Airedale Terrier vs Standard Schnauzer

An Airedale Terrier
Photo: Michail Jungierek
A Standard Schnauzer
Photo: Standardschnauzer1

Side by side

Airedale Terrier
Standard Schnauzer
Adult weight
23–32 kg (50–70 lb) (breed club figure)1
14–20 kg (31–44 lb)2
Lifespan
Median 12 years3
Median 13 years3
Fully grown
11 months, both sexes4
Group
Terriers5
Pinschers & molossoids2
Coat
Wire or harsh coat5
Wire or harsh coat2
Shedding
Holds loose hair until it is brushed or clipped out
Grooming
A brush once a week
Exercise
A moderate amount
Health
Mouth melanoma (more likely); Skin melanoma (more likely)6
No sourced figure
Class
Family
Watchdog

Which suits you

Size
The Airedale Terrier is much larger: about 27 kg (60 lb) as an adult, against 17 kg (37 lb) for the Standard Schnauzer.
Lifespan
In UK vet records the Standard Schnauzer lives longer: a median of 13 years, against 12 for the Airedale Terrier.
Temperament
They differ most on independence (Airedale Terrier: decides for itself; Standard Schnauzer: cooperative, with its own ideas) and on loyalty (Airedale Terrier: bonded to its family; Standard Schnauzer: sticks close to its people).
Alike
Both are rated the same on intelligence: needs daily brain work.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
Take the breed matcher

What they're like

Airedale Terrier
Terriers · Large

In temperament the Airedale is confident, alert and lively, with the independent streak of a working terrier. It tends to stay playful well into adulthood and to be watchful with strangers.

Standard Schnauzer
Pinschers & molossoids · Medium

The breed is alert, intelligent and energetic, with a strong instinct to guard home and family. It tends to be reserved with strangers but devoted to its own people.

The Airedale Terrier page →The Standard Schnauzer page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Airedale Terrier
Standard Schnauzer
Activity
Needs lots of exercise
Needs lots of exercise
Intelligence
Needs daily brain work
Needs daily brain work
Handler demand
Needs an experienced owner
Needs an experienced owner
With people
Airedale Terrier
Standard Schnauzer
Affection
Affectionate on its own terms
Affectionate on its own terms
Loyalty
Differs
Bonded to its family
Sticks close to its people
Independence
Differs
Decides for itself
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Around the home
Airedale Terrier
Standard Schnauzer
Sensitivity
Differs
Hardy, takes a busy home in its stride
Average
Voice
Barks to alert, then settles
Barks to alert, then settles
Prey drive
Differs
Likely to chase small pets
Chases; needs managing
Breed explains only about 9% of how individual dogs differ in behaviour7. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home8,9.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
The Airedale Terrier grows to the heavier adult, about 27 kg against the Standard Schnauzer's 17 kg.
Airedale Terrier
Standard Schnauzer
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More comparisons

Compare the Airedale Terrier with
Miniature Schnauzer vs Standard SchnauzerSoft Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Standard SchnauzerKerry Blue Terrier vs Standard SchnauzerAiredale Terrier vs Welsh TerrierGiant Schnauzer vs Standard SchnauzerStandard Schnauzer vs West Highland White TerrierAll breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·