Have you ever wondered why your black pants have suddenly gained brown strands of hair after cuddling with your Airedale Terrier? You’re not alone. Many owners of this high-spirited terrier often ask themselves: “Does my Airedale shed a lot?”
Well, surprise, surprise. That elegant-looking coat of an Airedale Terrier is not just an eye candy. It’s a clever disguise. Despite the dense and wiry hair, these dogs are considered a low-shedding breed! They do shed, of course, all dogs do, but not in the same quantity as your typical fur bomber.
Now picture this, you’re enjoying a quiet Sunday at home when suddenly, the sunlight streaming in from your living room window reveals what seems to be an invisible wave of hair hovering in the air around your pooch. It’s a sight that will make anyone consider whether they have a pet Airedale Terrier or a small, personal wool factory.
The shedding of dogs is as normal as the falling of leaves from trees in autumn. And just like how the trees don’t become completely bald, your Airedale isn’t going to turn nude either. The real question you should be asking is, “Why is my Airedale shedding and what can I do about it?” Enjoy this whirlwind tour in the world of Airedales and their uber-cool fur fact!
Airedale Terriers, dubbed as the “King of Terriers,” are the largest among the terrier breeds. Deservedly so, since they are not only renowned for their size but also their unique coat. They are covered in dense, wiry fur with a softer undercoat. This coat reflects their breed’s history as a versatile working dog from the Aire Valley of England, thus their name ‘Airedale’.
This wiry coat not only provides a cushion against the elements but also minimizes shedding. It’s a trait common in many breeds grouped as “hypoallergenic”. But before you get too excited, remember there’s no such thing as a completely hypoallergenic dog. However, Airedales are as allergen-friendly as you can get, making them a great choice for folks who sneeze at the sight of fur hurricanes but still crave a loyal canine companion’s love.
“Wait, hypoallergenic? Does that mean my Airedale won’t shed?” A bit of wishful thinking there, but let me set the record straight.
Airedales have what is known as a double coat where they possess a layer of soft & fluffy fur underneath the coarser exterior. This dual quality allows them to adapt to varying weather conditions. But wait, there’s more! This double-coat does a spectacular job of trapping most of the loose hair, making an Airedale seem like they’re “non-shedding”. It’s like the undercoat decides to hold a house party for loose hairs before they decide to venture out.
But they also have their ‘blow out’ seasons, usually during spring and fall, when you might see a noticeable increase in the amount of fur your Airedale Terrier sheds. During this time, they are simply changing their wardrobe – ditching their winter undercoat for a nifty summer one, and vice versa.
Take a moment and rejoice! With an Airedale in your life, you’re now free from the worry of waking up to find white hair decorating your dark-colored clothes. However, it would help if you didn’t let this miracle wardrobe fool you. Low shedding doesn’t mean no grooming.
Just like you wouldn’t forget to brush your hair (unless you’re going for the disheveled look) – an Airedale needs regular grooming to keep its fur fabulous. Brushing it down at least once a week would prevent your home from turning into a fur fest. This also has a roll-on effect of ensuring the natural oils in their fur are evenly distributed, keeping it in top form. Praise-worthy benefits for a few minutes of brushing, isn’t it?
When we talk about brushing, we mean a good, thorough operation involving the right tools such as a slicker brush. These brushes have fine, short wires close together that can help trap loose fur, meaning more fur in the brush and less on your floor.
Finally, one more thing – don’t forget a good bath schedule. Baths help flush out any stray hair lurking in their coat. A bath every 4-6 weeks, or whenever your terrier gets into a dirt adventure, is perfect.
Now that you are familiar with your Airedale Terrier’s shedding pattern, you wouldn’t misjudge their furry wardrobe as a shedding epidemic. Instead, you’ll realize it’s just the normal functioning of their unique coat that’s a cushion against the elements, a seasonal wardrobe, and a loose hair trap.
Sure, you might still occasionally find a few Airedale hairs on your favorite little black dress, but it would be no match to the fur cyclone you’d experience with certain heavily shedding breeds. That’s the beauty of owning an Airedale – a tiny bit of fur tied up with a truckload of companionship.
So, the next time you see hair strands flying around your Airedale Terrier, remember, it’s just a part of the magic called the Airedale way of life. Embrace it and enjoy the companionship of your minimally-shedding, maximum-loving Airedale Terrier!
