Description written by: J.Trottier & A. Plante
Otters are now protected species in Great Britain. It was
not so in 1876. It was then that the name of Airedale Terrier was first introduced. Originating from Yorkshire
land, located between the rivers Aire and Wharf, it is the workers' hunting dog.
Otters were destocking the rivers of fish and rats constituting a serious problem.
In order to track these animals, water dogs were required to drive the otter and then a
few terriers were needed to hunt the rats, a burdensome combination. The solution was to
create a breed that could perform both functions. Such a cross-breeding occured in
1853 with an Old English black and tan Terrier and an Otterhound, resulting in a dog,
capable of swimming, scenting the game and having the agility of the terrier. Many other
cross-breedings were carried out, culminating in the arrivial of the Airedale in
1879. The Airedale Terrier was officialy accepted by the Kennel Club in 1886.
Santdard said : Size; Dogs should
measure approximately 23 inches in height at the shoulder;
bitches, slightly less. Both sexes should be sturdy, well muscled and boned.
Dog 60-65 pounds, bitch 50-55 pounds. Coat ; Should be hard, dense and
wiry, lying straight and close, covering the dog well over the body and legs. Some of the
hardest are crinkling or just slightly waved. At the base of the hard very stiff hair
should be a shorter growth of softer hair termed the undercoat. Color ; The head and
ears should be tan, the ears being of a darker shade than the rest. Dark markings on
either side of the skull are permissible. The legs up to the thighs and elbows and the
under-part of the body and chest are also tan and the tan frequently runs into the
shoulder. The sides and upper parts of the body should be black or dark grizzle. A red
mixture is often found in the black and is not to be considered objectionable. A small
white blaze on the chest is a characteristic of certain strains of the breed. This
versatile terrier, with the supple and elegant silhouette, has more than one string to its
bow. The breed was used during the First and Second World Wars as liaison agents and
rescue dogs by the Red Cross, as bear hunters in Canada, lion hunters in Kenya and
especially as dogs for the blind and the police in England. Now, the frankness and
the openness of the Airedale make it a companion dog noted for its humour and a joy for
living.
Weariness does not exist with an Airedale.
Airedale lovers say that when an Airedale enters a home, life is no longer boring.
Effectively it has a charming nature, a great spirit and a large capacity for
affection. Few people having owned an Airedale can make a change of breed thereafter
because this dog is endowed to conquer our hearts. Airedale is very affectionate with its
masters. It loves people. It is unable to conceal its feelings. It may
sound astonishing, but those who know the Airedale well will affirm in a unanimous voice
and with seriousness that it does smile in greeting your friends, that it bursts with
laughter when it is happy and that it talks when claiming a caress or a candy.
The Airedale requires an energetic master who is
vigorous and authoritative and gives attention and affection to this four legged clown.
Whether we are age seven or seventy-seven, the company of a Airedale will always make us
smile. The rule is not to give up at all its fancies. In spite of a few
defects, the Airedale is an irresistible dog. Graffiti Kennel
