Airedale Terrier. Bardi McLennan
toddlers from drowning or from darting into traffic than stories of Airedale attacks on intruders.
One day, two of my husband’s business associates came to the house to wait for him. Our Airedale greeted both men in a friendly, but formal, manner and then took a spot on the floor between where they were seated and where I sat. He appeared to have fallen asleep, but when one of the men partially rose out of his chair to reach an ashtray, the dog’s head was over his arm in a flash! No growl, no curled lip, no sign of aggression other than a look and body language that said it all: “Watch it! I’m on duty here.”
An Airedale Terrier with the right owner makes a happy and rewarding match.
The hereditary factor of gunshyness has been a source of arguments for years among those who hunt their dogs. Unreasonable shyness should be looked upon as a more serious breed fault than houndy ears, bad tail set or a soft coat, all of which may be faulty in show circles but perfectly acceptable in a lovable pet. A steady, friendly outgoing temperament, however, is of paramount importance in the family Airedale, as it should be in a show dog, working dog and obedience dog.
THE AIREDALE AT WORK AND PLAY
In Cynographia Britannica (1800), Syndenham Edwards wrote of terriers as a whole, “As his courage is great, so is his genius extensive; he will trace with the foxhounds, hunt with the beagle, find with the greyhound or beat with the spaniel. Of wildcats, martens, polecats, weasels and rats, he is the vigilant and determined enemy; he drives the otter from the rocky clefts on the banks of rivers, nor declines combat of a new element.” It is a sad state of affairs that dogs bred to hunt are no longer allowed this pursuit in their native land, but such are the laws today. In the US, however, the reverse is happening as more and more people are becoming actively involved in breed-specific sporting activities, including carting trials for Bernese Mountain Dogs, sledding races for Huskies and, of course, earthdog trials for Scotties, Dachshunds, etc.
When we speak of working or hunting dogs versus show or breeding stock, we are not referring to different types of Airedale Terriers. There is only one type, the one described in the breed standard. A dog earning hunting, obedience or agility titles may not be up to snuff for the show ring from a “beauty” standpoint (ears, coat, etc.), but still retains type and, in order to work, must be sound. Conversely, there is no reason why a show dog could not add other titles to his conformation championship, and many are doing just that.
There are numerous stories, especially in the US, of Airedales’ taking down bears and mountain lions. Their heroics have not gone unnoticed worldwide by the hunting Airedale enthusiasts, nor has that group been reticent to laud the breed’s natural accomplishments over those achieved in the show ring! As a result, dogs bred for show, including those that actually are conformation champions, are becoming increasingly involved in field work.
The Airedale’s working attributes have gone far beyond anything perceived by the breed’s creators. In the early 1900s, American fancier Walter Lingo began to breed and train Airedales for hunting. Oorang Airedales (he never called them Airedale Terriers) were not AKC registered, ranged in size from 35 to 100 pounds, came in any ancestral color and were without any adherence to type! He advertised them as hunters, but was hardly original in his claim. As Gladys Brown Edwards, noted breeder, author and artist wrote, “In fact, it is harder to keep an Airedale from hunting than it is to find one reluctant to hunt.”
Will Judy, writing in Dog Encyclopedia (Chicago, 1936), raved about the dog’s capabilities, including success as a police dog and on the battlefield, as a hunter of wild game (lions and tigers) in Africa, as a retriever in icy waters, as a sled dog in the frozen North, etc. High praise indeed, but he also noted that the Airedale Terrier wears his heart on his sleeve, is sensitive and demands attention and praise, but “all with a loveable terrier nature.” He was right on the mark!
Before considering the Airedale as a family pet, one must consider the breed’s instinctive working traits. Potential owners must realize that these are active dogs, not hyperactive dogs, but are working terriers with a will and a need to be given something to do. The alternative is to get into mischief. Small jobs are perfectly acceptable. Such tasks as carrying in the morning paper or toting a basket of tools about the garden qualify as gainful employment, so long as you remember that the dog also needs sufficient physical exercise.
During an off-season, show dogs and hunters are often trotted alongside bicycles to keep them in top condition. For the pet, a brisk walk, retrieving games or perhaps the Airedale’s favorite—a run in the fields adjacent to an irresistible stream or pond—will do nicely. City dogs can make do with similar excursions in the park.
The Airedale puppy grows into a fearless, versatile and determined dog, capable of undertaking any task set before him.
Agility trials are the latest form of “work,” and running the agility course is pure fun for the dogs even if they never go beyond practice sessions. An Airedale is also a good companion for the person who jogs every day. However, you will have to watch your dog’s weight if you have an Airedale that prefers his dinner bowl and a comfy sofa to activity.
It is difficult to lump all aspects of the Airedale together and say, “There you have it, that’s what the Airedale is like.” Each dog is a complex individual, with attributes and deficiencies derived from his genes, his people and his environment. After all this talk about work, many an owner will cheerfully attest to the fact that his Airedale is merely an oversized lapdog!
My sons taught one of their Airedales to run races with them. They enjoyed the game until they realized that the dog was winning every race with a sudden burst of speed just before reaching the finish line no matter how many times they extended that mark. They switched to football, only to have the dog figure out how to trap the ball inside four firmly planted feet. Good playmates for kids? Intelligent? Playful dogs? Yes, indeed.
The breed is exceptionally good with children but, as with every other breed of dog, that means “good with good, well-behaved, slightly older children.” When the Airedale has been a family member for some time, there should be no problem when a new baby arrives. However, when buying the first family dog, it’s best if the children are eight years of age or older.
To sum up the Airedale as a companion, he is a gentle, trustworthy playmate and faithful protector of home and family. At the same time, he’s a formidable watchdog. His intelligence is unsurpassed, yet he can be endearingly foolish, a clown to make you laugh or to dispel your tears. He’ll give you a look that will warm your heart and will put his chin on your knee just to let you know he’s there.
HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS
It’s always dangerous to say that a breed has few health problems, but the Airedale is so blessed. Apart from worms, which are easily controlled today, and skin conditions due to flea bites or diet (also controllable), the breed enjoys a relatively clean bill of health.
Hip dysplasia (HD), which can occur in any dog but more often in large ones, is present in the Airedale; research is underway into its hereditary aspects. Since it is an inherited debilitating disease, the prospective buyer should ask to see proof of hip testing and clearances on the pup’s sire and dam. There are special x-ray tests to detect HD and affected dogs should never be bred. A dog with the lowest degree of affliction may never show any signs of the disorder. More severe cases result in painful disuse of one or both hind legs and are treated with pain-relieving medication or surgery including the latest in total hip replacement.
Occasionally von Willebrand’s disease, which is an inherited blood coagulation abnormality, occurs in Airedales. There also is growing concern over problems with the immune system, tracing some of it to an overreaction of the dog’s system to the broad use of multiple