Airedale Terrier

Match the diet to your dog's life stage, and keep clean, fresh water available at all times. Some Airedales are prone to gaining weight, so watch calorie intake and use treats in moderation, since too many can lead to obesity.

Feed on a set schedule rather than leaving food out around the clock, as free-feeding can lead to weight gain and related health issues. A general feeding rhythm looks like this:

• Puppies: three meals a day on a regular schedule
• Adults (from about 1 year): two meals a day

How much your Airedale needs depends on its size, age, and activity level. Use the guidance on your dog food label and talk to your veterinarian about amounts and any concerns.

Because Airedales are susceptible to bloat, avoid exercise right before and after meals, and skip the raised bowl. A slow-feeder bowl helps slow down fast eaters, which further reduces the chance of bloat.

A well-balanced food covers most nutritional needs, but some Airedales may benefit from supplements such as fish oil for dry, itchy skin.

The Airedale has a short, wiry coat that needs relatively little maintenance and sheds very little. Brushing once or twice a week removes loose and dead hair and keeps the coat strong and healthy. Some people with dog allergies find they can share a living space with a well-brushed Airedale. If a session turns up mats, break them apart by hand and tease them out with a comb.

Plan on full grooming, where the dog is bathed, brushed, and stripped or clipped, three or four times a year, by you or a professional. A groomer keeps the outer coat from looking shaggy and clears dead hair from the undercoat. When you do bathe an Airedale, skip the conditioner, since the coat produces its own oils.

Check the ears weekly and keep them clean and dry with a cotton ball or a dog-specific ear cleaner, which helps head off infections and irritation. Wipe away any eye drainage and trim long hair around the eyes that could block vision. If you notice discharge or anything unusual about the eyes, talk to your vet.

If dry or itchy skin appears and a diet change does not help, see your vet to rule out an underlying cause.

Terriers are known for high energy, and as the largest of them, the Airedale needs that energy channeled into safe outlets. A daily play session, plus walks or backyard time several times a day, generally satisfies the breed. Airedales love anything that involves the family, like walks and a game of fetch in the yard.

These dogs are deeply curious and love to investigate whatever catches their attention, so keep tempting items like a newspaper, cardboard box, or bag of chips out of reach when they are unsupervised. They are not especially anxious or vocal, but they are known to dig, so think twice before leaving one alone in the backyard.

Plenty of engaging toys and good daily exercise help head off the boredom-driven behaviors this breed can develop. An Airedale thrives with a yard to run in and regular outdoor outings where it can spend its energy.

Raising an Airedale, especially a puppy, is a real time and energy commitment. Be ready to exercise your dog every day and to keep its busy mind occupied.

Because of the Airedale's size, strength, and rambunctiousness, obedience training is highly recommended. At a minimum, an Airedale should learn basic commands like come, sit, and stay. The breed's intelligence and close family bonds can make training go smoothly, and these dogs aim to please their people.

Airedales learn fast, which is both a boon and a challenge. They pick up new tricks quickly but can latch onto bad habits just as fast, so positive reinforcement and patience are the way to teach good manners and what is and is not a chew toy. A smart dog is an easily bored dog, so vary your sessions, keep them short of repetitive, and give plenty of rewards when your dog follows a cue.

Airedales are natural-born hunters, so even a well-trained one should stay on a leash or in a secure, fenced area outdoors. The instinct to hunt is strong and can take over in a moment.

More reserved than some terriers but not shy, a well-trained Airedale generally gets along with children, dogs, and other pets. Supervise play with toddlers and smaller children closely, since these rangy, strong, boisterous dogs can knock things over, and teach both the children and the dog to respect each other.