Do Airedale Terriers Shed?

When selecting a family dog you take many things into consideration. One of those things is the amount of maintenance the dog requires, another is the amount of mess the dog makes, and the affect on family members with allergies. Hearing that Airedale Terriers do not shed, many people may think this breed is a low maintenance and low allergen choice. This misconception often leads to an unhappy match for both dog and family.

  1. Shedding

    • Airedale Terriers do shed, but very little. Their coats, however, do require a significant amount of maintenance. The preferred grooming method for Airedales is stripping. This grooming method requires a stripping knife to be pulled through the hair, gently lifting dead hair from the coat and removing it. This project can be time consuming and can produce large amounts of hair in the grooming area. If the coat is regularly stripped, however, shedding is minimized. Most professional groomers prefer not to strip Airedales, but clip them with quick and efficient electric clippers instead. You may be able to find a specialty groomer who will strip your Airedale, but be prepared to pay a premium because of the additional time involved in the stripping process.

    Coat

    • The Airedale Terrier's coat is wiry over an undercoat. Stripping the coat and minimizing shedding can reduce the amount of dog hair and dander in the home. Some people have referred to Airedale Terriers as "Velcro" dogs -- the wiry aspect of the coat can be somewhat stiff like Velcro. However, when an Airedale runs through a field you quickly learn another meaning of the term "Velcro dog." Every burr and bramble is picked up in the Airedale's wiry coat. A romp in the field can mean a brush out every time. In addition, many of the plant materials picked up and delivered to the home can be allergens.

    Beard

    • Airedale Terriers typically sport a furry beard, a striking part of their general appearance. The beard is attractive until your Airedale Terrier gets a drink of water. Part of the Airedale personality is playing little jokes on people. It is quite likely that as soon as the beard is soaked, the owner will be greeted with a sloppy kiss, if for no other reason than the squealing reaction the kiss elicits.

    Trimming

    • Because of the wiry texture of the Airedale coat and the tendency to pick up sticky burrs, it is wise to trim the feet of hair between the toe pads. Ear leather, top of the head and neck may also need to be trimmed from time to time. A good Airedale Terrier groomer needs to be located if the owner does not like to spend a lot of time brushing, stripping and trimming the family dog.