Wire Fox Terrier vs. Airedale Terrier: 4 Key Differences

The wire fox terrier and airedale terrier are both terrier breeds, so they have many similarities. In fact, they are sometimes confused for each other due to their similarities. However, they are far from the same breed and have many differences. Just because one of these breeds works for a family doesn’t mean both of them will.

Choosing between them is important if you’re looking for an active terrier breed.

Below, we’ll take a deep dive into these differences so that, hopefully, you can select the best dog for you.

Wire Fox Terrier vs. Airedale Terrier: Appearance

Wire fox terriers are generally smaller than the airedale – by quite a bit. They only weigh around 15 to 18 pounds and stand somewhere from 13 to 16 inches at the shoulder. However, airedale terriers can reach up to 65 pounds, though females do tend to be smaller than males. They can reach up to 23 inches, making them nearly twice as big as the wire fox terrier.

These dogs do have very similar coats. They’re both rather wiry. However, the airedale terrier is often described as having a thicker coat. It may need more extensive grooming to prevent mats and tangles. The airedale also has a coarse coat, while the wire fox terrier’s may be softer.

That said, these dogs both require grooming to prevent mats, so don’t purchase a wire fox terrier with the assumption that grooming needs will be substantially smaller.

Wire fox terriers tend to be white with black or tan markings. However, airedale terriers come in a wider variety of colors, such as black and tan, brown and tan, and grizzle. Of course, some of these colors are rarer than others

Wire Fox Terrier vs. Airedale Terrier: Temperament

Both of these breeds should be considered high-energy dogs. Therefore, they need tons of exercise. Both work best for more active families, as they can be a bit much for more laidback households.

However, the airedale terrier is typically considered more intelligent than the wire fox terrier. They tend to have more of a retriever’s intelligence, as they were originally bred for hunting all sorts of different animals. The wire fox terrier has a typical terrier personality, which means that they’re fearless and playful. While they are smart in their own way, they aren’t nearly as intelligent as an airedale terrier.

Both breeds can be trained with patience and the correct techniques. However, airedale terriers are often more trainable than wire fox terriers just because they were bred to be trainable. Both breeds are incredibly stubborn, though, so it’s important to start training early and lean on positive reinforcement to teach your dog properly.

Airedale terriers and wire fox terriers are both people-oriented, social breeds. They bond strongly with their owners and can get along great with children. However, airedale terriers may be a bit more aloof with strangers and take longer to warm up, which may be partially accounted for due to their higher intelligence.

Wire Fox Terrier vs. Airedale Terrier: Care

Both of these dog breeds require quite a bit of care, though how they require care does differ somewhat. Both breeds need regular grooming, including brushing and trimming their nails. However, an airedale’s coat is a bit thicker and longer, so it typically requires more brushing than a wire fox terrier.

You should plan to exercise both breeds considerably. They are high-energy breeds like most terriers, as we have discussed above. However, airedales can be a bit harder to exercise due to their larger size. You’ll have to walk more miles with an airedale than a wire fox terrier, simply because their legs are longer.

You also must take an airedale outside to get exercise. They’re too big to exercise indoors unless you happen to have a huge space. A smaller wire fox terrier may be able to be exercised indoors if you have a long hallway or something of that sort (though those on the bigger end will still need to be exercised outdoors).

Every dog needs training to some extent. Both breeds should be trained very early, as they tend to grow more stubborn as they get older. You’ll need to have more patience with both breeds, as they can be stubborn like most terriers.

Airedale terriers are more commonly trained for hunting than wire fox terriers. Training them for hunting is generally pretty easy. However, it still requires the same amount of patience and careful consideration.

Because these dogs are more intelligent, they also require more mental stimulation. Keeping your dog mentally stimulated can be a lot of work. Training can help keep your dog’s brain working and prevent boredom. However, most will also benefit from puzzle feeders, chew toys, and interactive toys.

Airedale terriers tend to be more work than wire fox terriers, all things considered. They require more grooming, exercise, and mental stimulation. However, they’re often capable of more too, especially as hunting dogs.

Wire Fox Terrier vs. Airedale Terrier: Health

Both breeds are generally healthy dogs. Unlike some other breeds, they were primarily purpose-bred, so health was a priority for early breeders. Today, they still remain decently healthy, with many individuals living for around 10 to 15 years in both breeds.

However, these dogs are still prone to certain health issues. For instance, they’re both prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, which is sadly very common among many dog breeds. These conditions occur when the joints don’t develop correctly when the dog is very young, leading to excess wear on the joints. Often, the result is arthritis-like symptoms at a very early age.

These conditions aren’t curable but can be managed with surgery and medication.

That said, these dogs are also prone to different health problems. While neither breed is necessarily healthier than the other, they do experience different issues:

Wire Fox Terrier Health Problems

• Patellar luxation: This condition occurs when the kneecap slips out of place, causing pain and potentially damaging the joint. If left untreated, it can lead to arthritis. Surgery is often required.
• Skin allergies: Wire fox terriers are prone to skin problems due to allergies. These allergies can be environmental, like pollen or a certain cleaner used in the home, or they can be related to the dog’s food.
• Dental issues. Wire fox terriers have pretty small mouths, so teeth crowding is common. With all the teeth so close together, they can be prone to practically every dental problem. Regular teeth brushing is a solid preventative strategy, though.

Airedale Terrier Health Problems

• Von Willebrand disease: This bleeding disorder causes the blood to not clot correctly, leading to excessive bleeding. It only occurs in certain breeds, like the airedale.
• Progressive retinal atrophy: This genetic condition leads to blindness and is incurable.
• Addison’s disease: Also caused by genetics, this condition is hormonal and leads to many different symptoms, including vomiting and weakness.
• Bloat: This life-threatening condition is characterized by the stomach filling with gas and sometimes twisting. It can be deadly in only a few hours if not cured, and it tends to affect mostly larger dogs.

Summary of Wire Fox Terrier vs. Airedale Terrier