History of the Airedale Terrier Breed
The Airedale terrier is the tallest terrier and, as such, is often referred to as the “king of terriers.” Medium-sized terriers were prized by Yorkshire hunters for hunting game such as water rats and foxes. In the mid-1800s, some terriers around the River Aire in South Yorkshire were crossed with otterhounds to enhance their hunting ability around water, as well as scenting ability. The result of the crossbreeding was a dog adept at otter hunting, originally called the Bingley or Waterside terrier which was later recognized as the Airedale terrier in 1878. Breeders from the show-dog circuit sought to breed away from some of the remnants of the otterhound cross that were considered less aesthetically pleasing and instead crossed the Irish and bull terriers which produced the modern Airedale terrier. The patriarch of the breed, Champion Master Briar, gained notoriety around 1900, and his offspring set the standard for the Airedale breed in America. The breed was used for wartime guard, messenger duty, rodent control, hunting birds and game. The Airedale’s smart looks and manners made it well-suited as a police dog and family pet. However, after World War I, the Airedale’s popularity waned. Now, its reputation is greater than its numbers.
Size and Appearance of the Airedale Terrier
The Airedale terrier is a long-legged terrier, not exaggerated in any way. The coat is hard, dense and wiry, with some crinkling and/or waving. The Airedale's coat is tan with black markings on the sides and upper parts of the body. It has strong round bone and displays its combined strength and agility. Its jaws are strong and punishing.
Airedale Terrier Temperament
Early socialization and training are essential to manage the dominant terrier temperament in a 60-pound body, so it is important to look for an Airedale breeder who not only performs the appropriate health screening, but also chooses breeding dogs for manageable temperament and begins the pups’ socialization process from the day they are whelped. The Airedale is adventurous, bold, and playful and among the most versatile of terriers; it is a lively yet protective companion. The Airedale terrier is intelligent, but often obstinate and headstrong. Some Airedales can be domineering, but most (with proper training) are reliable and responsive to their owner’s commands and suggestions. The Airedale is a good house dog as long as it gets daily mental and physical exercise. Airedales typically emerge as “alpha” or head dogs and, therefore, may not do well when another dog challenges that position, although they usually get along well with smaller and more submissive dogs.
Airedale Terrier Recommended Maintenance
The coat is dense and wiry; it requires a great deal of grooming and may need professional help to maintain. The coat needs combing twice weekly, plus scissoring and shaping (clipping for pets, and hand stripping for show dogs) every one to two months. Ears often need “glueing” as puppies in order to ensure proper shape as adults.
Airedales are extremely active and need vigorous exercise every day. Suggested activities to meet the Airedales exercise needs include long walks, a strenuous games or opportunities to hunt and romp in a safe area. Although an Airedale can live outside in temperate climates, it is better suited for indoor sleeping. The moderate size of the Airedale Terrier makes him suitable for life in the city and suburbs as well as the countryside. The Airedale Terrier heritage makes him bold with other dogs and unlikely to back down from a fight, so firm leash control is necessary when walking the dog in public. Allowing an Airedale the freedom of a retractable leash can result in disaster if other dogs are present.
If loyalty, protectiveness, strength, and a sense of humor are traits you seek in a pet and you can accept the responsibility of firm-yet-kind discipline, professional grooming bills, and a pet who demands vigorous exercise, Airedale terriers are well-suited for you. However, if you have small children, are impatient, don’t have time for training, are physically weak, or are not likely to consistently assert your authority over a strong-minded dog, think twice before selecting an Airedale as a pet.
Airedale Terrier Health
• Life span: 10 – 13 years
• Major concerns: Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD)
• Minor concerns: gastric torsion
• Occasionally seen: colonic disease
• Suggested tests: hip x-rays
|
