Can anyone give me some information on the breed? I really don't know much about them at all. I remember talking with a pretty gal a few years ago at the Home Depot I worked at, saying that her Airedale had pinned a coyote to the ground and was "playing" with it. I like the idea of that as I would like to use it as a coyote dog possibly, but my main use would be protection around the house for the Mrs. and step daughter when I am not home.

Can anyone please provide any experience or knowledge of the breed?

Airedales are just big terriers. Gritty, hard headed, fight to the death, never give up, strong willed, need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation, will chase most things that run, will try to kill anything that runs if they don't know better, will get keyed in on most anything, sweet as can be and make great house dogs when raised right. Airedales are also a good all around hunting breed. Of course there are exceptions to any breed and terriers are no different. Some are real pansies and make crap hunters.

The better questions are for the person looking at the breed. Have you ever had dogs before? Have you ever had a very strong willed, hard headed, very confident dog before and a big one at that? Are you willing to provide what a terrier needs? Are you willing to have a big dog that will challenge you and your family? Terriers aren't for everyone.

If what you're looking for is protection for your family then get an alarm system, teach your wife to use a gun and get a dog that will bark when it hears something, which can be virtually any dog.

I currently have 3 dogs. A yellow lab, a doberman/aussie mix (read, mut) and a strong willed, stubborn yet very good Olde English Bulldog.

The mut, would with out a doubt protect me, my fiance, and her 6 year old daughter with life and limb. Best dog I have ever had. He put himself between my girls and a large, aggressive pitbull a few weeks ago with out a second thought.

The reason I am researching a Airedale is just this past weekend there was a 6 year old girl, and classmate to the little girl taken from her home in Tucson. I have an alarm on my house, my dogs make noise, I am in Law Enforcement, and my fiance does know how to shoot. I just want to take it that extra step.

I am looking for a dog that I can possibly get trained, and leave in the little girls room at night. Also, if I could take it with me on coyote hunting trips, and escapes in the woods. The dog (probably a male as I personally feel they tend to protect better) would accompany the family everywhere.

Again, I am just in the researching phase and I am sure it wont be for a year + before I get one if at all.

You don't need another dog. You need to spend more time with your current dogs. Dobermann and Aussie mix? you can't beat that! An Olde English Bulldog??????????? Nothing beats that!!!!!!!!!!!!

Like I said spend some time with your dogs and maybe let them in the house.

What Norseman said. You're pretty well set with three dogs. Why not just put the mutt in her room if it would make you feel better?

And there is no saying that any Airedale or any breed you get will have protective instincts or will be able to be trained for such.

Where did I say that any of my dogs spend any time outside? Where did I say that I don't spend time with my dogs? My dogs are inside when I am home and during the summers, are inside when Im not (most of the time).

The Doberman/Aussie mix, like I said I know would protect us with his life in a heart beat. The problem is he is 8 years old. He hasnt showed any signs of slowing down yet, but I know the day is coming and I would like to have a new protector before the time is too late.

The Olde English Bulldog is just a sweetie. She is still young, but I dont have high hopes for her as a great guard dog. She barks at someone coming in, but wags her tail and retreats, usually to cover. Not the optimal guard dog.

First: I have long wanted an airedale myself. They're one of the fiercest protectors in the dog world, and breeders often go to an airedale when they want a dog with incredible "heart." That said, they can be a handful and even a liability if not well trained.

I had an Airdale that I adopted. She was about 5 years old when we got her. She had not been abused, but spent most of her life in a kennel.

After she got used to not living in a kennel, she was great. She had a little training early in life and came around pretty quick.

She really took to kids. We have none at home now, but have a house sitter whose grandkids stay with her at my house occasionally. I was a little leary at first, but that dog would sleep with the girls and followed them around everywhere.

Airdales are super dogs, just train them right, you will enjoy them.

Find a good breeder and I think you will like the Airedale very much. Of the ones I have seen over the years, I really don't think there is a lot of protection in them. There was a hunting Airedale breeder on the internet that maintained that there were very few Dales that were really gritty dogs on dangerous game....most of those were crossbreeds. There's a Youtube clip of his dog being challenged by a Schutzen Trainer and even his dog looked for a corner to go crawl in. I'm sure there are good ones out there but do some homework.

Don't get me wrong...they are nice dogs but so few are really dual purpose dogs today that you'll need to do some real hard and patient looking.

quote:

Originally posted by JonP:
Of the ones I have seen over the years, I really don't think there is a lot of protection in them.

I don't think that any terrier has much protection instincts and most are easily intimidated by a human in my experience. I've heard that even the European police lines take alot of work to be aggressive or not easily scared towards humans. My terrier knows how to hunt and kill but he is shy of people he doesn't know and things he can't identify send him into retreat mode. Heck, one time I startled him while he was eating and he was running in place for about 10 seconds trying to get out of the other side of the kitchen and away from me.

you will have a dog there is a good familiy dog. I have nr 3 airedale now and i will not have have other breeds.Be asure the airedale is a big dog (male)
In Germany they still use them as police dog.
as a famely dog you will not find a better breed,bur they had to be hair trimed 3-4 time a year.
when you train a airedal all must be for fun no fors no fors .If you fors an airedale they refuse to work

hunt safe
wisent

My Airedale is 5. Had her since she was 6 weeks old.

Hands down, my favorite dog ever.
Kill a coyote? Oh, hell yes. She hates 'em.




Loves to work cattle.
Digs for ground squirrels with an obsession. Pasture resembles bomb craters.

Great house dog, very relaxed, but with a BIG voice when the doorbell rings.

Not people or other dog aggressive, unless she's in HER truck.

Only issue I've had is she drinks too much.

Depends on the breeder, bloodline, show vs. hunting, etc. When I asked the same questions of a guy who used dogs for hogs, he said he switched to pit bulls because "Airedales do know when to let go." They are intelligent, loyal and protective. Our rescue dog was raised to show, hated water and wasn't a digger.

Even within a line individuality varies widely. Justin's brother (Harry) hated umbrellas while Justin disliked little boys and roller skates/bicycles. Being inside most of the time (in Texas) grooming was a must due to the heat and when we were gone he'd take something of ours outside and shred it. Access to cool is important if that is a factor where you live.

All said, we loved our Airedale but hunting wasn't really in the picture.

http://traditionalairedale.proboards.com/index.cgi?

You can get a ton of information here

quote:

Originally posted by BNagel:
Even within a line individuality varies widely. Justin's brother (Harry) hated umbrellas while Justin disliked little boys and roller skates/bicycles. when we were gone he'd take something of ours outside and shred it.

These behaviors are the fault of the owner, not the dog. They should have and could have been nipped in the bud. Any dog, breed or line can develop these behaviors, the key is to stop them as soon as they start.