Breed facts
| FCI group | Group 3: Terriers |
| Origin | United Kingdom |
| Weight | 20–29 kg |
| Height | 56–61 cm |
| Life expectancy | 11–14 years |
Temperament
Confident, intelligent and playful, with plenty of energy. Stubborn and a good guard dog; it needs exercise and something to do.
History
From the Aire valley in Yorkshire (England), in the 19th century, where it hunted rats and otters.
Fun facts
It is known as “the king of terriers” for being the largest of the family.
The Airedale Terrier coat
A wiry, harsh coat with a softer undercoat. It needs its own techniques to keep texture and colour.
The largest of the terriers: the wiry coat needs hand stripping to keep its texture; the beard and paws deserve attention.
What we do in the salon
To keep the texture of a wiry coat, hand stripping (manual removal of dead hair) is ideal. When a more practical option is preferred, we clip, knowing the coat will become softer and may change colour over time. Includes bath and conditioning.
Recommended services
- Hand strippingabout 2 h
- Clipper & scissor trimabout 2 h
- Bathabout 1 h
How often?
| Bath | every 4 to 6 weeks |
| Cut / upkeep | Hand stripping 3 to 4 times a year, or a clipper trim every 6 to 8 weeks. |
Care at home between visits
- Brush once or twice a week with a firm-bristle brush.
- Avoid very frequent baths, which soften the coat.
- Wipe the beard and muzzle after meals.
- Agree with the salon on the best time for hand stripping.
Frequently asked questions about the Airedale Terrier
Does the Airedale Terrier shed a lot?
It sheds little. Even so, the coat can tangle or build up, so it should be brushed regularly.
How often should I bring my Airedale Terrier to the salon?
In general, a bath every 4 to 6 weeks. Hand stripping 3 to 4 times a year, or a clipper trim every 6 to 8 weeks. It depends on the coat, the cut you like and the condition of the coat: we will advise you at the first visit.
How long do a bath and a clip take?
When you book online, 1 hour is reserved for a bath and 2 hours for a clip, scissor cut or hand stripping. Very dense coats or large breeds may need more time: talk to us.
What is hand stripping?
It is the manual removal of dead hair, which keeps the texture and colour of a wiry coat. That is why it is the recommended technique for these breeds.
Weight and height values are approximate and vary from dog to dog. Based on FCI standards and public breed profiles; care text: DogsClub. Last updated: October 2026.