What breed is the Blue Buffalo dog?
A look at the canine icon behind the Blue Buffalo brand story *
(By Carmichael Phillip)
Watch the Blue Buffalo brand story video
The origin: Meet “Blue” the Airedale Terrier
Blue Buffalo brand story video – “It all started with an Airedale named Blue”
When you explore the official history of the Blue Buffalo brand, they reference a dog named Blue, described as an Airedale Terrier, as their inspiration. On their “Why Choose BLUE” page they state:
“It all started with an Airedale named Blue.”
The key point: the breed tied to the brand’s origin story is the Airedale Terrier.
So when people ask “What breed is the dog in the Blue Buffalo commercial?”, the closest official identify is that the dog “Blue” was an Airedale Terrier.
That being said, things get more complex when you try to identify which dog(s) appear in various Blue Buffalo TV spots and whether those dogs are the same “Blue” or simply brand-representative dogs.
Putting it into context: Breed, iconography and brand messaging
Blue Buffalo commercial – “One Taste Is All It Takes”
The fact that the brand links itself to an Airedale Terrier matters, because:
The Airedale is a distinctive breed: medium size, wiry coat, strong terrier features — which makes for an appealing “hero dog” in brand storytelling.
By naming the dog “Blue” and linking the brand’s dedication to feeding “Blue” the best, the brand creates a narrative of love, care and premium nutrition.
For consumers viewing various commercials for Blue Buffalo, the dog they see might not exactly match the Airedale breed standard; still, the brand uses the “Blue” figure as an emblematic representation of the brand promise.
So when you ask “What breed is the Blue Buffalo dog?”, a good answer is: the brand-story dog “Blue” was an Airedale Terrier. However, for any given TV spot commercials may feature other dogs of various breeds or mixes.
A quick breed profile: Airedale Terrier
Image & info: Airedale Terrier breed overview
To understand why the Airedale makes sense for the brand, here is a short profile of the breed:
Origin: The Airedale Terrier originated in England (the valley of the River Aire in Yorkshire) and is often called the “King of Terriers” because it is the largest of the terrier breeds.
Size: A typical adult male stands around 23 inches at the shoulder and weighs in the 50–70 lb range (females slightly smaller).
Coat: The coat is dense and wiry, generally a tan body with black saddle, with a rough textured outer coat and soft undercoat.
Personality: Smart, alert, confident, bold. Airedales can serve as working dogs (historically in police, military, hunting roles). They combine terrier grit with an amiable nature.
Suitability in branding: Because of its size, distinctive coat, and expressive look, the Airedale makes a strong visual choice for brand storytelling—large enough to be seen and recognizable, but still non-intimidating.
Given that the Blue Buffalo brand uses the Airedale in its core story, it aligns with their message of robust, intelligent dogs deserving of premium nutrition.
Why the breed matters (and also, why it might not always match perfectly)
Commercial example: Blue Buffalo “Small Breed Test” – featuring a small dog
Here are some thoughts on why breed assignment in dog food commercials can be tricky, and why the Airedale line-story may diverge:
Multiple dogs in campaigns: Brand commercials often use several dogs (for different scenarios: puppies, small breed, large breed, senior dog) so the “face dog” may change. For Blue Buffalo, while “Blue” was an Airedale in the story, other spots may feature dogs of other breeds.
Ease of filming / availability: Dog-talent agencies supply dogs of many breeds, and the “dog in the spot” may be chosen for behavior or look rather than strict breed purity. The brand story uses the Airedale, but individual spots might not.
Viewer perception vs breed standard: Many viewers ask “What breed is the dog in this ad?” expecting a precise answer. But unless the commercial or brand discloses the breed, one may only infer from looks (coat, size, ears) which can lead to guesses. For Blue Buffalo, the brand does disclose Airedale for “Blue” in their history.
Marketing symbolism: The brand uses “Blue” to represent faithful companion, strong health, premium care. Whether the breed changes or the dog changes, the brand uses the symbolism rather than making the dog central.
So the breed matters insofar as brand narrative: the official “dog behind the brand” was an Airedale. But in the practical sense of “the dog in this commercial” you may encounter a different dog or breed.
What this means for dog owners, breed fans, and curious viewers
Behind-the-scenes footage: Blue Buffalo commercial dogs on set
For people curious about breed or considering adopting a dog because “that breed looked great in that ad,” here are some practical take-aways:
Do your research: If you see a dog in a commercial you like (say the Airedale in the Blue Buffalo story) and think “I want that breed,” make sure you understand the breed’s real-life needs (exercise, grooming, temperament). Airedales are energetic and require activity.
Commercial dog vs average dog: Dogs in advertising are trained for the camera, used to sets, unusual situations. That doesn’t guarantee typical behavior for every dog of that breed. So what you see in the ad is likely the best case scenario.
Brand narrative vs breed mismatch: Just because the brand story mentions one breed doesn’t mean every pet they show is that breed. If you’re asking “what breed is THAT dog in THAT spot?” you should check credits or brand info. For many Blue Buffalo commercials, the dog’s breed is not explicitly stated.
Ad appearance can influence perceptions: Many pet owners recognise the blue-buffalo-dog image and may think “that breed must be premium.” While breed can influence behaviour and care needs, many factors (health, training, environment) matter more than appearance alone.
Respect symbolic breeds: In this case, the Airedale serves as a symbol for faithful, strong companion. Understanding that helps decode why the brand chose it and how breed identity plays into marketing.
In short: the breed identification adds interest and clarity, but also invites a deeper understanding of practical dog ownership rather than just attractive breed appearance.
Final word: The “Blue Buffalo dog” = an Airedale Terrier (in the core story) but …
variant breeds may appear
To summarise:
The brand’s official site states the story “It started with an Airedale named Blue.”
If you ask “what breed is the Blue Buffalo dog?”, a solid answer is: Airedale Terrier.
However: in the many commercials the brand runs (small breed, large breed, senior dogs), the dog you see may be a different breed. The brand uses the “Blue” motif rather than identifying each dog’s breed in every spot.
For breed-enthusiasts and curious viewers: yes, you can credit the breed as Airedale for the core brand dog—but don’t assume every Blue Buffalo dog is an Airedale.
If you like, I can research specific Blue Buffalo commercials, identify the exact dog used (name, breed) for 3 or 4 recent adverts, and share that with you. Would you like me to dig into that?
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