Are Airedale Terriers Good Dogs? What Science Says

Last Updated: Nov 22, 2022

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Introduction to the Temperament of the Airedale Terrier

The are many descriptions of the temperament of the Airedale Terrier out there. However, most of these descriptions are difficult to verify or prove. They are based on mere speculations.

In this article, we will provide a factual description of the temperament of the Airedale Terrier based on solid scientific research. This will give you a better understanding of what you can expect from the Airedale Terrier breed.

We obtained our description of the temperament of Airedale Terrier by analyzing raw scientific data from The Canine Behavioral Assessment & Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) database.

The C-BARQ dog temperament standard was developed by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania. It is considered the gold standard for measuring the behavior of dogs.

Over the years, the C-BARQ study has collected data on the temperament of thousands of dogs of different breeds including the Airedale Terrier.

The C-BARQ study obtains its data by asking dog owners to score the behavior of their dogs on different behavior patterns.

The idea behind the C-BARQ study is that if it collects thousands of scores from thousands of dog owners on different aspects of dog behavior, a clear pattern will emerge on the temperament of different dog breeds.

The C-BARQ questionnaire measures 14 behavior aspects of dogs:

  1. Aggression towards stranger
  2. Aggression towards its owner
  3. Aggression towards other dogs
  4. How well they get along with other dogs
  5. Fear of strangers
  6. Fear of new things (new objects, unfamiliar loud sounds, etc)
  7. Fear of other dogs
  8. Separation anxiety
  9. Clinginess
  10. Trainability/ Stubbornness
  11. Prey drive
  12. Excitability
  13. Touch sensitivity
  14. Energy level

In this article, we will discuss the score of the Airedale Terrier for each of these 14 characteristics. This will let you know the real temperament of the Airedale Terrier.

The summary table below shows the score of the Airedale Terrier for the different behavioral characteristics.

High percentage scores close to 100 are bad. Low percentage scores close to 0 are good.

Behavior Score
Dog Directed Fear 9.7 percent
Stranger Directed Fear 9.1 percent
Energy Level 79.7 percent
Prey Drive 74.2 percent
Excitability 47.3 percent
Dog Directed Aggression 45.7 percent
Dog Rivalry 33.7 percent
Attachment Attention Seeking 28.8 percent
Stranger Directed Aggression 28.3 percent
Stubbornness 26.5 percent
Separation Related Behavior 23.0 percent
Nonsocial Fear 17.2 percent
Touch Sensitivity 16.2 percent
Owner Directed Aggression 11.5 percent

Note that with proper training, you can better your Airedale Terrier`s temperament. To learn how to properly train your Airedale Terrier, I highly recommend that you go through Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.

I learned most of the things that I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.

Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your Airedale Terrier.

See also our complete ranking of dog breeds from the `best` to the `worst` based on temperament.

Are Airedale Terriers Aggressive Towards Strangers?

Dog breeds that are aggressive to strangers show hostile responses to strangers approaching or invading the dog`s or the dog owner`s personal space, territory, or home range.

Stranger-aggressive dog breeds are quick to show aggression to unfamiliar people.

Typical signs of moderate aggression in dogs include barking, growling, and baring of teeth. More serious display of aggression generally includes snapping, lunging, biting, or attempting to bite.

Airedale Terriers are a little bit aggressive towards strangers.

This is because the Airedale Terrier ranks low for aggression towards strangers.

The Airedale Terrier ranks number 73 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards strangers.

This information is based on what 89 Airedale Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Airedale Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Airedale Terrier has a stranger-directed-aggression score of 28.3 %.

Other dog breeds that are a little bit aggressive towards strangers just like the Airedale Terrier are listed in the table below

Stranger-Directed-Aggression Rank Breed Stranger-Directed-Aggression Score
70 Pembroke Welsh Corgi 28.8 %
71 English Springer Spaniel 28.5 %
72 Rhodesian Ridgeback 28.5 %
73 Airedale Terrier 28.3 %
74 Irish Setter 28.0 %
75 Fox Terrier (Smooth) 27.9 %
76 Lagotto Romagnolo 27.7 %

The dog breeds that are most aggressive towards strangers are the:

  1. American Eskimo Dog
  2. Dachshund
  3. Miniature Pinscher
  4. Dachshund (Miniature)
  5. Miniature Schnauzer

The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards strangers are the:

  1. Siberian Husky
  2. Greyhound
  3. Irish Wolfhound
  4. Samoyed
  5. Black and Tan Coonhound

Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the most stranger-aggressive breed to the least stranger-aggressive breed.

Temperament of the Airedale Terrier

Are Airedale Terriers Aggressive Towards their Owners?

Due to human effort over the course of many centuries, the dog has become a very domestic animal. Dogs have learned to live well with humans. As a result, dogs respect and love their owners. Nevertheless, some dog breeds are less respectful to their owners than some other dog breeds.

Owner-aggressive dog breeds show threatening or hostile responses to their owner or other members of the household when challenged, manhandled, stared at, stepped over, or when approached while in possession of food, objects, or toys.

A dog that is owner-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite their owners.

Airedale Terriers are a little bit aggressive towards their owners.

This is because the Airedale Terrier ranks low for aggression towards its owner.

The Airedale Terrier ranks number 77 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards their owners.

This information is based on what 89 Airedale Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Airedale Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Airedale Terrier has an owner-directed-aggression score of 11.5 %.

Other dog breeds that are a little bit owner-aggressive just like the Airedale Terrier are listed in the table below

Owner-Directed-Aggression Rank Breed Owner-Directed-Aggression Score
74 Fox Terrier (Smooth) 11.9 %
75 Norwegian Elkhound 11.8 %
76 Whippet 11.6 %
77 Airedale Terrier 11.5 %
78 Vizsla 11.5 %
79 Havanese 11.4 %
80 Golden Retriever 11.2 %

The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards their owners are the:

  1. Pekingese
  2. Basenji
  3. Australian Silky Terrier
  4. Lhasa Apso
  5. Alaskan Husky

The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards their owners are the:

  1. Chinook
  2. Pointer
  3. Irish Water Spaniel
  4. Rhodesian Ridgeback
  5. Italian Greyhound

Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are most aggressive to their owners to the ones that are least aggressive to their owners.

Are Airedale Terriers Aggressive Towards other Dogs?

Dogs that are aggressive towards other dogs will direct aggressive threats or actions toward unknown or unfamiliar dogs.

A dog-aggressive dog will threaten or show hostile responses when approached by unfamiliar dogs

A dog that is dog-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite other dogs.

Airedale Terriers are somewhat aggressive towards other dogs.

This is because the Airedale Terrier ranks average for aggression towards other dogs.

The Airedale Terrier ranks number 62 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards other dogs.

This information is based on what 89 Airedale Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Airedale Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Airedale Terrier has a dog-directed aggression score of 45.7 %.

Other dog breeds that are somewhat dog-aggressive just like the Airedale Terrier are listed in the table below

Dog-Directed-Aggression Rank Breed Dog-Directed-Aggression Score
59 Bouvier des Flandres 47.1 %
60 Beagle 45.9 %
61 Giant Schnauzer 45.8 %
62 Airedale Terrier 45.7 %
63 Pomeranian 44.9 %
64 Belgian Tervuren 43.3 %
65 Flat-Coated Retriever 43.0 %

The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards other dogs are the:

  1. American Eskimo Dog
  2. Parson Russell Terrier
  3. Chinese Crested
  4. Pit Bull mix
  5. Dachshund

The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards other dogs are the:

  1. Pointer
  2. Black and Tan Coonhound
  3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
  4. Irish Wolfhound
  5. Keeshond

Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are most aggressive to other dogs to the ones that are least aggressive to other dogs.

Personality of the Airedale Terrier

Are Airedale Terriers Afraid of Strangers?

Some dogs breeds tend to be fearful of strangers.

Dogs that are fearful of strangers will avoid strangers. These dogs will crouch, cringe, or tremble when approached by strangers.

Extreme fear in dogs is characterized by serious attempts to escape or hide from the feared stranger.

Airedale Terriers are not fearful of strangers.

This is because the Airedale Terrier ranks very low for fear of strangers.

The Airedale Terrier ranks number 113 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of strangers.

This information is based on what 89 Airedale Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Airedale Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Airedale Terrier has a stranger-directed-fear score of 9.1 %.

Other dog breeds that are not stranger-fearful just like the Airedale Terrier are listed in the table below

Stranger-Directed-Fear Rank Breed Stranger-Directed-Fear Score
110 Fox Terrier (Smooth) 9.8 %
111 Flat-Coated Retriever 9.5 %
112 Staffordshire Bull Terrier 9.2 %
113 Airedale Terrier 9.1 %
114 Golden Retriever 8.8 %
115 Portuguese Water Dog 8.2 %
116 French Bulldog 7.7 %

The dog breeds that show the most fear of strangers are the:

  1. Dachshund (Miniature)
  2. Chinese Crested
  3. American Eskimo Dog
  4. Italian Greyhound
  5. Chihuahua

The dog breeds that are least fearful of strangers are the:

  1. Old English Sheepdog
  2. Irish Wolfhound
  3. Norwegian Elkhound
  4. Siberian Husky
  5. Giant Schnauzer

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are most fearful of strangers to the ones that are least fearful to strangers.

Are Airedale Terriers Afraid of Other Dogs?

Some dogs breeds tend to show fear when an unfamiliar dog approaches them.

A dog that is fearful of other dogs will try to avoid meeting other dogs.

Airedale Terriers are not fearful of other dogs.

This is because the Airedale Terrier ranks very low for fear of other dogs.

The Airedale Terrier ranks number 118 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of other dogs.

This information is based on what 89 Airedale Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Airedale Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Airedale Terrier has a dog-directed-fear score of 9.7 %.

Other dog breeds that are not other-dog-fearful just like the Airedale Terrier are listed in the table below

Dog-Directed-Fear Rank Breed Dog-Directed-Fear Score
115 Anatolian Shepherd 12.8 %
116 Dingo 12.2 %
117 Collie 11.4 %
118 Airedale Terrier 9.7 %
119 Pointer 9.7 %
120 Borzoi 8.4 %
121 Kuvasz 8.4 %

The dog breeds that are most fearful of other dogs are the:

  1. Dachshund (Miniature)
  2. Fox Terrier (Toy)
  3. Chinese Crested
  4. Chihuahua
  5. Lhasa Apso

The dog breeds that are least fearful of other dogs are the:

  1. Giant Schnauzer
  2. Ibizan Hound
  3. Eurasier
  4. Kuvasz
  5. Borzoi

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are most fearful of other dogs to the ones that are least fearful of other dogs.

Is the Airedale Terrier a good pet

Do Airedale Terriers Have Non-Social Fears?

Dogs that are fearful of sudden or loud noises, traffic, and unfamiliar objects and situations are said to exhibit nonsocial fear.

Airedale Terriers are not fearful of unfamiliar sounds, situations, and objects.

This is because the Airedale Terrier ranks very low for non-social fear.

The Airedale Terrier ranks number 101 out of 124 dog breeds for being fearful of unfamiliar things and situations.

This information is based on what 89 Airedale Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Airedale Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Airedale Terrier has a nonsocial-fear score of 17.2 %.

Other dog breeds that are not nonsocial-fearful just like the Airedale Terrier are listed in the table below

Nonsocial-Fear Rank Breed Nonsocial-Fear Score
98 Collie 17.7 %
99 Irish Water Spaniel 17.6 %
100 Basset Hound 17.5 %
101 Airedale Terrier 17.2 %
102 Anatolian Shepherd 16.5 %
103 Bull Terrier 15.7 %
104 Bouvier des Flandres 15.2 %

The dog breeds that are most fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:

  1. Australian Silky Terrier
  2. Dingo
  3. Fox Terrier (Smooth)
  4. English Bulldog
  5. Italian Greyhound

The dog breeds that are least fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:

  1. Giant Schnauzer
  2. Siberian Husky
  3. Irish Setter
  4. Kuvasz
  5. Borzoi

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are most fearful of unfamiliar situations to the ones least fearful of unfamiliar situations.

Do Airedale Terriers Get Along Well With Other Dogs?

Some dog breeds display high dog rivalry. These dog breeds will threaten or act hostile to other familiar dogs in the same household.

These dog breeds will compete with other dogs. Also, these dog breeds do not get along well with other dogs.

Airedale Terriers are a little bit competitive when dealing with other dogs.

This is because the Airedale Terrier ranks low on dog rivalry.

The Airedale Terrier ranks number 75 out of 124 dog breeds for displaying dog rivalry when dealing with familiar dogs.

This information is based on what 89 Airedale Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Airedale Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Airedale Terrier has a dog-rivalry score of 33.7 %.

Other dog breeds that are a little bit competition-driven just like the Airedale Terrier are listed in the table below

Dog-Rivalry Rank Breed Dog-Rivalry Score
72 Siberian Husky 34.2 %
73 English Setter 34.1 %
74 Great Pyrenees 34.0 %
75 Airedale Terrier 33.7 %
76 Chow Chow 33.4 %
77 Belgian Tervuren 33.3 %
78 Doberman Pinscher 33.1 %

The dog breeds that do not get along well with other dogs are the:

  1. Miniature Pinscher
  2. Parson Russell Terrier
  3. Fox Terrier (Smooth)
  4. French Bulldog
  5. Treeing Walker Coonhound

The dog breeds that get along well with other dogs are the:

  1. Chinook
  2. Saint Bernard
  3. Norwegian Elkhound
  4. Italian Greyhound
  5. Scottish Terrier

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how well they get along with other dog breeds.

The Airedale Terrier. Is it aggressive?

Are Airedale Terriers Easy to Train?

Dogs have high trainability have the willingness to listen to their owner. These dogs are not stubborn. These dogs obey simple commands, and they learn very quickly.

Highly trainable dogs excel at fetching objects. They also respond positively to correction and ignore distraction.

Airedale Terriers are quite a bit easy to train.

This is because the Airedale Terrier ranks high for trainability.

The Airedale Terrier ranks number 44 out of 124 dog breeds for easiness to train.

This information is based on what 89 Airedale Terrier owners reported on the trainability of their Airedale Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Airedale Terrier has a trainability score of 73.5 %.

Other dog breeds that are quite a bit easy to train just like the Airedale Terrier are listed in the table below

Trainability Rank Breed Trainability Score
41 Newfoundland 75.1 %
42 Havanese 74.7 %
43 Anatolian Shepherd 73.6 %
44 Airedale Terrier 73.5 %
45 American Pit Bull Terrier 73.3 %
46 Rat Terrier 72.6 %
47 Boxer 72.3 %

The dog breeds that are most easy to train are the:

  1. Belgian Tervuren
  2. Belgian Malinois
  3. Border Collie
  4. Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
  5. Irish Water Spaniel

The dog breeds that are difficult to train are the:

  1. Dingo
  2. Treeing Walker Coonhound
  3. Basenji
  4. Afghan Hound
  5. Pekingese

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are easiest to train to the ones that are most difficult to train.

Learn more about how intelligent the Airedale Terrier is and how the intelligence of the Airedale Terrier affects its trainability in this article on how smart the Airedale Terrier is.

Do Airedale Terriers Get Along Well with Cats? Do They Get Along Well with Other Pets?

Dog breeds that have high chase-drive will run after (chase) cats, birds, and/or other small animals, given the opportunity.

Airedale Terriers are very much into chasing after other smaller pets like cats, squirrels, chickens, and birds.

This is because the Airedale Terrier ranks very high for small-pet-chasing.

The Airedale Terrier ranks number 16 out of 124 dog breeds for chasing after smaller pets.

This information is based on what 89 Airedale Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Airedale Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Airedale Terrier has a chasing score of 74.2 %.

Other dog breeds that are very much into chasing after smaller pets just like the Airedale Terrier are listed in the table below

Chasing Rank Breed Chasing Score
13 Afghan Hound 75.1 %
14 Shiba Inu 75.0 %
15 Fox Terrier (Wire/Wire-haired) 74.4 %
16 Airedale Terrier 74.2 %
17 Brittany 73.2 %
18 Fox Terrier (Smooth) 72.2 %
19 Siberian Husky 71.3 %

The dog breeds that like chasing after cats and other smaller pets are the:

  1. Basenji
  2. Dingo
  3. Ibizan Hound
  4. Parson Russell Terrier
  5. Borzoi

The dog breeds that will not chase after cats and other smaller pets are the:

  1. Pug
  2. Bulldog
  3. Shih Tzu
  4. Bernese Mountain Dog
  5. Great Pyrenees

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their prey drive.

Things to know before getting the Airedale Terrier

Do Airedale Terriers Like Attention? Are they Clingy or Aloof?

Some dog breeds like to stay close to their owners all the time. These dogs like attention, and they like to receive the affection of their owners.

These dogs get jealous when their owners give attention to other dogs or other people instead of them.

Dogs with these traits are described as attachment/attention-seeking.

Airedale Terriers are not attachment/attention-seeking.

This is because the Airedale Terrier ranks very low for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.

The Airedale Terrier ranks number 105 out of 124 dog breeds for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.

This information is based on what 89 Airedale Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Airedale Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Airedale Terrier has an attachment/attention-seeking score of 28.8 %.

Other dog breeds that are not attachment/attention-seeking just like the Airedale Terrier are listed in the table below

Attachment-Attention-Seeking Rank Breed Attachment-Attention-Seeking Score
102 Rhodesian Ridgeback 31.7 %
103 Ibizan Hound 29.4 %
104 Chinook 29.4 %
105 Airedale Terrier 28.8 %
106 Tibetan Terrier 28.3 %
107 Black and Tan Coonhound 27.9 %
108 Akita 27.8 %

The dog breeds that are always seeking the attention of their owners are the:

  1. Poodle (Toy)
  2. Fox Terrier (Toy)
  3. Australian Silky Terrier
  4. Australian Cattle Dog
  5. American Eskimo Dog

The dog breeds that are aloof are the:

  1. Norwegian Elkhound
  2. Borzoi
  3. Kuvasz
  4. English Setter
  5. Chow Chow

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their clinginess.

Do Airedale Terriers have Separation Anxiety? Do They Like to be Left Alone?

Dog breeds that have separation anxiety do not like to be left alone.

These dog breeds tend to bark and destroy things when separated from their owners.

They become restless or lose their appetite when left alone.

Airedale Terriers are not prone to developing separation anxiety.

This is because the Airedale Terrier ranks very low for separation anxiety relative to other dog breeds.

The Airedale Terrier ranks number 104 out of 124 dog breeds for separation anxiety.

This information is based on what 89 Airedale Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Airedale Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Airedale Terrier has a separation anxiety score of 23.0 %.

Other dog breeds that are not prone to develop separation anxiety just like the Airedale Terrier are listed in the table below

Separation-Related-Behavior Rank Breed Separation-Related-Behavior Score
101 Bulldog 23.6 %
102 Belgian Tervuren 23.3 %
103 Gordon Setter 23.1 %
104 Airedale Terrier 23.0 %
105 Irish Water Spaniel 21.8 %
106 Irish Setter 20.7 %
107 Cairn Terrier 17.9 %

The dog breeds that are most prone to develop separation anxiety are listed below. These dog breeds do not like to be left alone. These dog breeds are the:

  1. Treeing Walker Coonhound
  2. Fox Terrier (Smooth)
  3. Chinese Crested
  4. Miniature Pinscher
  5. Australian Silky Terrier

The dog breeds that are least prone to develop separation anxiety are the:

  1. Kuvasz
  2. Borzoi
  3. Giant Schnauzer
  4. Eurasier
  5. Bernese Mountain Dog

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their tendency to develop separation anxiety.

Temperament Profile of the Airedale Terrier

Are Airedale Terriers Touch Sensitive? Do They Like to be Groomed?

Dogs that are touch-sensitive are fearful of `painful` procedures such as bathing, grooming, nail clipping, and veterinary examinations.

These dogs do not like going through these `painful` procedures, and they will react to show they do not like the procedure.

Airedale Terriers are not touch-sensitive.

This is because the Airedale Terrier ranks very low for touch sensitivity.

The Airedale Terrier ranks number 110 out of 124 dog breeds for touch sensitivity.

This information is based on what 89 Airedale Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Airedale Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Airedale Terrier has a touch-sensitivity score of 16.2 %.

Other dog breeds that are not touch-sensitive just like the Airedale Terrier are listed in the table below

Touch-Sensitivity Rank Breed Touch-Sensitivity Score
107 Rottweiler 16.8 %
108 Irish Wolfhound 16.6 %
109 Akita 16.4 %
110 Airedale Terrier 16.2 %
111 Chinook 15.8 %
112 Boxer 15.4 %
113 Poodle (Standard) 15.4 %

The dog breeds that are most touch-sensitive are the:

  1. Fox Terrier (Toy)
  2. Miniature Pinscher
  3. Pekingese
  4. Australian Silky Terrier
  5. Chihuahua

The dog breeds that are least touch-sensitive are the:

  1. Kuvasz
  2. Borzoi
  3. Pointer
  4. Gordon Setter
  5. Portuguese Water Dog

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their sensitivity to touch.

Are Airedale Terriers Hyper? Are they Highly Excitable?

Excitable dog or hyper dog breeds display strong reactions to potentially exciting or arousing events, such as:

  • going for walks
  • car trips
  • sound of the doorbell
  • arrival of visitors, and
  • the owner arriving home

Highly excitable dog breeds have difficulty settling down after arousal.

Airedale Terriers are somewhat hyper (excitable).

This is because the Airedale Terrier ranks average for excitability.

The Airedale Terrier ranks number 53 out of 124 dog breeds for excitability.

This information is based on what 89 Airedale Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Airedale Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Airedale Terrier has an excitability score of 47.3 %.

Other dog breeds that are somewhat excitable just like the Airedale Terrier are listed in the table below

Excitability Rank Breed Excitability Score
50 Pointer 49.0 %
51 Australian Shepherd 47.5 %
52 Saint Bernard 47.3 %
53 Airedale Terrier 47.3 %
54 English Springer Spaniel 47.2 %
55 Dachshund (Miniature) 47.1 %
56 Flat-Coated Retriever 46.7 %

The dog breeds that are most hyper (excitable) are the:

  1. Australian Silky Terrier
  2. Fox Terrier (Smooth)
  3. American Eskimo Dog
  4. Parson Russell Terrier
  5. Miniature Schnauzer

The dog breeds that are least hyper (excitable) are the:

  1. Borzoi
  2. Samoyed
  3. Great Pyrenees
  4. Italian Greyhound
  5. Anatolian Shepherd

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how hyper they are.

The Airedale Terrier

Are Airedale Terriers Playful? What is the Energy Level of Airedale Terriers

Energetic dog breeds are very playful dog breeds. These are the dog breeds that do not get tired easily.

Airedale Terriers are very much energetic.

This is because the Airedale Terrier ranks very high for energy level.

The Airedale Terrier ranks number 10 out of 124 dog breeds for energy level.

This information is based on what 89 Airedale Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Airedale Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Airedale Terrier has an energy-level score of 79.7 %.

Other dog breeds that are very much energetic just like the Airedale Terrier are listed in the table below

Energy-Level Rank Breed Energy-Level Score
7 Pit Bull mix 81.0 %
8 Cardigan Welsh Corgi 80.9 %
9 Brittany 80.0 %
10 Airedale Terrier 79.7 %
11 Jack Russell Terrier 79.1 %
12 Fox Terrier (Smooth) 79.0 %
13 Dingo 78.5 %

The dog breeds that are most playful and most energetic are the:

  1. Belgian Malinois
  2. Belgian Tervuren
  3. Fox Terrier (Toy)
  4. German Shorthaired Pointer
  5. Ibizan Hound

The dog breeds that are laziest are the:

  1. Kuvasz
  2. Anatolian Shepherd
  3. Greyhound
  4. Great Pyrenees
  5. Pekingese

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the most energetic to the least energetic.

Conclusion on Airedale Terrier Temperament

The temperament of your Airedale Terrier comes from a combination of its genetics and what environment your Airedale Terrier is exposed to.

You cannot change your Airedale Terrier`s gene but you can change the things you expose your Airedale Terrier to.

Exposing your Airedale Terrier to dog training sessions early in its life can help you mold the temperament of your Airedale Terrier to what you desire.

Again, with proper training, you can better your Airedale Terrier`s temperament. To learn how to properly train a dog, I highly recommend Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.

I learned most of the things I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.

Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your Airedale Terrier.

If you think the Airedale Terrier is the right dog breed for you, see our article on how much Airedale Terriers cost and Airedale Terrier puppy buying guide.

Also, see our list of reputable Airedale Terrier breeders in the United States and the prices of their Airedale Terrier puppies.