Canis lupus familiaris
Airedale Terrier
Featured photoairedale-terrier.jpgThe Airedale Terrier is a largest terrier — the Yorkshire Aire-valley King of Terriers, an Otterhound-cross water-worker. The Airedale Terrier — known as the 'King of Terriers' for its size — was developed in mid-19th-century Yorkshire by working-men in the Aire valley who crossed the now-extinct Old English Black-and-Tan Terrier with the Otterhound to produce a large terrier capable of hunting otter and dispatching rats along the rivers Aire and Wharfe.
Quick facts
- AKC group
- Terrier
- Origin country
- England (Yorkshire)
- Origin period
- Mid-19th century
- Coat type
- Wirehaired
- Coat colors
- Black and Tan, Grizzle and Tan
- Average lifespan
- 11-14 years
- Recognition
- AKC 1888 · FCI 1955 · UKC 1914 · Group 3 — Terriers (Section 1: Large and medium-sized Terriers)
Origin
The Airedale was developed in mid-19th-century Yorkshire by working-men in the Aire valley (Bingley, Otley, and Shipley) who needed a terrier larger than the local working-terrier landrace and capable of swimming after otter and dispatching rats along the rivers Aire and Wharfe. Foundation crosses involved the now-extinct Old English Black-and-Tan Terrier (the foundation of most modern terrier breeds) and the Otterhound, which contributed scenting ability and water-working aptitude. Originally called the Waterside Terrier or Bingley Terrier, the breed was renamed Airedale Terrier in 1879 after the Aire valley. The Airedale Terrier Club was founded in 1886 and the breed served extensively as a messenger and casualty dog with British forces in the First World War.
Recognition
The American Kennel Club admitted the breed in 1888, the United Kennel Club followed in 1914, and the Federation Cynologique Internationale published the international standard (FCI No. 7) in 1955. The FCI assigns the breed to Group 3 — Terriers (Section 1: Large and medium-sized Terriers).
Standard
The AKC and FCI standards describe the largest of the terrier breeds — a powerful, well-balanced dog with a long, flat skull, small dark eyes, and small V-shaped ears carried to the side of the head. The double coat consists of a soft, dense undercoat under a hard, wiry, dense outer coat that lies straight and close. Recognized colours are black-and-tan and grizzle-and-tan, with the saddle (the back, top of the neck, and top surface of the tail) black or grizzle and the head, ears, legs, and underside tan. Males stand 58-61 cm at the withers, females 56-59 cm.
Sources & further reading (3)
- kennel-club-registry — accessed 2026-05-04
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-05-04
- fci-standard — accessed 2026-05-04
Frequently asked questions
What is the Airedale Terrier's AKC group?
The American Kennel Club places the Airedale Terrier in the Terrier Group. The Terrier Group gathers breeds developed to hunt and dispatch vermin or to go to ground after fox and badger; the name derives from the Latin terra ('earth'). The breed's foundation working role was as a largest terrier — the Yorkshire Aire-valley King of Terriers, an Otterhound-cross water-worker.
When was the Airedale Terrier officially recognized?
The American Kennel Club admitted the breed in 1888; the United Kennel Club followed in 1914; the Federation Cynologique Internationale published the international standard (FCI No. 7) in 1955.
What is the average lifespan of a Airedale Terrier?
Kennel-club longevity surveys place the Airedale Terrier's average lifespan in the 11-14 years range. The figure here represents the spread reported by the major parent-club studies and the Kennel Club (UK) purebred-dog health surveys.
