OFFICIAL BREED DESCRIPTION ICCF
BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY
The Airedale Terrier was formed in the 19th century in the Aire Valley (Yorkshire, England), where local hunters sought to create a versatile dog capable of working both on land and in water. Otterhounds, old English black-and-tan terriers, and various hounds contributed to the breed’s endurance, sharp scenting ability, and agility. The Airedale quickly became known as a hunter of otter, badger, and larger game, and later as a reliable service dog used in the army, police, and search-and-rescue work. The breed combines strength, alertness, and high trainability. Today the Airedale Terrier is valued as a working and family dog with a stable temperament and a bright, expressive character.
GENERAL APPEARANCE
The Airedale Terrier is a large terrier-type dog, strong, well-balanced, with well-developed musculature and a dry, tight body. The format is slightly elongated, lines clean, proportions balanced. The head is long and flat, without coarseness; ears small, carried forward in a fold. The chest is deep but not broad; the back straight and strong; the loin short and muscular. The tail is high-set and carried with confidence. Limbs are straight, dry, strong, providing energetic movement. The coat is hard, dense, wiry, with characteristic tan markings. The general appearance conveys strength, temperament, and working flexibility, combining power with elegance and the lively nature of a terrier.
IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS
The Airedale Terrier has a proportional, slightly elongated format: body length exceeds height at the withers by approximately 5–10%. Chest depth is about half the height of the dog, ensuring sufficient lung capacity. Head length is approximately 40–45% of the height at the withers; skull and muzzle are equal in length. Limbs are long, straight, and well-balanced, contributing to free movement and stability. The tail is set high, continuing the topline. All proportions should emphasize the blend of strength and agility. Excessive length or shortness, narrow body, disproportionate head, or short limbs are deviations from type.
BEHAVIOUR AND CHARACTER
The Airedale Terrier exhibits a lively temperament, high energy, and strong working instinct. It is an intelligent, brave, and independent dog, capable of making decisions in challenging conditions. With correct training it shows steadiness, reliability, and strong attachment to its owner. With strangers it may be alert, but should not display unwarranted aggression. In work it is energetic, initiative-driven, and highly trainable, capable of multitasking: guarding, tracking, herding, sport. The Airedale requires consistent mental and physical stimulation to maintain stable temperament. Shyness, excessive softness, or aggression are considered serious faults.
HEAD
The head of the Airedale Terrier is long, strong, yet dry, without excessive heaviness. The skull is flat, of moderate width, tapering smoothly toward the eyes. The stop is minimal, almost absent, creating a wedge-shaped profile. The muzzle is long, straight, strong, with powerful jaws and correct form. Cheeks should not be prominent; skull and muzzle lines remain parallel. Lips are dry and tight. The nose is large, black, with well-opened nostrils. Scissor bite with strong, even teeth. The correct head conveys confidence, attentiveness, and determination, matching the breed’s working and spirited character.
FACIAL REGION
The facial region emphasizes dryness and strength. The muzzle is long, even in width throughout, with a straight bridge, allowing a strong grip. Lips are thin, dry, tight, without looseness. The chin is well-formed, firm, not excessively prominent. Cheeks are smooth and narrow, supporting the wedge outline. The nose is large, black, with wide nostrils. The coat on the muzzle is harsh and close-fitting, forming characteristic “beard” and “mustache,” highlighting the breed type. A short or narrow muzzle, a Roman nose, weak jaws, or excessive refinement violate working type and functionality.
EYES
Eyes are dark, small, oval, set moderately deep, giving an expression of attentiveness, determination, and lively temperament. The gaze should be energetic and intelligent but not aggressive. Light, round, or protruding eyes are faults, as they distort typical expression. Eyelids are dry, tight, well pigmented, and should not show entropion or ectropion. Eyes must reflect the working terrier character—focus, sharpness, and readiness for action. Any fearful, confused, or overly soft expression is incorrect for the Airedale and considered a deviation.
EARS
Ears are small, V-shaped, folded forward, set high but not on the very top of the skull. Ear tips point toward the temples, lying close and emphasizing the dryness of the head and alert expression. Ears must not be large, low-set, erect, or hanging—such shapes violate breed type. Ear cartilage is firm and elastic, maintaining proper shape both in motion and at rest. Correct ear set enhances the characteristic silhouette and the Airedale’s working alertness. Incorrect form or disproportionate size is a fault.
NECK
The neck of the Airedale Terrier is of medium length, dry, muscular, widening gradually toward the shoulders. The topline of the neck is smooth, contributing to a noble profile and balanced silhouette. Skin is tight, without dewlap. The neck must be long enough to allow free head movement and proper balance but not so long as to disrupt the outline. Musculature is well developed but not coarse, preserving elegance and working character. Too short, thick, or weak a neck is a fault as it disrupts body proportions and reduces functionality.
BODY
The body of the Airedale Terrier is strong, proportional, slightly elongated, combining power with functional structure. The topline is straight, level, and stable, without dip or roach. Withers moderately pronounced, blending into a strong, straight back. Loin short, broad, muscular, providing flexibility and strength for rear drive. Chest deep but not broad; ribs moderately sprung, offering sufficient breathing capacity during work. Belly slightly tucked, emphasizing dryness. Croup short, muscular, slightly sloping. The body must convey endurance, compactness, and readiness for work. Any signs of looseness, excessive heaviness, or weakness are faults.
TAIL
The tail of the Airedale is high-set, strong, straight, carried confidently, continuing the topline. Traditionally the breed’s tail was docked, though natural length is acceptable; it must be long, straight, and harmonious. The tail should stand vertically or slightly inclined, never curled or deviated. Low-set tail, weak or crooked vertebrae, excessive height of carriage, or tight curl are faults. The correct tail emphasizes temperament, confidence, and balance, moving naturally as part of the dog’s functional structure.
EXTERIOR DESCRIPTION
FOREQUARTERS
Forequarters are straight, dry, with strong bone, set parallel. Shoulder blades long, well laid back, close-fitting, enabling broad reach and smooth movement. Upper arms strong, forming correct angulation with the shoulders and allowing free forward extension. Elbows directed strictly backward, close to the body, without turning out or in. Forearms long, straight, strong. Pasterns slightly sloping, elastic, providing shock absorption and stability. Weak ligaments or pasterns, incorrect set, east-west feet, or toe-in faults undermine functional movement.
HINDQUARTERS
Hindquarters are powerful, well-muscled, providing strong, springy drive and stability during work. Thighs long, broad, with pronounced musculature; lower legs extend backward, forming correct movement lines. Stifles well defined, with clear angulation—neither straight nor overly sharp. Hock joints strong, well formed, without signs of weakness. Metatarsi short, vertical, stable, supporting collection and drive. Rear limbs must be parallel. Cow-hocks, weak ligaments, excessive angulation, or straight stifles disrupt functionality and working type.
GAIT / MOVEMENT
The Airedale Terrier’s gait is free, energetic, powerful, with correct reach and a stable topline. Forelimbs extend forward smoothly and evenly, without excessive sweep; hindlimbs provide a strong, decisive push, producing forward momentum. The body should remain stable during motion, without rolling or dipping. The trot is the primary gait, and must be straight, even, rhythmic. The dog changes direction easily while maintaining balance. Stiffness, short steps, rolling, narrow or wide movement, or insufficient drive indicate structural faults or weak ligaments.
COAT
The coat of the Airedale Terrier is hard, dense, wiry, lying close, with pronounced texture. The undercoat is soft, short, and thick, providing protection. The guard hairs must be harsh, evenly distributed, forming the characteristic wiry coat. On the muzzle the coat forms the distinctive beard and mustache. On limbs and body coat must be of moderate length, never curly, soft, silky, or sparse. Curls, softness, lack of harshness, or excessively short coat are faults. Correct coat emphasizes working qualities and breed type.
PERMITTED COLOURS
The Airedale Terrier’s coat color is classic for wire-coated terriers: black-and-tan or dark grizzle-and-tan. Black or dark grizzle covers the back, neck, part of the body, and tail, forming the “saddle.” Tan must be rich and even, ranging from light tan to dark reddish tan, without speckling or dirty tones. White markings, sootiness, blurred zones, or unclear color boundaries are unacceptable. Pigmentation of the nose, lips, and eyelids must be dark. Correct color highlights breed type and working temperament, maintaining clarity and expression.
SIZE
The Airedale Terrier is the largest representative of the terrier group while maintaining dryness and functionality. Height at the withers for males averages 58–61 cm and for females 56–59 cm. Weight ranges 18–30 kg depending on sex and build. The dog must appear strong and muscular but not heavy or loose. The format is slightly elongated to ensure freedom of movement and endurance. Oversized, heavy dogs, or overly light individuals violate breed balance. Size must correspond to working purpose, allowing strength, agility, and stability.
FAULTS
Faults include deviations that disturb the harmony and functionality of the breed. These include weak musculature, insufficient chest depth, weak or long pasterns, east-west or narrow limbs. Irregular topline, weak croup, insufficient drive, or restricted movement reduce working quality. Head faults include coarseness, round skull, short or overly narrow muzzle, light eyes, insufficient nose pigmentation. Coat lacking harshness or being wavy is also a fault. All faults are evaluated by severity and impact on working capacity.
DISQUALIFYING FAULTS
Disqualifying faults include any signs that fundamentally violate breed type or compromise health and functionality. Unprovoked aggression, panic-level fearfulness, or behavioral instability exclude a dog from breeding. Undershot, overshot, absence of several key teeth, severe jaw deformities, incorrect ear or tail structure are serious violations. Complete or partial albinism, incorrect colors, large white markings are unacceptable. Severe movement disorders, dysplasia, ligament weakness, pronounced anatomical defects, or any signs of crossbreeding lead to disqualification.
IMPORTANT NOTES
The Airedale Terrier has a strongly expressed working potential, so evaluation must consider energy, endurance, stable temperament, and functional movement. Sexual dimorphism must be noticeable: males more powerful, females somewhat lighter but still dry and strong. The coat must maintain its harsh texture without grooming-based distortions. Artificial alteration of coat texture or color is prohibited. Age-related features, including coat density and musculature, must be taken into account. The breed’s natural terrier temperament—confidence, determination, and workability—must be preserved.
CONCLUSION
The Airedale Terrier is a universal working dog of great intelligence, strength, and endurance. It combines qualities of a guardian, tracking dog, and service dog with the liveliness and spirit of a terrier. The breed requires consistent training, regular exercise, and an experienced owner capable of directing its energy into work. Correct structure, harsh coat, harmonious movement, and stable temperament form the foundation for maintaining the breed. The Airedale remains a valuable partner in sport, service, and family life, preserving its historical uniqueness and functionality.
