Are Airedale Terriers Good Guard Dogs? Can They Protect You?

If you plan to adopt an Airedale Terrier, you might be thinking whether Airedale Terriers are good guard dogs or not. In that case, this article will answer your all the burning questions.

Airedale Terriers’ primary purpose was to control the rat and otter population back in the day, so they have natural hunting instincts and good swimming abilities. But does that mean Airedales are aggressive dogs? No, they are friendly when it comes to interacting with people.

So, are Airedale Terriers good guard dogs? Yes. The Airedale Terriers are intelligent, fierce, and protective of the people they care for. It makes Airedale Terriers good guard dogs. Therefore, Airedale terriers were also employed by the police and military back in the 1900s.

The Airedale Terrier guard dog breed originates from the Aire River Valley of England, which is also why it got the name Airedale. They resulted from a cross between multiple dog breeds like the Black And Tan Terrier, the Bull Terrier, and Otterhound. 

Are Airedale Terriers Good Guard Dogs?

Yes, Airedale Terriers make excellent guard dogs! They are very active and alert, making them more suitable as a dog that can always protect you.

Although an Airedale terrier can be a little stubborn sometimes when it comes to training, they are rapid learners.

Here are some reasons why you should keep Airedale terriers as guard dogs.

• The size of the Airedale Terrier makes them good guard dogs

Airedale Terriers are known as the king of terriers because of their large size. Usually, Airedale Terriers weigh around 45-60 pounds and have a height of 22-24 inches as a grown adult.

Read – Airedale Terrier Grooming Guide and Airedale Terriers Diet Plan & Feeding Tips

Although, when compared to other dogs, this might not seem like much, they are still medium-sized and have equal strength, which can protect you from any danger.

• The energy of the Airedale Terrier makes them good guard dogs

The Airedale Terrier guard dog is always active. It means that Airedales will always run around, playing and jumping above, so you don’t have to worry about your dog even at night!

Airedales rarely get tired and will not get sleepy like other dogs at night. They need to be exercised daily. Preferably a 15-minute walk per day will be enough to keep them healthy so that they can protect you.

• The alertness of the Airedale Terrier makes them good guard dogs

The Airedale Terrier guard dog is always vigilant, meaning it will always listen to even the little changes in the surroundings.

For example, they keep a watchful eye on the vehicle sounds, the way doors and gates open, and even the sounds of footsteps!

If Airedale terriers sense something or someone strange, they will try to sniff around and figure out what it is. That is why they were used as police and military dogs during WWI.

• The barking tendencies of the Airedale Terrier make them good guard dogs

Airedale terriers are known as having more baring tendencies when compared to other dogs. It means that they are pretty loud and powerful when they bark.

If you wonder if it will become uncontrollable, don’t worry. They don’t bark that frequently. However, if your Airedale sees a stranger, especially at night, they will bark very loudly to alert you.

• The instincts of the Airedale Terrier make them good guard dogs

The Airedale terrier guard dog got its protective characteristics from their ancestors. Although Airedales are owned as pets, originally, they were bred as hunting dogs, so they will always have their instincts of being aggressive around unfamiliar people and other pets.

Because of this high energy level, they will also have chewing and digging behaviors. So, they will make good guard dogs and will protect you and your family at all costs!

Will My Airedale Terrier Protect Me From Threats?

Yes, the Airedale Terrier guard dog will always protect you from threats. It is one of the main reasons why Airedales makes excellent family pets! 

When I was a little kid, we, too, had an Airedale Terrier dog as a family pet. One day when I was playing in the backyard alone, one of my mother’s friends approached me to say goodbye to me.

She only meant to give me a little hug. However, since our Airedale Terrier was not familiar with her, he was continuously barking and didn’t even let her come near me!

Then my mother signaled our Airedale terrier that she could be trusted, and then only he stopped barking and acting aggressively.

I gave this example to show you how protective the Airedale terrier dogs can be, especially for little kids. Airedale terriers love to spend time with little kids and protect them, but the large size of the dog can be a little challenging for them.

So, make sure to always keep a watchful eye when your Airedale terrier plays with them.

Airedale Terrier guard dogs are always loyal and obedient to the family they are with. They will always alert you to strange noises and people to protect you from threats.

So, if you are someone who is visiting a home with an Airedale terrier for the first time, always try to approach them slowly and gain their trust. Otherwise, Airedale terriers might think you are an intruder and will bite you to protect their owner. 

What Is The Bite Force Of An Airedale Terrier?

As I mentioned, an Airedale terrier guard dog can bite you if it senses that you are a threat to its owners. However, if you are familiar with them, they won’t even growl at you!

So what is the bite force of an Airedale Terrier? The bite force of an Airedale Terrier is 269 PSI, meaning that the bite can cause considerable pain and may cause wounds too.

Since Airedale terriers are not known as fierce biters, this can be avoided by training them at a younger age. Make sure that you socialize them as puppies. Airedales are not solitary creatures, so they will certainly like to meet new people and pets. 

Considering all factors, it is clear that Airedale Terriers make excellent guard dogs. If you are looking for a dog that can be a great lifetime companion as well as a guard dog, some of the characteristics of Airedale Terriers, such as being extremely loyal and protective of their owners, are plus points.

Airedale Terriers’ natural hunting instincts, intelligence, and alertness will help them keep an eye on you at all times.