Longevity
Life expectancy
Its life expectancy is generally between 10 and 13 years. A balanced diet, regular activity adapted to its age, maintaining a healthy weight and preventive veterinary care help preserve its quality of life.
Constitution
Is this a robust breed?
Its athletic build, protective coat and endurance make it a hardy dog. This robustness does not remove the need to monitor its growth, joints and digestion, nor to adapt the intensity of exercise in puppies and seniors.
Things to watch for
What to look out for
Regular attention must be paid to its gait, its mobility, its digestive comfort and the condition of its skin. Any suddenly swollen abdomen, any unproductive attempt to vomit or any sudden lethargy constitutes a veterinary emergency.
Hip dysplasia: Poor congruence of the joint can lead to pain, lameness and osteoarthritis; screening breeding dogs reduces the risk.
Elbow dysplasia: This abnormality of joint development can cause forelimb lameness and early osteoarthritis.
Gastric dilatation-volvulus: Swelling and rotation of the stomach are a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate veterinary care.
Climate
Tolerance to cold and heat
Its double, harsh coat protects it properly from cold and bad weather. It also tolerates moderate heat, but intense exertion must be avoided during the hottest hours, with permanent access to shade and fresh water.
Weight
Prone to weight gain
Very active, the Airedale Terrier maintains its figure more easily when it gets daily exercise. Its ration must nevertheless be weighed and adjusted according to its age, its activity, its body condition and its neutering. Treats must remain limited and included in the total energy intake.
Everyday care
Good habits to keep your pet healthy
- Have the hips and elbows of breeding dogs checked.
- Maintain a stable weight to protect the joints.
- Avoid intense exertion just before and after meals.
- Brush regularly and inspect the skin and ears.
- Consult promptly in case of a swollen abdomen or unproductive retching.
Vaccination
Airedale Terrier vaccinations: schedule
Which vaccines does a Airedale Terrier need? Like all dogs, Airedale Terriers should receive their core vaccines from 8 weeks of age: CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. Puppies receive their initial Airedale Terrier vaccinations in several shots spaced 4 weeks apart, followed by a first booster at 1 year. Depending on their lifestyle (hunting, hiking, boarding, travel, region), your veterinarian may add vaccines against Rabies, Kennel cough, Piroplasmosis, Lyme disease and Leishmaniasis.
| Vaccine | Primary vaccination | First booster | Then | For whom? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CHPPi (core vaccine)Core Distemper, Rubarth hepatitis, parvovirosis and parainfluenza | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All animals |
LeptospirosisCore Leptospirosis (bacterium transmitted by rodent urine and stagnant water) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | All animals |
RabiesDepending on lifestyle Rabies | 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Mandatory for travel abroad, categorized dogs, most boarding kennels and shows |
Kennel coughDepending on lifestyle Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza | 8 weeks | 1 year | every year | Dogs attending boarding kennels, daycares, dog clubs and shows |
PiroplasmosisDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne babesiosis | 5 months · 6 months | 1 year | every year | Hunting dogs, dogs living in rural or wooded areas, dogs highly exposed to ticks |
Lyme diseaseDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne borreliosis | 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | Hiking dogs, hunting dogs, forest areas of the East and the Center |
LeishmaniasisDepending on lifestyle Leishmaniasis transmitted by sandflies | 6 months | 1 year and 6 months | every year | Dogs living or staying in the South of France, Corsica and the Mediterranean basin |
Adult Airedale Terrier booster shots are given annually for leptospirosis and rabies. For distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus, a booster every three years is often enough after the first booster. Your veterinarian will tailor the schedule to your dog's actual risk.
Which boosters does your Airedale Terrier need?
Enter your companion's age to see which vaccines are due now and when the next boosters are needed.
Choosing well
Adopting a healthy Airedale Terrier
Before breeding, it is recommended to check the hips and elbows of the breeding dogs and to find out about the family history. Regular veterinary examinations, combined with monitoring of weight, skin, ears and dentition, make it possible to detect problems early.
This information is for guidance only and doesn't replace advice from a veterinarian. If you have any concerns about your pet's health, consult a professional.
