Adopting an Airedale

If an Airedale isn't the kind of dog who will fit into your lifestyle,
neither you nor the dog will be happy!

Airedales are very high-maintenance animals.

Airedales are 50+ pounds of attitude. They are smart and curious critters. If it bothers you to be outwitted by a dog every now and then, don't get an Airedale.

If you want a dog you can control completely, one who will lay quietly at your side and never question your judgment, you should definitely consider another breed.

Obviously, we love Airedales and are dedicated to their well-being. Since we are Airedale people, we can't imagine life without one. But we also realize that Airedales are not for everyone. Often people who think they want an Airedale really don't. These people are attracted to the dog because of its looks, but they do not realize the work involved in maintaining such an intelligent, high-energy animal.

That is why we want to be as honest as possible with you and we hope that you will be honest with us. Especially if you have never owned an Airedale before, please hear us out with an open mind.

Why don't we have pictures and profiles of our dogs up for adoption?

Too many times, when someone sees a cute dog picture or hears about a particularly heartbreaking story, they react emotionally and adopt the animal. Unfortunately, all too often these dogs find themselves given up for adoption again, because the family was not prepared to handle the challenges of living with the animal day-to-day.

Our philosophy is different. We screen applications not on emotion, but based on the applicant's ability to handle a specific dog. This makes our adoption success rate much higher than other organizations.

Why does it take so long?

Yes, it will take longer to get a dog, and sometimes we may never have a dog that fits your profile. This is not a reflection on you. It's not because we think you're a bad home, or that you wouldn't love your pet. It's just we know all too well the heartache for everyone when a placement does not work, and we wish to spare you, and the dog, this pain.

For example, we have learned from experience that people who have never owned a terrier before are often overwhelmed by their energy and demanding nature. If you have no experience with terriers, have very young children, or do not have a fenced yard, it is extremely unlikely that we would find a good match for you. However, in a few years, when your children are older or you have had your yard fenced, then we might have a better chance of matching your family to a dog.

Please remember two things:

• Our first concern is for placing our dogs in forever homes.
• Your ideal pet may not be an Airedale.

Read all the pages in this section and find out more about these demanding and fascinating animals. See if an Airedale might be the right dog for you.