Comparison: Airedale Terrier and Irish Terrier

Airedale Terrier and Irish Terrier are marked as similar in our database. The table compares only the data we have on the breeds.

Airedale Terrier
Photo: Zuni1520, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Irish Terrier
Photo: Anne Sollerud, CC BY 3.0, source
Airedale TerrierIrish Terrier
FCI group3. Terriers3. Terriers
Country of originUnited KingdomIreland
CategoryLargeMedium
Height at withers56–61 cm–
Weight18–29 kg–
Life span10–13 years–
Recognition features
  • Harsh black-and-tan saddle coat
  • About 58 cm tall, square build
  • Long head with beard and folded ears
  • Dense red to wheaten-red wiry coat
  • Long, flat-skulled head with beard and small V-shaped ears
  • Lean, racy outline built for speed and endurance
CoatHard wiry coat with undercoat; black and tan.Hard, wiry, close-lying and abundant; solid red, golden red or red-wheaten.
PurposeThe largest terrier, from the Aire valley in Yorkshire, bred for otter and rat hunting; later a service and war dog.Versatile farmyard dog, guard and gundog; used as a messenger dog in the First World War.

Breed page: Airedale Terrier · Breed page: Irish Terrier

Learn to recognise this breed and many more

In the Dogtice quiz you practise breeds on photos and see the differences between look-alike breeds.

Try the demo quizComing soon to Google Play

The information is indicative. Texts are based on available sources and may contain inaccuracies; for binding details (e.g. for breeding or shows) use the official breed standard.