to keep them healthy.
1 Britannica Source
1. Airedale Terrier
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What were Airedale Terriers originally bred to do?
Originally bred in the 19th century in Yorkshire, England, the Airedale Terrier, also known as the "King of Terriers," was developed by working-class residents as a versatile hunter and companion. These tough, intelligent, and courageous dogs were initially called Bingley or Waterside Terriers before being named after the River Aire. They were revered for their tenacity in hunting rats, otters, and ducks. Additionally, Airedales have served as wartime dispatch carriers, police dogs, guards, and big-game hunters.
2 Britannica Sources
1. dog: Terriers
2. Airedale Terrier
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What are some common personality traits of Airedale Terriers?
Airedale Terriers, known as the "King of Terriers," originated in England during the 1800s. They are tough, intelligent, and courageous dogs who are eager to please and easy to train because of their intelligence and strong bond with their owners. Airedales are playful and high energy, but can be rambunctious if not trained. Though they can be reserved around strangers and quarrelsome with other dogs, Airedales generally get along with cats if raised with them. They are family-oriented and good with children, but should be supervised around toddlers due to their size and strength. They make excellent service dogs, watchdogs, and protection dogs.
1 Britannica Source
1. Airedale Terrier: Temperament
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
How do people train and care for Airedale Terriers today?
Airedale Terriers are playful and intelligent dogs that bond strongly with their owners, making them easy to train. However, without training, their high energy can lead to destructive behavior.

Caring for an Airedale includes combing their coat once or twice a week. Ideally, their coat should be hand-stripped, but clipping is more common, typically every six weeks, with professional grooming three to four times a year. Airedales need regular teeth brushing, weekly ear checks, and bi-weekly nail trimming. They require daily walks and about an hour of vigorous exercise.
1 Britannica Source
1. Airedale Terrier: Temperament
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Airedale Terrier, the largest of the terriers, called the “King of Terriers,” probably descended from the otterhound and an extinct broken-haired dog, the black-and-tan Old English Terrier. Originally called the Bingley or Waterside Terrier, it was later named for the River Aire and its valley, or Airedale, in Yorkshire, England. Tough, intelligent, feisty, and courageous, it was bred in the 19th century to be a powerful and affectionate companion and hunter by the tough working-class residents of this historic manufacturing center of northern England; it was revered as a tenacious hunter of rats, otters, and ducks. “It’s a neat irony,” says the American Kennel Club, “that the King of Terriers was developed not by royals but workingmen.” Although reserved with strangers, it has been used as a wartime dispatch carrier, police dog, guard, and big-game hunter.

Breed Data

Other name: The King of Terriers
Area of origin: England in the 1800s
Breed group: Terrier
Height at withers: 23 inches (58 cm)
Weight: 50–70 pounds (23–32 kg)
Lifespan: 11–14 years
Did you know? Airedales were used by the British military in World War I, serving as sentries, couriers, and Red Cross rescue dogs. An Airedale named Jack received the Victoria Cross, the highest decoration for valor in the British armed forces, for delivering a message despite being mortally wounded in the process. The breed’s wartime heroism made them obvious choices for early police dogs in Britain and Germany. Three U.S. presidents (Woodrow Wilson, Warren Harding, and Calvin Coolidge) owned Airedales.

The Airedale is a long-legged terrier noted for its strength and agility. The head and muzzle are long and rectangular, with heavy eyebrows and a beard; in profile, the line of the forehead extends straight to the nose. The eyes are small, the ears semi-pricked, and the tail carried high. Its coat is dense and wiry, colored rich tan with either a black or grizzle saddle.

Care and upkeep

The coat needs to be combed once or twice a week. Ideally, the coat should be hand-stripped, which means pulling out long dead hair by hand. This takes a lot of time, so most pet owners instead get their dogs professionally clipped; this will leave the coat with a softer texture but less rich coloring. They should be clipped every six weeks or so and fully groomed professionally three to four times a year. They shed but not heavily.

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Airedales are generally healthy dogs with no special concerns or requirements. The ears should be checked weekly, the nails cut every two weeks, and teeth brushed regularly (daily, if possible). They require several walks daily and about an hour of vigorous exercise.

Temperament

Airedales are a playful, high-energy breed that can be rambunctious and destructive if not trained. They are, however, eager to please, and because of their intelligence and strong bond with owners, they are generally easy to train. They can be reserved toward strangers and even quarrelsome with other dogs; they generally get along with cats they have been raised with. Family-oriented, they are good with children but, given their size and strength, should be supervised around toddlers. They make excellent service dogs, watchdogs, and even protection dogs.

These are well-established and widely accepted generalizations about the breed. Individual dogs may differ in behavior and temperament.

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