Airedales are very smart and curious.If you mind being out-witted every now and then,you might not be enchanted with them.Because they are smart they can be stubborn.So if you like a dog that you can control completely,you won’t like an Airedale.If you want a dog that lies quietly by your side and never questions your judgement,you should consider another breed.Airedales are very devoted companions but they fully expect to be an equal partner in your life and they will have opinions on how you’re running things.Airedales seem to have a sense of humour about themselves,and you had better have one too!They do not respond well to being excluded from family life and you will be asking for trouble if you expect an Airedale to be content restricted to the backyard or to a room or two in the house.

Whilst Airedales are very smart they are not always obedient.They won’t always come when you call them,especially if there is something more interesting occurring. Airedales usually feel that when they have accomplished something once,they’ve shown you how smart they are and further drills on any exercise are generally met with a less than enthusiastic response. If you throw a stick for an Airedale he is more likely to look at you as if to say “you threw it – you fetch it” than set off to retrieve it! They do not respond well at all to a heavy hand in training,efforts are most successful if they are based on praise rather than punishment. Airedales want to work with you,not for you, so your training will need to take that into account.

If you’re a neat-nik,you may object to their drippy beards after a dunk in the water dish.Also some are diggers as you might expect from a terrier.

Some people are impressed by the Airedale reputation for courage and bravery. Much of this is myth and lore,though does reflect the spirit of Airedales. Airedales are territorial making them effective watch dogs. Aggression though should never be encouraged in companion dogs and anyway an Airedale would much rather be a couch potato and your best pal.

You should be aware that some Airedales can be aggressive towards other dogs but properly socialised from a puppy should live happily in multi-dog families. Some will live perfectly happily with a cat in the same household and again early socialisation should ensure this becomes possible.

Some people decide they want an Airedale because they have heard that Airedales are a breed suitable for dog-allergic people.While this can be true for some people,there are others who display hypersensitivity to the dander of some Airedales.

Many people are drawn to Airedales because of their appearance.Well groomed,they are a truly stunning breed,but you should be aware that they require grooming.Show dogs’ coats are hand-stripped but most pet Airedales can be clipped. A totally ungroomed Airedale gets quite hairy and unkempt. Airedales should be clipped about 4-5 times a year and each clipping may cost between £35 and £50.Of course you can learn to do this yourself if you wish to invest in the necessary equipment.Most dogs learn to enjoy the attention once they get used to the process.

Other people are attracted to Airedales because they “don’t shed”. Whilst this is true in a sense it can be misleading. The Airedale coat grows to one length and dies(unlike other breeds who are constantly shedding and renewing their coats) .Once an Airedale’s coat is “blown” ie fully grown out,it tends to come out in clumps.So while you don’t have constant shedding,you still have hair that eventually has to go somewhere. Fortunately,keeping your Airedale groomed solves this problem.

Anyone considering making a home for a Shadlian puppy will be encouraged to visit us to meet our Airedales and allow them to answer any of the above that might be of concern before they make a final decision that an Airedale is right for them.

Anyone who makes a home for a Shadlian puppy can expect help and assistance if needed while ever the Airedale is in their care. Indeed we look forward to contact with our new puppies’ owners as their puppies develop into full grown Airedale Terriers.

What you can expect from us.

Be assured a Shadlian puppy will have had the best start in life to allow him or her to develop into a well adjusted lifelong companion. Puppy will have been socialised among our extended family including our grandchildren to allow him/her  to become accustomed to the often sudden movements we can expect from “the little people”. Puppy will enter into your care having been fully weaned He will have a KC registration document, pedigree certificate puppy pack, diet sheet and record of last worming. On transferring puppy into your ownership with the Kennel Club he will be insured free for four weeks.

In return we ask for a loving and caring home for our puppies.