Airedale Terrier

Terrier Group

Height: 23 in

Weight: 50-70 lbs

Life Span: 11-14 years

OutgoingFriendlyAlertConfident

Bedlington Terrier

Terrier Group

Height: 15-17.5 in

Weight: 17-23 lbs

Life Span: 11-16 years

AffectionateSpiritedIntelligentGood-tempered
Airedale Terrier
Bedlington Terrier
Best

Physical Traits

60% similar
Breed Group
Terrier
Terrier
Size Category
Large
Small
Height (in)
23
15-17.5
Weight (lbs)
50-70
17-23
Life Span
11-14
11-16

Personality & Temperament

Airedale Terrier

OutgoingFriendlyAlertConfidentIntelligentCourageous

"The Airedale Terrier is a friendly, courageous, and clever breed known for its bold and fearless nature. Highly affectionate with family and protective, it thrives on mental and physical stimulation, making it an engaging companion for active owners. Its playful and energetic demeanor, combined with a strong watchdog instinct, ensures it remains alert and loyal."

⚠️

Owners may face challenges with stubbornness during training due to the breed's intelligence and independent streak, as well as the need for consistent mental stimulation to prevent boredom-related behaviors.

💡

This breed is best suited for an experienced or confident owner who can provide structured training, ample exercise, and mental challenges, ideally in an active household with older children or adults.

Bedlington Terrier

AffectionateSpiritedIntelligentGood-tempered

"The Bedlington Terrier is a charming and loyal companion with a playful, frollicking spirit. Despite their gentle and affectionate demeanor, they retain a strong watchful nature and can be quite energetic, requiring both mental and physical stimulation to thrive. Their intelligence and eagerness to please make them engaging pets, though their stubborn streak may occasionally challenge training efforts."

⚠️

Owners may face challenges with stubbornness during training and the need for regular grooming to maintain their coat, as well as ensuring they are securely contained due to their strong prey drive.

💡

This breed is ideal for an active, patient owner or family who can provide consistent training, regular exercise, and enjoys a dog with a mix of affectionate and spirited energy.

Purpose & Suitability

Purpose
Hunting (rats, ducks, and big-game), versatility as a messenger, sentry, guard dog, and working dog in various roles (e.g., military, police, herding).
Ratter, varmint killer, and pit fighter
Best Suited For
Active families or individualsOwners with experience in training strong-willed breedsHomes with space for exercise and play
Active families or individuals who enjoy outdoor activities, as well as those comfortable with moderate grooming and training efforts
Training Difficulty
Moderate
Moderate
Care Difficulty
Moderate
Moderate

Coat & Appearance

🧵 Coat Type
Wiry
Curly
📏 Coat Length
Short
Medium
🎨 Colors
Black & TanGrizzle & Tan
BlueBlue & TanSandyLiver & TanLiverSandy & Tan
✨ Markings

Care & Health

Airedale Terrier

Care

Grooming
  • Airedale Terrier grooming requires minimal upkeep but benefits from regular attention
  • Weekly brushing maintains coat appearance and reduces shedding indoors
  • Mats should be gently separated by hand then combed out if found during brushing
  • Full grooming sessions—including bathing, brushing, and stripping/clipping—are recommended 3-4 times yearly
  • Owners or professional groomers can handle these sessions
  • Proper grooming may help reduce allergens for sensitive individuals.
Exercise
  • **"Airedale Terrier exercise needs: high-energy breed requires structured activity
  • daily moderate play sessions with family members
  • multiple short walks or backyard time per day
  • supervision needed during play with toddlers/smaller kids
  • rangy strength + boisterous nature demands careful handling to prevent accidents
  • structured play helps channel energy safely"**
Training
  • Airedale Terrier training guidance: obedience training is highly recommended due to size, strength, and rambunctiousness
  • basic commands like come, sit, and stay are essential
  • intelligence and family bonding make training easier but require varied sessions to prevent boredom
  • repetitive training may fail—keep sessions engaging
  • boredom from long alone periods can lead to undesirable behaviors
  • challenging toys help occupy the dog when unsupervised
Nutrition
  • Airedale Terrier nutrition guidance: feed high-quality dog food (commercial or vet-approved homemade) suited to age (puppy, adult, or senior)
  • monitor calorie intake and weight to prevent obesity, as some dogs are prone to gaining weight
  • use treats for training but limit amounts to avoid obesity
  • consult vet for safe human foods and dietary concerns
  • ensure clean, fresh water is always available
  • check with vet if unsure about diet or weight management

Health

Airedale Terriers are typically robust and healthy, but responsible breeders prioritize screening for conditions like hip dysplasia, a hip joint malformation. Regular ear cleaning is essential to prevent debris buildup and wax accumulation, while consistent teeth brushing helps maintain their oral health.

Recommended Tests:

Hip EvaluationCardiac ExamOphthalmologist Evaluation

Bedlington Terrier

Care

Grooming
  • Bedlington Terrier grooming involves maintaining its soft and harsh, non-wiry, curly coat that grows quickly and requires clipping every two months using electric clippers and scissors
  • Brushing or combing the coat once or twice a week is essential for upkeep
  • Owners can either learn to groom their Bedlington themselves or take them to a professional groomer
  • Regular nail trimming is necessary to prevent pain and mobility issues from overly long nails
  • The breed virtually does not shed, making it a low-maintenance option for owners who dislike fur around the home.
Exercise
  • Bedlington Terrier exercise needs: energetic but not hyperactive, enjoys fetch and long walks/runs but relaxes afterward
  • bred to chase small animals so needs a fenced yard and leash for walks
  • thrives with structured activities like agility, obedience, tracking, or earthdog competitions
  • moderate energy level suits active owners who balance playtime with downtime
  • playful yet content to cuddle post-exercise
  • requires consistent outdoor engagement to prevent boredom-driven behaviors
Training
  • Bedlington Terrier training requires early socialization and puppy training to harness their intelligence and eagerness to please
  • They can be stubborn, so patience and consistency are key
  • Avoid harsh training methods or physical correction, as these can provoke resistance
  • Positive reinforcement—like praise and food rewards—works best for obedience
  • Their intelligent nature responds well to engaging, reward-based techniques
  • Harsh methods risk turning training into a battle of wills instead of cooperation.
Nutrition
  • Bedlington Terrier nutrition: feed high-quality dog food (commercial or vet-approved homemade) suited to age (puppy, adult, or senior)
  • monitor calorie intake and weight to prevent obesity, limit treats to avoid excess weight gain
  • consult vet about safe human foods for dogs and dietary concerns
  • ensure constant access to clean, fresh water
  • watch for signs of weight issues and seek vet advice if needed

Health

Bedlington Terriers are typically a robust and healthy breed, but potential owners should prioritize breeders who test for genetic conditions. Key health concerns include hip and elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, von Willebrand’s disease (a blood-clotting disorder), thrombopathia, and hereditary eye disorders. Regular ear checks and daily teeth brushing are essential maintenance tasks to ensure long-term well-being.

Recommended Tests:

Patella EvaluationCardiac ExamOphthalmologist Evaluation

Trait Comparison

93% similar
💡 Compare their traits above to see differences
Affectionate With Family
Affectionate With Family for Airedale Terrier: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
Affectionate With Family for Bedlington Terrier: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
🐾 Balanced
Good With Young Children
Good With Young Children for Airedale Terrier: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
Good With Young Children for Bedlington Terrier: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
🐾 Balanced
Good With Other Dogs
Good With Other Dogs for Airedale Terrier: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
Good With Other Dogs for Bedlington Terrier: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
🐾 Balanced
Shedding Level
Shedding Level for Airedale Terrier: 1 out of 5 (Minimal Shedding)
Shedding Level for Bedlington Terrier: 1 out of 5 (Minimal Shedding)
🐾 Balanced
Coat Grooming Frequency
Coat Grooming Frequency for Airedale Terrier: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
Coat Grooming Frequency for Bedlington Terrier: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
🐾 Balanced
Drooling Level
Drooling Level for Airedale Terrier: 1 out of 5 (Rarely Drools)
Drooling Level for Bedlington Terrier: 1 out of 5 (Rarely Drools)
🐾 Balanced
Openness To Strangers
Openness To Strangers for Airedale Terrier: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
Openness To Strangers for Bedlington Terrier: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
🐾 Balanced
Playfulness Level
Playfulness Level for Airedale Terrier: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
Playfulness Level for Bedlington Terrier: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
🐾 Balanced
Watchdog/Protective Nature
Watchdog/Protective Nature for Airedale Terrier: 5 out of 5 (Highly Protective)
Watchdog/Protective Nature for Bedlington Terrier: 4 out of 5 (Moderate)
Airedale Terrier
Adaptability Level
Adaptability Level for Airedale Terrier: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
Adaptability Level for Bedlington Terrier: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
🐾 Balanced
Trainability Level
Trainability Level for Airedale Terrier: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
Trainability Level for Bedlington Terrier: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
🐾 Balanced
Energy Level
Energy Level for Airedale Terrier: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
Energy Level for Bedlington Terrier: 4 out of 5 (Moderate)
Bedlington Terrier
Barking Level
Barking Level for Airedale Terrier: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
Barking Level for Bedlington Terrier: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
🐾 Balanced
Mental Stimulation Needs
Mental Stimulation Needs for Airedale Terrier: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
Mental Stimulation Needs for Bedlington Terrier: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
🐾 Balanced

Note: Scores reflect typical breed tendencies. Individual dogs may vary based on training, environment, and genetics.

Note: Some traits may be unavailable for certain breeds due to limited or inconsistent data from recognized sources.

Common Questions

Answers to popular questions about Airedale Terrier and Bedlington Terrier.

Both breeds can be good family pets with proper socialization, though they may not be as naturally patient as some other breeds.
Both breeds have average trainability. They can learn well with consistent positive reinforcement but may have moments of stubbornness.
Yes, both breeds have a similar shedding level (1/5).
Both breeds can be suitable for first-time owners, depending on your lifestyle and dedication to training and care.

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Airedale Terrier vs Bedlington Terrier: Size, Temperament & Care Comparison