Hi all, sorry for keep posting different threads but i need any advice or experience regarding the Airdale terrier.

Ok so i had a bit of a shock while at crufts, after be and Jamie decided on a Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen and spending all morning and most of the afternoon with them ( not just at the discover dogs part we went were they were waiting to be shown that area) anyway after all that we went to one of the resturants for dinner and we bumbed into his friend and his partner ( the couple who said they were going to consider the white swiss shepherd) while we all had lunch they told us after spending all yesterday researching on the WSS they decided they had rushed that descion and did not really think it through before picking that breed. So they came back today to pick a breed and did loads of which dog is right for you quiz's ect and reading on thoses breeds and made a shortlist  and today after spending all morning talking to different breeders of the breeds on there short list have decided that the airdale terrier suits them the best and have told us this time they used there heads rather than there hearts to make this decsion.

I wanted to ask on here what airdales are like?

They have been told by owners\ breeders  that  the airdale is a high maintenance breed in terms of grooming, Exersice and need at least 2hrs a day plus mental stimulation. That they are easier to train than most terriers But still have an independant streak, get bored easily so need to be kept occupied , not as vocal as the smaller terriers and have a deeper bark and only bark for a reason. Friendly with people and children , can be good with other dogs. Fairly healthy as a breed.

Just realised everytime i spell airedale my phone keeps auto correcting to airdale.

> did loads of which dog is right for you quiz's ect and reading on thoses breeds and made a shortlist

Even though I try really hard when doing these to try and get my own breed it never comes up for me, and loads of breeds I could not live with or even consider do.

Apart from the traits listed in the standards, it can be very subjective what one person views as a plus point  another views as a vice.

An Airedale would suit me, but not someone who wants a yes man kind of dog like the two breeds your used to, but then I own a Hunting Spitz breed, so a breed that thinks for itself as that's what I am used to, and actually like.  I can't bear servile suck ups, or over needy, but like a friendly but self reliant sort of dog that is my friend not my servant.

The breed were the first police dogs in UK, so a meaningful deterrent.

I did a lot of those quizzes and found that they didn’t ask the questions that were important to me.

Lots of the time my answers were “I don’t mind” or “depends what the dog needs” because those things didn’t matter so much. And I didn’t have a way to indicate, for example, that I don’t want a short nose or a long back or something specifically bred to chase and kill small furry things.

Asking people on here for recommendations was so much more helpful!

i used to like them until met the two local ones(different owners) both dogs very sharp and aggressive at other dogs.  never seen either of them off lead either so suspect recall not great either.   ok its only 2 and maybe others are lovely well balanced dogs but off putting

There is a book called Honorary Dog written by Dora Wright. She tells the story of her life with Airedales from the first dog she had through showing breeding them and even a bit of obedience.

It's available on eBay and is a really interesting book
HTH

The problem with asking about the not so popular ones is that if people on here don't own them or have owned them we can only get snippets of them from being at shows or out on walks etc. The ones ive come across have been very sharp with other dogs, could this be genetic or how the owners have raised their Airedales. Also somewhat aloof with strangers as well.
Don't forget terriers are tenacious and the least terrier of them all is the Border, much more biddable and less reactive.
Terriers wouldn't ever be for me.

As far as these quizzes go the 2 breeds I've owned and the 1 I grew up with never feature. The breeds that often get suggested are far too small even though i say i like large breeds or it comes up with the GSD which is far too highly strung for my liking to live with.

Thank you to everyone who has replied.

Brainless , its my partners friend who is considering an Airedale and like you they like the independant nature.

To those who said there experiance is that tjere aggressive must judt have been that they were not raised right as that is not what they were told at crufts they were told they are easier to train than most terriers and that they get on with other dogs.

There going to talk to more airedale people to get a better picture.

I have met many aggressive labradors but i know the breed is not aggressive just that they have not been raised right by there owner.

The Airedales I have met have been pretty good around other dogs, but I would imagine like most terriers they would not suffer fools gladly.

Thanks Brainless. Yeah i have only met one when out with my two so was of no use to them. But the one i met was not aggressive just not interested if there was a dog there or not.

As a contrast, I’ve only met one Airedale, when I was out with my “I want to play with everyone” Labrador. Airedale got so excited when he saw her that he jumped about three feet straight up into the air like a springbok!

They played very enthusiastically (but politely) and he happily greeted me too once they were back on the lead.

As always though, I think the answer is “it depends on the individual dog”. A good breeder will pick out a pup for you who has the personality you want.

> A good breeder will pick out a pup for you who has the personality you want.

At 8-12 weeks old? I'd say that would be overconfident