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LargeTerrier Group

Airedale Terrier

The Airedale Terrier is the largest of the Terrier group, developed in the Aire Valley of Yorkshire in the mid-19th century by crossing Otterhound-type dogs with Old English Black and Tan Terriers for otter, rat, and later big-game work.

Calculate Airedale Terrier age
Lifespan12 yrrange 11–13
SizeLargeTerrier Group
Weight50–70 lb22.7–31.8 kg
Senior at6 yrgeriatric at 10

Gallery (3)

About

About the Airedale Terrier

The Airedale Terrier is the largest of the Terrier group, developed in the Aire Valley of Yorkshire in the mid-19th century by crossing Otterhound-type dogs with Old English Black and Tan Terriers for otter, rat, and later big-game work.

Aging

How Airedale Terriers age

RVC VetCompass gives a median 12.0 years (n=1,826). Hip dysplasia and hypothyroidism define late-life concerns in this largest terrier; dermatitis and bloat risk round out the breed-club tracked issues.

Lifespan deep-diveAvg 12 yr · range 11–13Senior careSenior at 6 · geriatric at 10Common health issues4 tracked conditions
Physical

Physical characteristics

Weight
50–70 lb(22.7–31.8 kg)
Height
23–23 in(58.4–58.4 cm)
Coat type
Wire
Colors
Black & TanGrizzle & Tan
Temperament

Temperament

How Airedale Terriers tend to show up around their people, other dogs, and the world.

friendlycourageousintelligentathletic
  • Energy
  • Trainability
  • Good with kids
  • Good with other dogs
  • Shedding
Health

Common health issues

Full health profile
  • Moderatetypical onset ~2 yr

    Elbow Dysplasia

    Description and veterinary guidance for Elbow Dysplasia land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.

  • Moderatetypical onset ~7 yr

    Cataracts

    Description and veterinary guidance for Cataracts land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.

  • Moderatetypical onset ~5 yr

    Hypothyroidism

    Description and veterinary guidance for Hypothyroidism land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.

Exercise
45min
per day

Airedale Terriers are satisfied by around 45 minutes of daily activity (energy level 3/5). Short, regular outings beat one long session.

Related

Related breeds

Breeds with a similar size and group profile, for readers comparing options.

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References

Sources

Lifespan and health figures on this page are drawn from the peer-reviewed and organizational sources below.

  1. AKC breed standardAmerican Kennel Club breed page

    Breed size, weight range, height, AKC group, origin, coat type, and temperament baseline.

  2. RVC VetCompassRoyal Veterinary College VetCompass life-table research (McMillan et al. 2024)

    UK primary-care records; source for the median-lifespan and mortality figures.