Airedale Terrier

Tracker, guide dog, police dog, army dog, guard dog, messenger, sentinel, hunting dog, and all-around family pet -- my kind has done it all. But a hunter of otters and rodents was what English breeders had in mind, around 1850 in the Yorkshire valley of Aire, when they crossed Otterhound with the Old English Black-and-Tan. What they got was the "King of the Terriers" (their boast, not mine) or at least the largest (23-24 inches at the shoulders and around 44 pounds). My harsh, dense coat looks better with a weekly brushing (and a twice-yearly trim by a professional groomer). With my distinctive beard and welcoming grin, some people say I look like I'm laughing. Maybe I'm just happy to see you.

• Affectionate, loyal family friend
• Agile and active
• Always alert
• Born to run, happy to walk
• Busy is better than bored
• Confident and self-assured
• Courageous canine
• Energizer doggie

• Intelligent and ready to learn
• Adaptable to apartment life -- with ample exercise
• Dominant toward other dogs
• Outdoors enthusiast
• Perfect protector
• Loud bark
• Training should be firm, patient, consistent
• Willing watchdog

I'm an energetic working dog -- so give me some work to do! Nice long walks or runs every day for starters. And I love to swim -- so throw a stick for me to rescue. My training should start early, and needs to be firm and consistent, because I'm a quick learner. You need to keep life interesting for me -- teach me something new every day. My coat should be brushed and stripped a couple times a week -- or be prepared for skin problems if you don't.

Possible hip dysplasia in some lines. Otherwise, the Airedale is one of the most problem-free breeds.