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Appropriately nicknamed the King of Terriers, the Airedale Terrier conveys this by being remarkably adaptable, talented and a confident breed. Renowned for his independent problem solving, cleverness and hard-working nature, the Airedale yet finds time for fun, and even silliness. The breed is known for both his dedication to a job and to his family. This breed works best with active families that have plenty of time, energy and patience. The Airedale was among the top 10 most popular breeds in America in the early 20^th century and came in at No. 65 in the 2022 AKC popularity ranking.

Airedale Terrier size

He’s the largest terrier, weighing in around 55 pounds or so. Males are 55 to 60 pounds or so with females Airedale Terriers being somewhat smaller. Larger Airedales are sometimes called Oorangs, the name of an Ohio kennel in the early 1900s that developed this variation.

Airedale Terrier temperament

A no-nonsense home guard, Airedales are characteristically watchful, yet not overly reactive. If company is greeted by the family, most Airedales likewise accept the guests. When it comes to canine company, Airedales aren’t typically enthused with visitors. They may be aloof and watchful or altogether annoyed and unfriendly with new dogs. While exposure to many animals and obedience training help the Airedale learn manners, even a well-socialized Airedale usually turns his nose up at the dog-park environment.

Since the Airedale has a strong chasing instinct, owners must supervise him around cats. And with the Airedale’s Terrier tendencies (code for rodent chasing!), he’s not the best match for the family’s rabbits, hamsters or guinea pigs.

The Airedale has a deeply held sense of family responsibility. Although certainly friendly with children, Airedale puppies may be a bit rambunctious, chaotic and exuberant around very small children. They show their affection with wild play, jumping or play biting. And they aren’t exactly quick to mature either. Although always high-energy, an Airedale calms down and starts to show reserve once he’s perhaps 3 years old.

While well-exercised Airedales possibly can live in apartments, preferably this action-focused breed has a fenced yard. Owners with limited time to exercise an Airedale might want to consider another breed: A dog bred to Do It All won’t likely sit around all day. Bred to work and work hard, Airedales have both the physical strength and mental versatility for about any dog sport: tracking, barn hunts, obedience, protection sports, agility and rally — to name but a few.

Although quick to learn, Airedales have independent natures. After all, they were taught to work under self-direction rather than side by side with man, waiting for each and every command. Because of their independence, many can’t be trusted off leash: their drive to chase is too pronounced. The Airedale’s curiosity, perseverance and resolve lead to success, but occasionally to mischief.

While they can excel in obedience, Airedales can also be hardheaded and inconsistent during routine exercises. Trainers must be creative, exciting and hold fast to their own sense of humor when the Airedale goes off in the weeds after prey. Many Airedales consider their owner’s obedience commands as requests. Some days they will concur, and other days they’ll disagree.

Airedale Terrier shedding and grooming

The Airedale is a light shedding breed. No breed is truly “hypoallergenic,” but the lower shedding breeds may match up better with families with allergies. Double-coated, the adult Airedale has a wiry topcoat and a soft undercoat that needs regular brushing and either trimmed or hand-stripped regularly.

Airedale pups are born almost black with small tan markings. Over time the tan areas get larger until the black coat is more of a saddle, only on the dog’s sides, upper back, up the neck, etc.

The texture of the pup’s coat changes as well. The Airedale pup’s coat will change from a soft fluffy coat to the trademark wiry coat. Grooming a full-grown Airedale includes brushing several times a week to remove dead hair and a haircut or stripping about four times per year. Most owners choose a professional groomer for trimming, or for the even trickier task of hand stripping (removing individual hairs). Families who plan to show their Airedale will likely ask a professional groomer to strip the dog’s coat. Stripping the coat best maintains the natural texture and colors.

Owners interested in grooming their Airedales at home need special tools, and ideally grooming instruction from professionals. Equipment for the home groomer would include blades, clippers, disinfectants, scissors, combs, brushes and a stripping knife.

Airedale Terrier health

This breed can live from 11 to 13 years. Be on the watch for hip dysplasia. Also note that because the Airedale has a stoical side, illnesses may go unnoticed until severe. His high pain threshold can make the timely recognition of injury after an accident difficult.

History of the Airedale Terrier

Originating in England’s Valley of Aire, Airedales appear to be crosses of Broken Coated Olde English Black and Tan Terriers, Otterhounds and possibly other breeds. The Otterhound scent skills, water-resistant coat, and swimming ability complemented the Terrier’s fearlessness, agility and tenacity genes.

Early Airedales were exceptionally versatile, all-around workers: They guarded the homes, hunted small game, kept track of livestock, and killed water rats and otters. Hunters (along with the occasional poacher) used Airedales to help find and retrieve birds. In contrast to some of the sporting breeds developed to hunt with English nobility, Airedales were developed by commoners for their own use. The regular folks didn’t have the resources for multiple dogs; they couldn’t afford a small Terrier for ratting plus a powerful dog for hunting bigger predators such as martens, foxes, badgers and otters.

So, the Airedale was developed to “do it all.” And he did! The breed combines the requisite adaptability, stamina, fortitude and hardiness. Yet notwithstanding his toughness, early Airedales needed to show an even temper with the family, including the children. After all, they were also a companion dog to the household.

Earlier names for the Airedale Terrier were Waterside Terrier, Bingley Terrier and Broken-Haired Terrier.

Airedale Terriers in the military

The Airedale was among the first British dogs trained for police and military work. In the early 20^th century, Lt. Col. Edwin Richardson trained Airedales for military tasks, such as looking for the wounded and carrying messages in tins. Lt. Col. Richardson established the first British War Dogs training school at Shoeburyness, Essex. WWI was the first war Britain made distinct use of dogs: Airedales (and other breeds) served as sentries that guarded trenches and as messengers. They also carried first-aid and supplies for soldiers at the front.

In World War I as well as World War II, the multitalented and resilient Airedale was celebrated for his trustworthiness and dedicated work. Airedales were single-minded in a task; few would leave a job half done. When given a task they completed it, even when wounded.

Airedale Terrier AKC Group

Historically, terrier breeds were developed to hunt and kill vermin, badgers, foxes and other animals that go to ground. They’re celebrated for drive, fortitude, independence and plenty of courage. The Airedale Terrier today remains classified in the American Kennel Club’s Terrier Group. If you look through the AKC groups, you’ll find that some of the breeds with terrier in their names fall outside of the Terrier Group. For example, the Yorkshire Terrier is in the Toy Group, the Boston Terrier is in the Non-sporting Group and the Black Russian Terrier is in the Working Group. But the King of Terriers, the Airedale, remains a terrier both in classification and perhaps even more so, in personality.

As pet owners, we want to ensure our dogs maintain healthy teeth and gums, but sometimes brushing alone isn’t enough. According to veterinarian Doc Halligan, “While nothing can replace regular brushing every other day, dental sprays and additives can be a helpful supplement, especially for dogs that are difficult to brush.”

There are a lot of choices when it comes to dog mouthwashes and rinses, but not all products are created equal.  Paw through these five picks for best dog mouth wash that we found were safe, effective, easy to use and appetizing to the dog.

Oxyfresh Premium Pet Dental Spray is a unique unflavored, alcohol-free solution for a dog’s bad breath. Its patented blend of Oxygene and zinc neutralizes organic compounds that cause bad breath. $14.95/8 oz.; oxyfresh.com

TropiClean Fresh Breath Advanced Whitening Dental Health Solution is a water additive that promotes daily plaque and tartar defense while brightening your dog’s teeth. $14.99/16-oz.; tropiclean.com

Warren London Dog Dental Spray & Water Additive fights plaque, tartar, bad breath and gum disease with plant-based peppermint extract and cinnamon. It can be added to the dog’s water bowl or applied directly to their gums. $13.99/8 oz.; warrenlondon.com

Zymox Oratene Enzymatic Brushless Oral Care Dog & Cat Dental Water Additive freshens breath, kills germs, and removes plaque without any brushing required. $25.79/8-oz.; zymox.com

Vet’s Best Breath Freshener Dog Dental Water Additive is a vet-formulated solution that helps fight plaque and tartar with natural ingredients like grape seed extract, thyme oil and neem oil to reduce buildup. $16.57/16 oz.; vetsbest.com

How to choose a dog mouth wash

Let’s talk about what makes a great doggy dental rinse. Hint: If you’ve ever tried to use one, taste is a big factor as it’s not going to do your pup any good if he turns up his nose to the mouth wash. We like to look for these four criteria when shopping for dog mouth wash.

Safe – The product should be specifically formulated for dogs, as human products may contain harmful ingredients.

Effective – Look for products that reduce plaque and tartar buildup, freshen breath and promote healthy gums. Ingredients like chlorhexidine and enzymes can work wonders in combating bacteria.

Appetizing – Dogs can be picky, so choose a mouthwash or dental rinse with natural flavors that appeal to them, like chicken, beef or peanut butter.

Easy to Use – Look for products that are easy to administer so it is less stressful for both you and your dog.

Keeping your dog’s teeth and gums healthy is super important for their overall well-being. Whether you use a dental spray, water additive, or brush their teeth regularly, feel good knowing that taking care of their dental health can lead to a happier and healthier pup!

Want to read more on dog dental issues? Check out 9 Top Doggie Dental Issues.

What do jewelry sales and animal adoption have in common? For dog lovers, everything, says award winning TV personality Allyson Spellman.

Shop and adopt is the theme of Allyson’s new Jewelry Television (JTV) live stream series, Jewelry to the Rescue, which features adoptable, homeless animals at the Young- Williams Animal Center in Tennessee and an array of animal-themed jewelry.

“Jewelry is such a connector of dog lovers,” she says. “It automatically elicits conversation and emotion.”

Allyson, who tries to promote animal advocacy whenever she can, brainstormed the idea from feedback after selling animal-centric jewelry on the various JTV shows she’s hosted for five years.

“Our viewers would connect with me and post pictures and share stories,” she says. “They’d say, ‘This (piece) reminds me of my rescue!’”

She grabbed the opportunity to combine both her passions.

Three to four adoptable animals are featured during the weekly live stream at the shelter, along with other perks, like waived rescue fees and jewelry giveaways. Viewers nationwide can submit real-time questions about the animals and share their rescue stories.

“It’s interactive,” says Allyson. “I get so inspired by our viewers.”

In the few months it’s aired, adoptions are up, including “the cutest tri-pod dog,” says Allyson. The show also recently won a Telly Award.

You really have to ask yourself, she says, “Who rescued who?”

To catch the show, visit JTV.com/Extra or follow on social media @JTV and @allysonspellman

Whether your dog simply had a battery in his mouth or fully ingested it, Dr. Anna Robinson, a small animal veterinarian in Texas, says to take swift action. The first thing to do is to flush the dog’s mouth out with tepid water, then call your veterinarian.

“Depending on the age and type of the battery ingested, there isn’t really any first aid you can do, unless your dog immediately vomits up the battery whole and unchewed,” says Dr. Robinson.

Symptoms after dog ate battery

“Batteries contain a variety of toxic metals which can generate local electrical currents causing cell damage in the body,” explains Dr. Robinson. “They have an ‘acid’ that is caustic and burns cells it encounters.”

If your dog ate a battery, it is an emergency. Don’t try to induce vomiting. Instead, contact your vet immediately. Here are some other common symptoms:

“It is important to note that unlike other poisonings, inducing vomiting to attempt to remove batteries can make these effects worse,” she warns. “Veterinarians have also found that activated charcoal is not sufficient to bind out the toxins, which would otherwise be the go-to option.”

What to expect at the veterinarian

Your veterinarian will ask you to call a poison control line, which will assign you a case number and assist the veterinarian (either your regular vet or emergency vet).

The poison control line will ask:

1. For a credit or debit card number up front.
2. Who you are and whether you are a legal owner of the pet you are calling about.
3. For your pet’s signalment (breed, age, sex and if spayed/neutered or not).
4. If you’re in route to a facility.
5. What the pet’s current symptoms are. They may direct you to symptom specific first aid based on your response.
6. The number, brand and age of batteries ingested.

Finally, the representative will give you a case number and contact information for your veterinarian to use.

Treatment plan

Expect your pet to stay with the veterinarian for the healing process, especially if the battery is lodged in the esophagus in either the throat area, around the heart or diaphragm.

“This instance will warrant endoscopic removal requiring a small camera to go through your pet so the battery can be cleanly and effectively removed,” says Dr. Robinson. “Regardless of the individual veterinarian’s skill and equipment, if the battery is deep enough, surgical removal may be attempted but this is very uncommon for esophageal foreign bodies.”

Because batteries can leak chemicals, if it reaches the lower gastrointestinal tract, surgical removal is typically recommended if any portion of a battery is seen on radiography.

Your dog may require in-hospital chelation therapy for heavy metal exposure, regardless of battery location and symptoms. Other services include pain management, gastrointestinal protectants and digital imaging monitoring for symptomatic patients or for dogs who chewed batteries as symptoms can get worse before they get better.