This video has been created as a resource guide for all Airedale terrier puppy owners who want to achieve the correct terrier expression according to the Akc breed standard. This video is my way of paying it forward and to contribute to the breed of my heart.

I want to thank all the breeders and breed mentors who have generously helped me and guided me over many years, without whom this video would not exist. My breeders have included Devon Allen of Kairk’s Airedale terriers, Marguerite Stetson and Nancy Dirgo of Hat Tricks Airedale terriers and Terry Stevens of Blackheath Airedale terriers. My breeders have played a key role in educating me and teaching me regarding all matters related to the preservation of my beloved breed. Other breed experts and mentors who have generously shared their time and knowledge with me include Heather Roozee, Ross Knutson, Scott Wasserman, Michele Evans, Dale Burrier, Wood Wornall and Fan Yu, plus many others in the breed. Lastly, I want to thank Lydia Ross most of all, for being my very first Airedale mentor. Being local to me, Lydia has taught me well, and introduced me to everything Airedale terrier related, whether it meant health and nutrition, housebreaking, training, grooming and generally all the quirks of living with the Airedale terrier. Last but not least instilled in me the hobby of collecting art and memorabilia of everything Airedale.

Please take note that terrier ear setting is not set in stone. Pun intended. The main objective is to ensure the fold creases over the top of the skull, not too high but not too low or houndy either. We want the ear leather to lay close to the sides of the head, with the ear tips pointing downward to the ground (just slightly beyond the outer corners of their eyes). The goal is to achieve the expression of an alert and intelligent terrier, with ears neither too large nor too small, and in proportion to the size of head. How much you decide to fold at the crease and how you decide placement of where to lay the ear leather will influence the expression for the lifetime of your dog. Fortunately the ears are continuously growing and the ear set is forgiving precisely because it is changing as the skull grows so you have many opportunities to adjust your ear placement as your puppy grows and you glue and Unglue over the months from age 12 weeks to about 10 months of age.

This video can also be applied to many other terrier breeds such as the Kerry blue terrier, Irish terrier, Welsh terrier, Wire fox terrier and many other terriers that require ear setting for the desirable terrier expression. All you have to do is study and understand your breed standard very closely and apply these techniques to achieve your desired outcome.