The Airedale Terrier is the tallest terrier out of all the entire breed, hence the name King of Terriers. One of its principal progenitors are the Old English Terriers and the Black and Tan terriers. These dogs were greatly admired by the Yorkshire hunters, as they were medium sized dogs that would hunt everything from fox to rabbit.

Besides being dependable land animal hunters, they were amazing bird retrievers too. They were bred with Otterhounds during the mid 1800's, in order to breed a dog that had optimum water hunting skills with a better sense of tracking. The end result was a sharp looking dog that was an excellent otter hunter. These otter hunters are now referred to as the Airedale terrier, which was changed from the name Waterside Terriers in 1878.

Enthusiasts of the Terrier started showing these dogs in ringside competitions. To fully appreciate the Airedale Terrier's beauty, they were mixed with both Bull and Irish Terriers. The well known Terrier and champion "Master Briar" became the father of today's Airedale Terriers by the early 1900‘s.

Master Briar produced dogs that highly influenced the breed in the United States. They picked up popularity as strong hunters, proving themselves to be worthy at hunting big game. Today they are a rare breed to come across because their numbers declined after the end of World War I. Still, even today, their strong reputation remains true.

The most versatile Terrier of the Terrier dog breed group is the Airedale Terrier. They are bold, adventurous, and love to play. Training might take a little time, because even though they are very smart, they are also stubborn. They are loyal, obedient, and will make the best watch dogs, with the right amount of training. They are the most obedient house pet, as long as they receive the right amount of physical and mental stimulation.

Airedale Terrier dogs need a lot of exercise. They will get bored and become destructive in your home, if they don't get enough physical exertion. Playing games and taking them on long walks will give them enough stimulation to meet their requirements. Airedale Terriers can live outside during cold seasons, but it is better to have them sleep inside at night time with your family. They require more grooming than most other breeds because of their wiry long coat. They need to be combed thoroughly 2 to 3 times a week. Yu also need to have them scissor and clipped about every eight weeks

Most Airedale Terriers live to between 10 and 14 years of age. Their only main health concern is CHD and they are an extremely healthy breed. They have a few minor health concerns, such as, hypothyroidism and gastric torsion.