How are Airedales with cats?

Even some Airedale owners are surprised to hear that Airedales will kill cats. This is because they have raised their Airedale from puppyhood with cats. If your cat has never lived with a dog, we will not place an Airedale with you. If you own a cat that has lived successfully with large active dogs, SWAT will only offer you an Airedale which is known to have lived peacefully with cats or has been tested with cats to gauge their reaction. Some Airedales will never live with cats, some can be trained, a few will live with anything. Even Airedales who learn to get along with their "home cats" will still chase strange cats.

If you have only owned cats, but never a dog, you need to think long and hard before adding a dog to your life. Cat people are used to an animal that can tolerate, or even enjoy, affection but is basically an independent creature. The cat may be happy to see his owner when they return home, but after the appropriate greeting, he often goes about his own business. Cats can be left alone for long periods of time. They can use a litter box and don't need to be walked to relieve themselves.

Dogs are pack animals and social contact is just as necessary as food and water. You are your dog's pack and need to be able to spend a lot of time with your dog. Dogs must be taken outside to relieve themselves. Dogs cannot be left alone for long periods of time.

If you are frequently away from home for long hours - more than 8 hours per day (more than 4 hours a day for a puppy), you will need to obtain the services of a dog walker. You will have to be committed to spending a good deal of your off-work hours exercising, training and playing with your Airedale. If you are not willing to do that, please don't get a dog.

Can you make a commitment to a high maintenance pet? Dogs require much of your time. They need to be walked to relieve themselves, exercised, fed, played with, groomed, taken to the vet on a regular basis, and given lots of attention.

You will need to put the cat's food, water and litterbox somewhere inaccessible to the Airedale.

You will need to provide your cat with ways to escape the dog and never leave them alone together.