Do Airedales Shed?

Airedale terriers have a beautiful, short-haired wiry coat. They don't shed much, but they do shed a little. Having them properly and regularly groomed results in even less shedding. Because the shedding is so minimal, this is a good dog for people who have allergies. However, some people are very allergic to the dander, not the hair, of Airedales, according to Aire-rescue.com.

  1. Keeping the Coat Under Control

    • Airedales have a beautiful black and tan coat. Clipping the coat keeps it under control although it won't get that long, because it's nappy and thick. However, it will grow full enough that the dog looks like a tumbleweed, notes Airedaleterriers.org. An Airedale needs regular grooming, otherwise his coat is not going to be in top-notch condition.

    Clipping

    • Brush the Airedale's coat, particularly if it's matted. Clip your pet at least two times each

      year. This prevents matting and tangling. However, if you are more fanatical about the dog's appearance you should have your Airedale groomed professionally every 6 to 10 weeks at which time he should be hand stripped or clipped. Most are clipped.

    The Rolls Royce of Coat Care

    • Hand stripping is the method that is used to prepare an Airedale for a dog show and takes

      weeks to complete. It consists of slowly pulling out the old coat as the dog's new coat grows in. The new coat is often darker than the old coat. Hand stripping is considered the "Rolls Royce" of coat care for Airedales and is generally reserved for show dogs.

    How It's Done

    • Because the coat is wiry and hard, small amounts of the dog's top hair can be plucked out easily, which creates space for new hair or the undergrowth to grow through. It sounds painful but Saffronairedales.web.com claims it is not, although this method is extremely time consuming and most pet owners don't do it. If you do hand strip you need a grooming table and stripping knives.