The site was last updated on
24 Aug 2000
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Name of breed:
Airedale Terrier
Class:
Terrier
Recognized:
AKC, ANKC, CKC, FCI, KC (GB), KUSA.
Size: Height: dogs about
58-61cm (23-24in), bitches 56-59cm (22-23in). Weight: about 19.9kg (44lb).
Coat:
Hard, dense and wiry.
Colors: Body-saddle, top
of neck and top of surface of tail, black or grizzle; all other parts tan; ears
often a darker tan, and shading may occur round neck and side of skull; a few
white hairs between forelegs are acceptable.
The Airedale is the king of the terriers, being the largest member of the terrier group. Originally known as the Waterside Terrier and sometimes also as the Bingley Terrier, the Airedale was named after a Valley of Air in Yorkshire, England. It was the progeny of the working terrier probably crossed with the Otterhound. The Breed was first classified separately for show purposes in 1879, but did not really come into its own as a show dog until the 1930s. Airedales were introduced into the United States by 1910. An expert ratter and duck-catcher, the Airedale can also be trained to the gun and is a splendid guard, It has therefore undertaken a multitude of tanks ranging from service in both the British and Russian armies to acting as messenger and collector of money for the Red Cross and as a railway police patrol dog. It seems to have lots its niche as a guard since the emergence of the German Shepherd Dog.
Character and care
The multi-purpose Airedale is a good choice of the terrier devotee who wants a bigger dog. As a family pet, it is good with children, extremely loyal and, despite its size, seems to adapt well to fairly cramped conditions - provided that it has plenty of exercise. It well, however, need to be hand stripped twice a year, if it is the intention to exhibit.
