Here, allow me to introduce you to the Airedale Shepherd, the most active and intelligent dog breed there is. People who lead active lives tend to like this dog breed because of its high level of activity.
This newer combination between the fearless Airedale Terrier and the devoted German Shepherd is guaranteed to attract attention for years to come.
About The Breed
A blend of the Airedale Terrier and the German Shepherd, the Airedale Shepherd is an athletic dog breed.
The Airedale Terrier is a dog with high smell sensitivity and was used as a messenger during WWI, as an army dog, the Airedale Shepherd is an athletic and energetic dog.
Both parents are large-sized dogs, making the Airedale Shepherd a large-sized dog. The Airedale Shepherds come between a height range of 22 to 26 inches.
The Airedale Shepherd is known for its fun-loving character and its innate intelligence. They are very easy to train and are lovable dogs who are loyal to their family.
They come in different colors ranging from black to grizzle.
It takes time for them to become comfortable with strangers and other animals; therefore, the Airedale Shepherd must be socialized at an early age. With proper training and socializing, they grow up to be great with other pets as well as children.
They, however, have an innate need to herd smaller animals and children. They are watchful and obedient and can be the perfect companion and guard dog.
Airedale Shepherd Dog Breed History
A new entry in the list of designer breeds, the Airedale Shepherd does not have much history of bragging, but being a mixed breed, it does have two remarkable dog breeds for its parent breeds – the Airedale Terrier and the German Shepherd.
The Airedale Terrier was initially used for hunting rats, and they even participated in rat hunting competitions.
Often called the “King of Terriers,” they are an intelligent dog breed. They were employed as sentries and carriers during WWI.
The Airedale is known to be one of the first dogs to enter the police in England and Germany. An active and efficient dog breed, the German Shepherd dogs are known for their agility and their loyalty.
One of the most protective dog breeds, they were historically used as herding dogs in Germany.
They were later on recognized for their lightning-fast response. They are now used in the police and army owing to their intelligence.
The Airedale Shepherd inherits both the agility and sportsmanship of the Afghan Hound and the herding instincts of the Airedale Shepherd and the German Shepherd and therefore are a perfect mix of loyalty and protectivity.
Airedale Shepherd Dog Breed Job Card/Overview
| Breed Name | Airedale Shepherd |
|---|---|
| Other Name of Airedale Shepherd | Airedale Shepherd |
| Type of Dog Breed | Mixed/Crossbreed/Hybrid |
| Origin | England; Germany |
| Born of | Airedale Terrier and German Shepherd |
| Height | 24 – 26 inches |
| Weight | 50 – 75 lbs |
| Life Expectancy | 10 – 12 years |
| Coat Type | Shedding is above-average |
| Coat Colors | Black; tan; red; silver and grizzle |
| Level of Grooming | Lots of grooming |
| Level of Shedding | Shedding is above average |
| Persona | Independent; fun; intelligent and friendly |
| Apartment Living | Not ideal for Apartment living |
| Friendly to Other Pets | No; they can be a bit on the aggressive side |
| Health Concerns | Bloating; cataracts, elbow dysplasia, retinal dysplasia, cerebellar abiotrophy; hip dysplasia, deafness, eye anomaly, nasal solar dermatitis |
| Health Expectancy | Healthy |
| Ability to reason and understand | Intelligent |
| Ease of Training | Easy to train |
| Level of Vitality | High |
| Level of Exercise Ideally Required | Medium; 45 minutes of daily activity |
| Puppies | 3 – 12 puppies |
What to know
• Today these dogs are used by police.
Characteristics
Adaptability
The Airedale Shepherd has earned a reputation for extraordinary versatility.
This dog breed incorporates the smarts and herding prowess of the German Shepherd with the boundless curiosity and adaptability of the Airedale Terrier.
The Airedale Shepherd is equally at home in the city as it is in the country. In addition to being devoted pets, they also make formidable working dogs, whether in herding, search and rescue, or agility trials.
They are great all-around pets because of their adaptability and willingness to learn new things.
Adaptability
Adapts Well To Apartment Living
Good For Novice Owners
Sensitivity Level
Tolerates Being Alone
Review 6
Tolerates Cold Weather
Friendliness
The Airedale Shepherd has a reputation for being a friendly and approachable dog. They tend to be friendly and loving to their human families.
When taken care of properly, they can get along great with other animals and people. They are popular with families and people who want a caring and protective companion due to their amiable nature, intelligence, and devotion.
All About Friendliness
Affectionate With Family
Kid-Friendly
Dog Friendly
Friendly Toward Strangers
Personality
Despite their famed roles as police and army dogs, the Airedale Shepherd is no less perfect as a family dog.
Great with both children and smaller pets, these dogs are watchful, alert, and obedient. They are very easy to train and have an inherently curious nature.
Much of this personality is inherited from its parent breed, the German Shepherd, one of the most intelligent breeds known to humankind. Like their parent breeds, the Airedale shepherd is very loyal and very brave.
They have a significant amount of love❤️ for their family and will grow aggressive in the presence of strangers. They are loud barkers.
Bold and adventurous, these dogs are playful too. They can come off as a bit obstinate at times, but that is something a little training can remove.
They have the sense to read any type of negativity and can smell out if you are even slightly unhappy.
Temperament
An Airedale Shepherd’s demeanor is typically clever, devoted, and lively. Do they have a reputation for being hardworking dogs with a natural ability to herd?
When raised and socialized properly, Airedale Shepherds may make wonderful pets and vigilant watchdogs thanks to their outgoing nature and protective instincts.
Friendly with kids
The Airedale Shepherd gets along well with most people, including children and other animals, when a good introduction is made.
If the dog is easily excited, care should be taken around young children lest the dog accidentally bowls one over.
Amicable to other pets
When raised with other animals and pets, Airedale Shepherds typically have a friendly personality. However, their relationships may be affected by factors such as temperament and training.
To promote peaceful coexistence, introductions should be made properly and monitoring should be ongoing.
Barking tendencies
The barking levels of the Airedale Shepherd can range from average to excessive. The progeny of these two breeds may inherit their parents’ tendency to make a lot of noise.
Dogs of the Airedale Shepherd breed often bark to warn their owners of danger or to communicate their wants.
Effective management and channeling of their barking tendencies is possible with early and consistent training and socialization.
Possibilities of Staying Alone
An Airedale Shepherd may not do well being left alone for long periods. They’re a smart and friendly breed that needs people to thrive.
Long periods of isolation could cause children to become bored, anxious, and destructive.
If you must leave your Airedale Shepherd at home alone, make sure to give them lots of mental stimulation with games and puzzles.
If your dog suffers from isolation or boredom, you may want to consider enrolling them in doggie daycare.
Pros and Cons of Airedale Shepherd Dog Breed
Pros
- They are very skilled in a variety of jobs, including herding, guarding, and search and rescue operations.
- The intelligence of an Airedale Shepherd makes it easy to teach it new tricks and commands.
- Because of their naturally vigilant nature, Airedale Shepherds make fantastic security pets and family protectors.
Cons
- They can be headstrong and defiant at times, so it’s important to be stern with them during training.
- If you want it to be friendly and well-behaved around other dogs and strangers, you’ll need to start socializing it as a puppy.
- Their hypoallergenic coat needs to be brushed and trimmed professionally to maintain its health and appearance.
Male vs Female Attitude
The Airedale Shepherds are loyal and playful dogs with a unique characteristic of curiosity about things.
It is difficult to draw a contrast among the Airedales shepherds based on their gender, but the females are more intense when it comes to their protective instincts than their male counterparts.
Appearance
The attractive and powerful Airedale Shepherd combines the good looks of an Airedale Terrier with the brains and agility of a German Shepherd. It has a medium build, and its dense double coat displays a variety of colors including black, tan, and even white.
General Appearance
Its body is usually powerful and muscular and has excellent proportions. The characteristic black and tan markings of the German Shepherd are combined with the wiry and dense double coat of the Airedale Terrier to create this hybrid breed.
The Airedale Shepherd has a dignified and perceptive appearance, with perked ears and bright eyes.
The overall appearance of this hybrid breed is gorgeous and regal because of the outstanding blend of the Airedale Terrier and German Shepherd features.
Coat color
The Airedale Shepherds often come in black, brown, silver, red, or grizzle coats of medium to long length.
Most of these dogs have a dense and silky mane, but it would be advised, as was mentioned earlier when it comes to coating maintenance and grooming; the first thing to be considered would be which of the parent breeds your Airedale shepherd takes after more.
The straight black mane of the German Shepherd needs brushing once or twice every week, while the dense, wiry coat of the Airedale Terrier requires brushing and grooming.
The German shepherds tend to shed throughout the year, but the Airedale Terrier is more of a seasonal shredder. The Airedale Terrier also requires regular trimming and shaping with a groomer.
German Shepherds do not need regular bathing because regular bathing can strip them of their natural oils. Approach a groomer or the vet and do as advised.
Shedding
An Airedale Shepherd sheds about as much as the average dog. The thick double coat of this breed consists of a dense, wiry outer coat and a soft undercoat, and is one of the breed’s defining characteristics.
Grooming helps keep the coat healthy and reduces the amount of shedding. Brushing once a week gets rid of the strays and keeps the hair from getting matted.
To maintain the desired length and structure of the coat, regular hand-stripping or trimming may be essential. The Airedale Shepherd has modest grooming needs, despite some shedding.
Size
The Airedale Shepherds are medium to large-sized dogs that take after their German Shepherd parent breed in terms of size and appearance. Standing at a height of 24 to 26 inches, these dogs have large and muscular bodies like the German shepherd dogs.
Its snout and ears, however, are similar to the other parent breed, the Airedale Terrier. With a weight that can come between 50 to 70 lbs, these dog breeds are athletic. Their athletic nature gives these dog breeds strong and muscled legs.
Muscular necks and a strong back are some trademark features associated with the Airedale Shepherds. They have a strong bone structure with a low and thick tail. Their long mane has a slight waviness to it.
| Male | Female | |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 22-26 Inches | 20-24 Inches |
| Weight | 27-45 Kgs | 23-41 Kg |
Health
The Airedale Shepherd dog breed is generally healthy. However, they are prone to some diseases that often affect their parent breeds – the Airedale Terrier and the German Shepherd. It is essential to schedule regular health checkups with the nearby vet.
| Health Problems |
|---|
| Hip Dysplasia |
| Allergies |
| Hypothyroidism |
| Elbow Dysplasia |
| Degenerative Myelopathy |
| Health Test |
|---|
| Patella Evaluation |
| Hip Evaluation |
| Elbow Evaluation |
| CBC Blood Count |
| GSD – II – DNA Test |
| PRCD – DNA Test |
Health And Grooming
The coat of an Airedale Shepherd should be groomed regularly. Both breeds contributed to their thick double coats. In addition, dogs with wiry coats typically require regular visits to a professional groomer for maintenance and shaping.
Health And Grooming Requirements
Amount Of Shedding
Drooling Potential
Easy To Groom
General Health
Potential For Weight Gain
Size
Maintenance and Care
The German Shepherd, as well as the Airedale Terrier, are dog breeds that require constant care and maintenance. This is not any different when it comes to the Airedale Shepherd. Consider which of the parent breeds it takes to come up with the right amount of grooming and brushing.
The German Shepherd with its double coat has a less but regular shedding rate compared to the wiry-coated Airedale Terriers, who are seasonal shedders, where one requires brushing once or twice a week, and the other requires more brushing along with regular cutting.
Also, when it comes to the German Shepherd, the bathing sessions should be as rare as possible so that its skin is not stripped of its natural oils.
Given that both the German Shepherd breed and the Airedale Terrier are intelligent and physically active dogs, the Airedale Shepherd also will need daily activities that will engage both their mind and body. Plenty of outdoor time is a necessity.
Grooming
An Airedale Shepherd should be brushed every week, given a bath every four to six weeks, and have its face, ears, and paws trimmed once a year.
Due to their double coat, Airedale Shepherds require frequent brushing to reduce shedding, occasional washing, and special care of their nails, ears, and teeth.
The ideal approach to grooming is to tailor your routine to your dog’s unique coat type and, if necessary, consult a professional.
Food and Nutrition
Airedale Shepherds do not have any special requirements when it comes to feeding. Grain-free high-protein food or formulas with moderate content of protein are recommended. Since these dogs tend to be allergic, be sure to avoid allergens like dairy, wheat, soy, etc.
If the Airedale Shepherd has a sensitive stomach, it is advised that they are given food with limited ingredients.
Grain-free food increases thirst, so make sure your Airedale Shepherd has access to fresh, clean water.
Food Cost
To feed a high-quality diet to an Airedale Shepherd once a month, you can anticipate spending somewhere in the range of $50 to $100 on average. This estimate is based on the assumption that you have been feeding them dry dog food. that is available for purchase.
Exercise and Activity Level
The Airedale Shepherd comes from a long line of hunters; the German Shepherd was historically a hunting dog and is now famous as a police dog, while the Airedale Terrier is also a historic hunter.
This instinctual urge to hunt is retained by the Airedale Shepherd, who requires at least 60 minutes of daily exercise to keep them from becoming aggressive or exhibiting temper tantrums. They love a run about the track or the yard.
Physical Requirements
Energy Level
Intensity
Exercise Needs
Potential for Playfulness
Trainability
Training Airedale Shepherds is rather simple. They respond to commands rather fast, and if they are rewarded before or after, even better. Their high level of intelligence also facilitates speedy instruction.
Trainability
Easy To Train
Intelligence
Potential For Mouthiness
Prey Drive
Tendency To Bark Or Howl
Wanderlust Potential
Conclusion
A perfect fit for people who enjoy athletics and physical training, the Airedale Shepherd loves to engage in activities that burn off energy.
Easy to train and obedient, they have endless amounts of energy to burn. With consistent training, these dogs should remain happy.
They would need at least ten minutes of training sessions regularly. It would be good if they were provided with obedience classes occasionally.
These dog breeds are highly intelligent and are known for their loyal nature. They are not the best choice if you are a new dog parent.
They have a strong will and need exercise. Take them out for walks and hikes and keep them busy, or they might grow frustrated and bored easily.
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FAQs For Airedale Shepherd Dog Greed…
How long does the Airedale Shepherd dog breed live?
The Airedale Shepherd has a life expectancy of up to 12 years.
What dog breeds are the Airedale Shepherds a mix of?
The Airedale Shepherd is a mix of the German Shepherd and the Airedale Terrier.
How tall will my Airedale Shepherd female dog grow?
A female Airedale Shepherd dog can grow up to 26 inches in height.
I am a passionate animal lover with a lifelong commitment to pet care. With over a decade of experience as a pet owner, I’ve nurtured a variety of furry and feathered friends, from cats and dogs to birds and reptiles. I possess a deep understanding of their unique needs, behavior, and health. My mission is to share my knowledge and insights to help fellow pet enthusiasts provide the best possible care for their beloved companions.