Eyes, ears, and tails are little things that mean a lot in Airedales. The ideal Airedale eye is small, dark, and almond-shaped. On the other hand, when at ease, the Airedale eye is noted for its lively twinkle. Airedale ears are also expressive. When alert, ears are held forward and folded just above skull level, with eartips hanging down to the outer corners of the eyes.
Dogs pull ears back when relaxed, silly, unhappy, or eavesdropping.
The experienced owner learns to read Airedale ears. Puppy tails are docked at three days. When done properly, only about one-third of the tail is removed. The adult Airedale should have a tail tip that's even with the top of its head. Considering the breed's roller-coaster popularity during the middle years of its history, it's surprising that today's dogs are so similar to the founders.