Decided on an Airedale - any tips?!

[teatimetreat]

Hi all,

I posted a breed advice thread a while ago and thanks to the fantastic responses and suggestions we have decided to get an Airedale. Our basic requirements were a biggish dog with character and intelligence, low shedding and fun for an active family with two kids (5 and 7).

We are waiting on confirmation of a litter from a local reputable breeder which would mean we'd have a puppy home in Feb.

In preparation, do any Airedale owners have any tips or advice? Clipping vs stripping, beard maintenance/cleaning, amount of walks, training methods etc. Or just general Airedale chat!

Ps. Just for clarity I am ready for a high every dog and relish the idea of walks in all weather (honestly!) Plus I'm going to be attending puppy/dog training classes with our pup when the time comes - don't want anyone thinking I'm going into this unprepared - this has been a BIG decision and I'm wholly ready for it!

No advice as haven't owned one but its a breed I would consider in the future so interested to read replies.
Hopefully this bumps the post up.

@LochJessMonster Thanks!

They can be aggressive, but so can my border. They are pretty big as well

Lovely dogs
I have had three. Unfortunately not in the position to have another.
Do need exercise.
Do like their food as quite large.
Variable.
1 loved water another would do anything to keep her paws dry.
1 loved to chase deer another watched and sniffed.
1 loved fireworks another petrified.
All easy to travel with.
All good with kids.
Not the easiest to train.

I wish you the absolute best of luck.

Mine was a nightmare and aggressive. We had every external service possible involved in trying to calm him down. He demolished the house and anything he could get his teeth on. He use to climb the conifers in the garden. Barked none stop. Very territorial, as soon as partner would leave the house, he became nasty, growling and biting. He was very beautiful though and had to be maintained on a regular basis or his fur used to get in a mess.

I've had dogs all my life and he was by far the hardest. We picked the quiet small one of the litter too. What a mistake that was.

I know others who are amazing dogs and nothing like mine at all however never again, amen 🙏

I've had 4. 2 lovely, 2 bonkers. Huge personalities, mind of their own, possible to train but strong terrier characteristics is a big package. My kids are 7 and 8 and although I yearn for another from afar, chose a different breed for my own sanity. It's doable, but buy well, socialise well and train train train!

Soft-coated wheaten terrier fits your requirements but tends to be joyous rather than surly.

Re coats, hand stripping keeps the coat harder and stronger coloured, tricky to learn properly and pricey to have done. If you clip, coat will be softer, paler and probably curl. Personal preference really. Need 2 good walks a day. Of the 4 I had, 2 were fab, one very reactive aggressive, one just crazy energy, hilarious and frustrating in equal measure. Will always love Airedales but very happy with my TTs

@Trewser How is your border with other dogs?

I have an Airedale and a fox terrier. They are currently chasing each round the bedroom instead of going to sleep.

The Airedale is a lovely natured gentle dog but also very big, energetic and slightly mad! He's a definite character and lots of fun but also quite exhausting. He's just turned one and is starting to behave quite well when out for walks and has got pretty good recall now. He loves playing with other dogs especially our other dog.

We've had him clipped and his coat is lovely and shiny and slightly curly. We took him to puppy classes and he was really good there but the trainer didn't seem to get terriers so I'd suggest making sure you get a terrier friendly trainer - I'd have likes to do adolescent classes too but didn't want to go back to the same trainer

userxx he's 99 percent fine UNLESS the other dog is at all surly. If anything does a tiny growl he will react. He doesn't bite though, just loses his shit and barks aggressively.

@Trewser loses his shit 🤣. Yep it's familiar. I love the dog to pieces but he's just so bloody antisocial with other dogs it can be very hard work. Went to a gorgeous hotel by a river once and we had to leave as he was so embarrassing 🙈. Stubborn too.

@villainousbroodmare The wheaten was on our list and we met quite a few and with a breeder too. The dogs were very sweet but they were all quite full on and bouncey and barky. I'm not sure how i'd feel about that every day.

We preferred the composure for the Airedales we met - although from some of these responses composure isn't a common Airedale trait! Have to say all the Airedales we've met since we've been researching have been lovely temperaments, but they have been show dogs so this might be breed into them? So could show lines be easier to manage natures...?

We have a Wheaten terrier, he's lovely. (sorry, know that wasn't the question).