A New Owner's Guide to Airedale Terriers

Airedale terriers, also known as "Airedales," originated from the Yorkshire region of England. The Airedales belong to the class of dogs called the terriers, and the Airedale has been nicknamed the "King of Terriers." The nickname was given to the Airedale, because it is the largest canine in the terrier class.

The Airedale weighs approximately 55 to 65 pounds, and grows to be about two feet tall. Airedales have medium-length black and tan coats, with a wiry topcoat that feels soft and fluffy underneath. The coat covering the back and legs appears curly and stiff, and must be regularly groomed. The Airedale does not shed much, if any, fur. Many Airedales have a surgical procedure done shortly after birth, called docking. The term docking means shortening the tail of the canine, which makes the tail stiff and stand at attention.