When comparing the Welsh Terrier vs Airedale Terrier, it can be difficult to tell them apart. These intelligent working dogs make loyal pets, with a lot of energy and love to give. At first glance, they may look identical, but there are differences.
If you can’t decide which is the right Terrier for you, keep on reading! We’re weighing up these two breeds and sharing the canine contrasts concerning — size, price, trainability, grooming requirements, and exercise needs.
Welsh Terrier vs Airedale Contents
Welsh Terrier vs Airedale Comparison Chart
Welsh Terrier and Airedale — The Breeds
Welsh Terrier vs Airedale — Size
Welsh Terrier vs Airedale — Temperament
Welsh Terrier vs Airedale — Training
Welsh Terrier vs Airedale Price
Welsh Terrier vs Airedale — Shedding
Welsh Terrier vs Airedale — Grooming Requirements
Welsh Terrier
Airedale
Temperament
Intelligent
Affectionate
Spirited
Alert
Energetic
Confident
Playful
Courageous
Clever
Friendly
Intelligent
Hard-working
Loyal
Protective
Patient
Bold
Determined
Family Dog
Yes
Yes
Height
15 inches
23 inches
Weight
20 pounds
50-70 pounds
Cost
$600-$1000
$800-$1500
Hypoallergenic
Yes
Yes
Lifespan
12-15 years
11-14 years
Coat Colors
Black, tan, gray, combination
Black, tan, gray, combination
Trainability
Relatively easy to train - Training can be challenging if obedience and behavioral training isn’t undertaken early on in puppyhood.
Moderate - highly intelligent. Can become bored with repetitive training methods.
As the name suggests, the Welsh Terrier originates from Wales in the UK. These dogs date back to the 1700s and are descendants of the Black and Tan English Terrier. This Terrier was developed to hunt foxes, badgers, and otters. Thanks to their hunting background, Welsh Terriers are brave bow-wows with a strong prey drive.
Welsh Terriers are also cute and cuddly. These dogs have a wiry double coat, which looks wooly and grows to a medium length. The Welsh Terrier’s beard is their trademark feature, as well as their black and tan coat.
Is the Welsh Terrier for Me?
This breed makes a loving family pet that doubles as a protective watchdog. Thanks to their high-energy, Welsh Terriers are great playmates for older children! Plus, this alert Terrier is an ideal walking companion — they enjoy spending as much time as possible outdoors.
And, Welsh Terriers are hypoallergenic, so they won’t exacerbate or trigger allergy symptoms.
But, this breed isn’t ideal for first-time dog owners, they require an experienced handler who understands how important training is. Additionally, with their propensity to chase, they may not be the best if you have cats or other small pets.
Pros
- Hypoallergenic coat.
- Low-maintenance grooming needs.
- Friendly and protective family dog.
Cons
- Strong prey drive.
- Can misbehave when bored.
- Needs plenty of exercise to stay happy.
The Airedale is another Terrier of British heritage. Like the Welsh, the Airedale is a descendant of the English Black and Tan Terrier. The mighty Airedale is the largest of the Terrier breeds, often known as the ‘King’ of the Terriers.
Airedales were bred to hunt rats and ducks but have also been used to hunt larger game. As working dogs, the Airedale is bursting with energy and needs lots of mental and physical stimulation to avoid boredom.
These large Terriers are highly intelligent and easy to train. It won’t take long for your Airedale to learn new tricks and commands. However, be warned, Airedales can be strong-willed — so keep training exciting to keep them engaged.
Is the Airedale for Me?
Airedales are working dogs from the 1800s and require thorough training, so are better suited to pet parents with previous doggy experience. They’re also a good fit for owners with an active lifestyle.
However, these dogs get on well with people of all ages and can be trained to live harmoniously with other animals.
And, while Airedales enjoy spending most of their time with their owners, they’re unlikely to struggle with separation anxiety — perfect for those 9 to 5ers. But, bear in mind, these brainy bow-wows can become bored and naughty if left with nothing to do.
Pros
- Low-shedding coat.
- Highly intelligent.
- Friendly and playful personality.
Cons
- Stubborn and strong-willed at times.
- Needs at least 2 hours of exercise a day.
- Not suited for small living spaces.
Welsh Terrier vs Airedale — Size
Stand these two side-by-side, and one difference is clear — size. The Airedale is the largest of all Terrier breeds and thus is significantly larger than the Welsh.
When comparing a full grown Welsh Terrier vs Airedale, the Airedale wins by several pounds and inches.
- Airedales weigh anywhere between 50 and 70 pounds and reach around 23 inches tall. These dogs are considered medium-sized.
- The Welsh grows to approximately 15 inches. These small-sized Terriers only weigh up to 20 pounds, much less than their Terrier cousin.
Welsh Terrier vs Airedale — Temperament
Both are working Terrier dogs. Hence the Airedale and Welsh Terrier share a very similar temperament. Whichever you choose, they will make a loyal and affectionate pet.
Behavior
The Airedale and Welsh Terrier are both friendly pooches that enjoy spending as much time as possible with their humans. Both of these breeds are alert and playful, they require plenty of stimulation to stop them from becoming bored and mischievous.
The Welsh and Airedale have the typical Terrier personality, they’re confident and lively with the occasional stubborn moment. An entertained and stimulated Terrier is a happy and well-behaved bow-wow.
Separation Anxiety
If you’re fond of the Welsh Terrier and Airedale, you’ll be pleased to learn that these breeds are not prone to separation anxiety. Both are highly intelligent and independent, so are unlikely to pine and bark in your absence.
However, if boredom kicks in while you’re out, they may become destructive and misbehave to pass the time. Be sure to leave your pooch plenty of stimulating toys to play with.
Welsh Terrier
Despite their brain power, Welsh Terriers can be challenging to train. Their high intelligence and independent side means they can quickly lose interest.
Hence, keep sessions short and varied and packed full of fun. Have plenty of doggy treats to hand, and be sure to pile on the praise.
Airedale
Airedales were originally bred to hunt, herd, and guard, and their intelligence means they can pick up new commands quickly. Your Airedale may be headstrong at times, so you’ll need plenty of patience to successfully train them.
Boredom is also an issue with these dogs, make sure training is engaging and exciting to keep your pooch interested.
There are several Terrier breeds, and prices vary significantly between them all. In this comparison, the Welsh Terrier is more budget-friendly.
- Welsh Terriers cost approximately $600 to $1000.
- An Airedale puppy can cost anywhere between $800 and $1500.
If you want to keep costs down, you could look at adopting a hypoallergenic dog. More often than not, dog center adoption fees are much less than buying a puppy from a private breeder.
Dog shedding can be a big problem, especially for people with dog allergies. However, both the Welsh Terrier and Airedale are hypoallergenic and low-shedding breeds.
These dogs have the same double coat with a wiry texture, most commonly black and tan. As milder shedders, both the Welsh Terrier and Airedale can live in harmony with allergy sufferers.
Neither breed will scatter fur all over your house, but if you want to be on the safe side, the Airedale sheds marginally less than the Welsh Terrier.
You may notice your dog sheds a little more during the spring and winter, but it’s negligible and can easily be kept under control with regular brushing.
Like many Terrier dogs, the Airedale and Welsh Terrier are low maintenance when it comes to grooming.
Brushing
Airedales and Welsh Terriers need to be brushed approximately once a week. This keeps your dog’s fur in good condition and also helps to release any shed hair that’s become trapped in their double coat.
Bathing
These doggys won’t need a dip in the tub every week. You only need to bathe them once every 3 months or so, that’s just around four baths a year. When you wash your Welsh or Airedale, remember to use a dog-friendly shampoo and brush their coat before they get in the bath.
After bathtime, your bow-wow will have a shiny coat, and any dead hairs should have been washed away.
Grooming
The Airedale and Welsh Terrier are very low maintenance and won’t cost you a fortune in regular grooming bills. These dogs only need to have their fur clipped every few months or so, and their coat will only need to be stripped when shedding season is approaching.
Whether you have an Airedale or a Welsh Terrier, they will need their nails clipped approximately once a month.
Teeth
Dogs need to keep their teeth clean and healthy, just like us humans!
Airedales are prone to dental issues. You’ll need to clean their teeth three times a week to ensure good oral hygiene.
Welsh Terriers also need their teeth brushed regularly — two or three times a week is often enough.
As mentioned, traditionally, the Welsh and Airedale Terriers were bred for working and trained for tasks that require a lot of energy. These breeds aren’t your typical lounging hypoallergenic lap dogs.
Welsh Terrier
Requires at least an hour of exercise every day.
As well as long walks, the Welsh needs lots of time to play and run around in the garden. And, prey-driven Welsh Terriers may be unable to resist chasing other animals on your walks — keep that in mind.
Airedale
Airedales are larger dogs and are the more energetic of the two breeds. To keep your Airedale healthy and physically stimulated, walk your pooch for around 2 hours every day.
Conclusion
Loyal, playful, friendly, and energetic. These Terriers are affectionate with their owners and possess protective, watchdog instincts. Plus, the Welsh Terrier and Airedale are hypoallergenic with very similar coat types.
However, the swiftest way to tell these breeds apart is their size. Airedales are the King of the Terriers and are much larger than the Welsh.
It’s clear — when looking at the Welsh Terrier vs Airedale, these dogs have more in common than you may think. To find out all the finer details, why not take a look at our Welsh Terrier and Airedale full-breed profiles.
Are Airedale Terriers Aggressive Dogs?
Airedales need to be socialized early on to avoid becoming aggressive with other dogs and strangers when feeling threatened. As traditional hunting dogs, they’re alert and fearless. However, if well-trained, it shouldn’t be an issue.
Is a Welsh Terrier a Good Family Dog?
Yes, Welsh Terriers make loving family pets. This breed gets on well with children and if socialized from a young age, will get on well with other dogs. However, they do have a strong prey drive, meaning that cats and other small pets may not mix well. Welsh Terriers are playful and energetic and bring lots of fun to the family home.
Do Airedales Bark a Lot?
Airedales are not known for being excessive barkers. However, if your Airedale becomes bored or isn’t getting enough exercise, they may bark more than usual. Terriers are known for being yappy, but this breed rarely barks enough for it to be a problem.
Are Welsh Terriers Related to Airedales?
They share the same heritage. In that, both the Airedale and Welsh Terrier descend from the old English Black and Tan Terrier breed. Hence, the similar appearance and coat type.
Can Welsh Terriers Be Left Alone?
Welsh Terriers can be left alone for several hours. However, this breed can become bored and needs plenty of stimulation — toys, chew bones, etc., while you’re gone.
