Airedale Terrier vs Welsh Terrier

Like most terriers, Airedale Terriers have a feisty spirit. Bred to hunt docks and rats, they’re determined, athletic and super intelligent. And thanks to this, they excel in whatever they put their mind to.

Most Airedales love family life and accept children when properly introduced and socialized. They tend to be good around dogs they know but are sometimes wary around dogs they don’t know. And with the Airedale Terrier breed’s innate hunting instincts, having a cat in the household can be tricky.

“But wait!” adds the Airedale, “Tell them how talented I am!” Airedales have an impressive work resume as police dogs. It’s been said they can do anything, and that includes agility, dock diving, hunting, flyball, tracking, scent work, search and rescue, obedience and therapy work. (Whew!)

The Welsh Terrier dog breed is affectionate with the people they love. They’re outgoing, spirited and highly alert. No wallflowers here! On the flip side, they’ll likely chase and bark after any little critter that moves.

Welshies are not naturally aggressive, nor do they have strong biting tendencies. But as a hunting breed, untrained dogs (and sometimes even the trained ones) will chase after small animals, including cats, and fight back if challenged by other dogs. Pro tip: If buying or adopting two dogs at once, getting one of each gender may result in a smoother transition.

A Welsh Terrier’s fun-loving temperament can make them great pets who can co-exist beautifully with active parents. Raising a Welshie with kids is more of a mixed bag. The best chance for happy cohabitation depends on the young children’s age at the time the dog enters the home (older than 6 is your best bet), and whether you provide diligent supervision and socialization—both for your dog, and to teach your children how to respectfully interact with them.

A medium- or large-sized home with plenty of indoor and outdoor space—a big fenced yard, for example—to speed around in is ideal. They definitely need room to get the zoomies out. Small apartment living can also work, as long as you give your pup plenty of outdoor opportunities to race. But be warned: Due to their high energy and natural hunting tendencies, Welshies tend to jump on furniture to make room for play. They should always be on a leash when out in public, too.

This breed isn’t the best choice for first-time dog parents as Welsh Terriers’ intelligence and high energy levels demand above-average physical exercise as well as a ton of training and mental stimulation for them to thrive. Regardless, if a Welsh Terrier puppy has already won your heart, make sure they come from a reputable breeder and invest in a certified trainer to end up with the best Welsh Terrier qualities and a devoted forever friend.