The Airedale Terrier, also sometimes referred to as the “King of Terriers", is the largest of the Terrier breed. These dogs weigh up to 70 pounds and have the true appearance of royalty. They sport a beautiful mustache and beard that would make any hipster jealous, along with a thick, tan coat with black patches.

As with most terriers, the Airedale has a lot of energy and must be exercised daily. They love to swim and jog alongside their owners and will be more than happy for a nice game of fetch. Very often the Airedales’ “puppy stage” will last into their middle years and they will continue to be mischievous during this time, so if you’re wondering what happened to your missing sock, your pup may very well have stolen it!

The Airedale is a very independent dog which sometimes makes it difficult to get its attention or to properly follow your commands (what else do you expect from a king?). This doesn’t take away from the fact that these terriers are excellent hunters and companions. These are very intelligent dogs, their training and exercise schedule shouldn’t become too familiar to them otherwise they will get bored and inattentive.

The Airedale does have a defensive side to it and can be aggressive if they feel like they, or their family, are in danger. These terriers are extremely loyal to their own family but a bit less welcoming to unfamiliar faces. This makes them great guard dogs because they will never back down from an intruder and are incredibly brave. Like a true king protecting its castle!

Instagram Photo Permission: @dublinthedale