Are Airedale Terriers Good Dogs? Find Out The Truth Now!

We know that Airedale Terriers are bigger than most other terrier breeds. So, one might be thinking, ‘Are Airedale Terriers good dogs?’ due to their less popularity.

Dogs are one of the most demanding pets around the world. Thanks to their exceptional personality traits and ability to make a solid bond with humans, everyone adores dogs.

Read – How Big Do Airedale Terriers Get? Average Size & Weight

Dogs have unique temperaments, personalities, and physiques based on their breeds. So, in that case, how would you define who would be the best dog for you? Simply put, in your opinion, what makes a good dog? People will answer this question in several ways. 

In this article, we are talking about Airedale Terriers. If you want to find out whether this breed fits your preference, keep reading.  

So, are Airedale Terriers good dogs? Airedale Terriers are a versatile breed; hence we can consider them good dogs in many ways. This breed has a lineage from hunting backgrounds; therefore, Airedale Terriers are perfect guard dogs that are highly protective of their family. This breed might show somewhat assertive behavior, yet; they are intelligent and perfectly trainable.

Moreover, they are friendly and active dogs. Training and early socialization help them to merge well with small kids as well as other pets. Another plus point about this breed is that it is hypoallergenic, meaning it sheds and drools in minimal amounts.

Therefore you will find it easy to maintain them. Considering everything, Airedale Terriers undoubtedly make excellent family pets. 

There is no precise way to define a good dog. However, if we generally observe things, if a dog is friendly, loyal, protective, and easy-going, we can consider them good dogs. Airedale Terrier is a wonderful Terrier breed that contains all such characteristics.

For your ease, this article is divided into subsections; feel free to go through them and better understand what makes Airedale Terriers good pets.

Are Airedale Terriers good family dogs?

Why would you add a dog to your family in the first place? You may need a dog to protect you and your family or even just to have a friendly companion.

Airedale Terriers are both great companions as well as good watchdogs. Therefore they certainly make ideal family pets.

Airedale Terriers could have strong-willed personalities; nonetheless, they are friendly and fun-loving dogs. Airedale Terriers absolutely love their family; they are also loyal dogs.

As this breed predominantly descends from hunting backgrounds, some might think that Airedale Terriers are aggressive, but that is not true. Indeed, they were initially hunting dogs, but that does not mean they are uncontrollable and aggressive.

Airedale Terriers can be a little assertive and mischievous by nature, but they are intelligent dogs and can be well-trained. Sometimes you might get concerned about having a dog if you have small kids.

When you train an Airedale Terrier from a young age, they will be one of the most affectionate dog breeds, especially with small children. Since Airedale Terriers are active and energetic dogs, they love to get along with children.

Moreover, Airedale Terriers can handle rough playing and are tolerant dogs, making it easy for them to merge with kids. As much as these dogs love their families, they also can spend time alone. So if you have to leave your Airedale Terrier alone for a few hours, they will not make a fuss. 

When you look into the ideal family dog, some people prioritize maintenance. The excellent news is Airedale Terriers are low-maintenance dogs. They only need minimal grooming needs.

Airedale Terriers are hypoallergenic; therefore, they do not shed and drool frequently. So if anyone in your family is sensitive to allergies but still needs a dog, Airedale Terrier is a safe choice. 

Are Airedale Terriers good guard dogs?

If you want your dog to protect your family, Airedale Terriers will undoubtedly do the job. If we look into the history of Airedale Terriers, this breed gained popularity during the first world war.

In this period, Airedale Terriers were used for military purposes and as guard dogs. So guard, and watchdog qualities are naturally embedded within them. 

A watchdog should contain specific characteristics; for instance, they should be bold, brave, and dynamic. When Airedale Terriers became family pets, their assertive characters changed to some extent.

Nonetheless, Airedale Terriers still demonstrate the qualities of guard dogs. These dogs are strong and highly vocal, so it helps them to act instantly if something suspicious or dangerous happens and protect the family.

If you train your Airedale Terrier to be a guard dog from a young age, their guard dog characteristics will get polished over time.

Even though you did not specifically train them to be guard dogs, their protective instinct will still be shown by them. 

Are Airedale Terriers good with other dogs?

How well do Airedale Terriers merge with other dogs? Generally, Airedale Terriers have outgoing personalities, so they get along pretty well with other dogs.

However, before letting your Airedale Terrier associate with other dogs, there are several things that you should pay attention to.

Airedale Terriers, as mentioned, blend well with other dogs, but sometimes they need constant socialization to get there. If they lack socialization skills, Airedale Terriers find it complicated to cope with other dogs.

You have to pay extra attention to early socialization if you get an Airedale Terrier while already having another dog or getting a new dog while having an Airedale Terrier. 

Suppose you already have a dog home and hope to get an Airedale Terrier or vice versa. In such a situation, do not let the dogs directly associate with one another at the very beginning.

Take things slow and train step by step so they will quickly get along with one another. Also, if you decide to have another dog with an Airedale Terrier, it is more convenient to have one with similar characteristics to Airedale Terriers, for instance, active and energetic.

Similarities in characters will help them to become friendlier. There could also be instances where an Airedale Terrier finds the other dogs as their competition which can also be addressed through proper training.

On the other hand, if you socialize your Airedale Terrier better, they will also learn how to interact with strange dogs they meet. 

Are Airedale Terriers good with cats?

As discussed in the previous section Airedale Terriers usually get along well with other dogs, and their ability to merge with other dogs gets way better through socialization.

Is it the same with Airedale Terriers and Cats? Cats are yet another popular domestic animal, so if you already have a cat, it is okay to get an Airedale Terrier, or if you already have an Airedale Terrier, is it alright to get a cat? 

While cats and dogs can be opponents, they can also be buddies. Airedale Terrier is a dog breed that can cohabit with cats. However, remember, if you want an Airedale Terrier to make friends with a cat, there are certain things that you must do.

Airedale Terrier is a breed that has prey instincts as they come from hunting backgrounds. Therefore if you do not help the dog to socialize, there could be a fair chance that the dog will act aggressively toward other animals in the house.

Also, take your time introducing the two animals; it is perfectly fine to do it at a slower pace because that way, they find it easier to get along with one another and become amicable. 

Are Airedale Terriers good for first-time owners?

If you are someone getting a pet dog for the very first time, you will surely come across many concerns.

You will ask yourself which breed will suit your family the most; will you be able to train them and take good care of them? It is normal that you feel on edge if you are a first-time dog owner.

Therefore it is mandatory to have a solid understanding before adding a dog to your family for the first time.

If you decide to get an Airedale Terrier as your first dog, you must pay attention to several things. As mentioned, this breed is super energetic and has bold personality traits.

So if you do not put adequate effort into training them from the youngest age, they will likely grow up stubborn, and their energy will be a handful to deal with.

Airedale Terriers get along with family, even kids, but early socialization is a must. You have to be sure you have the time and capacity to train and socialize them; if so, Airedale Terriers will make great family pets.

Final thoughts 

Dogs have varying personalities and requirements, all of which matter when you decide to get one for your family.

Airedale Terriers are dogs with vibrant characters, and they certainly make excellent family pets as they are friendly, loyal, active, and protective.

However, this breed needs through training and early socialization, which is not a lot if you do things correctly at the correct time.

It is important to note that no matter what breed you expect to get, adopting a dog comes with both rewards and challenges. Read more abut Airedale Terriers here.