How to Groom an Airedale Terrier

By eHow Pets Editor

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

Slicker brush
Pin brush
Metal combs
Scissors
Clippers
Thinning shears

Step 1:
Brush with slicker brushes, pin brushes and metal combs to keep the coat under control, especially for those Airedales with softer coats. These tend to get matted and tangled much more easily than those of dogs with more fibrous coats. If you hand strip your Airedale Terrier, he should shed very little or no hair, but if the coat is kept fairly long, he may shed a lot.
Step 2:
Pluck the hair at least twice per year. You may need to consult a professional groomer about the best way to do this. If you have a show dog, it requires more grooming to be up to standard. If you wish to have the dog hand stripped, make sure the person doing it is very skilled. This is a technique that not many are well versed in. For non-show dogs, scissors and clippers are fine for styling.
Step 3:
Trim stray hairs between the pads of the feet if they become excessive. These hairs cause dirt and grime to collect on the bottoms of the dog's feet.
Step 4:
Use thinning shears to clean up any stray hairs that remain on the body.
Step 5:
Check the coat and beard constantly for burrs and other objects which may get stuck and become harmful.

Tips & Warnings

Airedale Terriers have a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years.
Some Airedales are afflicted with eye problems, hip dysphasia and skin infections. For dry skin, feed your dog an adjusted omega-6/omega-3 fatty acid diet. Ask your veterinarian for advice in specific cases.

More Puppy Pages

How to Groom a Havanese

Originally from Cuba, the Havanese are the descendants of a now-extinct breed called Blanquito de la Habana. Breeders crossed these dogs with French and German Poodles to create the modern day Havanese. Only as recently as the 1970s did the American...

How to Groom a West Highland White Terrier

West Highland White Terriers, or Westies, are cute, doe-eyed little dogs with confidence in abundance. They have a thick but short white coat that generally has a coarse texture. They have dark, expressive eyes which are set fairly far back in the head...

Cairn terriers are energetic, fox-like little dogs with a mischievous streak. They have the spirit and tenacity of dogs two or three times their size and are bold and fearless to boot. This breed requires a weekly interval of general grooming, and a full...

These large, square-profiled dogs are impressive physically, ranging in height from 22 to 28 inches. Despite their size, Bouviers des Flandres are often good with children and can be great family pets. They are extremely loyal and friendly, but tend to...

The Airedale terrier is a great dog for a family with children and other pets. These dogs are affectionate and protective with children and are very good watchdogs. Airedales need early socialization with other dogs, as they can be dominant toward them.