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Airedale Terrier Facts
- Group
- Terrier
- Affiliations
- UKC, CKC, AKC
- Height
- 22" - 23" (55.8 - 28.4cm)
- Weight
- 45 - 50 lbs (20.4 - 22.6kg)
- Lifespan
- 12 years | Add yours
- Exercise Requirement
- Training Requirement
- Grooming Requirement
- Colors
- Breed Characteristics
Alternate Names
The Airedale Terrier is also know as the King of Terriers, Working Terrier, Waterside Terrier, or Bingley terrier. The Airedale's name comes from the Aire river in the Dale county of Yorkshire.
Origin
The Airedale Terrier was developed in Valley of Aire in England, by crossing the otterhound with the now extinct Old English Terrier.
Date Of Origin
The Airedale Terrier was developed in the mid-1800s.
History
The Airedale Terrier has a wide-range of abilities that allow them to perform a broad range of tasks such as hunting birds and game, a wartime guard dog / sentry, carrier of messages, police work, and bodyguard. During times of war, the Airedale Terrier was famous for carrying messages to soldiers behind enemy lines. The dogs were fearless as they traveled through battle fields under heavy fire.
The Airedale was the first breed to be used as police dogs in both Great Britain and Germany. A service which was performed with great enthusiasm due to their ability to retain training and work through harsh conditions and discomfort.
Today, their fearlessness and determination survive is commonly demonstrated by their loyalty towards their families and jobs.
Description
The Airedale Terrier is a large, square terrier with a long, flat skull that equals the muzzle in length. The eyes are dark and small with a distinctive terrier expression. The ears are V-shaped and carried at the side of the head. The back is short and the chest is deep. The tail is carried high, but not curled over the back. It is double-coated with a soft under coat and a hard, dense, wiry outer coat that lies straight. Some hard hairs are slightly wavy or crinkled. The coat is tan and black with the head and ears, lower part of the legs, chest and belly always tan. The sides and upper parts of the body are black or dark grizzle. There is sometimes red mixed with the black and a small, white blaze on the chest.
Temperament
Airedale Terriers are loyal and protective of their families and property without being aggressive. They make excellent guard dogs with their alert nature. It is proud and courageous with a high prey drive The Airedale has a pleasant disposition, but will not shy away from a challenge to defend himself.
The Airedale Terriers are intelligent dogs, capable of retaining training very well, however, socialization, consistency, exercise, love, praise and devotion are necessary. Puppies should attend training classes to begin socialization at an early age. The Airedale can be hardheaded (stubborn) if they become bored with the training, so an emphasis must be placed on reinforcement and progression of training to ensure success.
They should be closely watched with children because of their exuberance and, if used for hunting, it may not be safe to have other small pets around them due to their high prey drive.
The Airedale Terrier needs vigorous daily exercise. A young, healthy Airedale will need more than a casual daily walk. This breed will require a brisk jog or run along side a bicycle, a long game of fetch, or a workout on an agility course every day. Highly active Airedales may require multiple activities from this list, daily.
Uses
This dog is the largest of all the British terriers, and commonly referred to as the King of Terriers. The Airedale is still used for hunting today and is highly proficient with hunting otter in the marsh, and stag and wild boar hunting. Because of its courageous temperament, it was used in police and military work. The Airedale Terrier has excelled in many sports including obedience, agility, tracking, search and rescue, and carting. A trained Airedale makes a wonderful companion dog for an active family (or individual) in a rural or suburban home with enough time to properly exercise the dog.
Health Concerns
Health issues associated with the Airedale Terrier include hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, skin diseases.
Additional Information
Although the Airedale Terrier has had an active and aggressive past he is now considered to be a true gentleman and an excellent companion. Presidents, including Theodore Roosevelt, Calvin Coolidge, and Warren Harding owned and admired the breed for its courage, intelligence, and adaptability.
Sources
The All Breed Dog Grooming Guide
Publisher: Aaronco, 2002
Website: http://www.aaroncopet.com
Author: Sam Kohl
Simon & Schusters Guide to Dogs
Publisher: Simon & Schuster inc, 1980
Website: http://www.simonandschuster.com
Author: Elizabeth Meriwether Schuler
Dog Bible
Publisher: BowTie Press, 2005
Website: http://www.bowtiepress.com/bowtie/
Authors: Kristin Meuh-Roe, Jarelle S. Stein
The Howell Book Of Dogs
Publisher: Wiley Publishing Inc, 2007
Website: http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/
Author: Liz Palika
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