Half a century or more ago there was evolved in Yorkshire a type of dog that filled a long-felt want in the hearts of the sport-loving Britons of that Midland county. They needed a brainy animal that should be big and dead game, hardy and absolutely without fear of water or cold, a good watch-dog and a keen general-purpose hunter, for the valley of the Aire is a region of hills and rushing streams, the natural abode of foxes, otters, badgers and other lesser vermin galore. It was hard to find a breed that could satisfactorily meet all those requirements, so the Yorkshiremen determined to invent one, and the successful result of their experiments has, with some slight modifications of conformation, come down to us as the Airedale of the present day the largest terrier.
The Airedale's ancestry is, and probably always will be, more or less a matter of conjecture. But the chances are that he was originally a cross between a grizzle-and-tan terrier that used to be common in Yorkshire, and the otterhound, the latter being a powerful dog somewhat of the bloodhound type, but wire-coated and almost as much at home in the water as out of it. Probably there were also traces of breeds such as the bull terrier, collie, Bedlington, fox terrier and perhaps others.
But however uncertain may be his early lineage, there is absolutely no doubt that the Airedale of to-day is a grand dog, strong, courageous, intelligent and with a disposition that for general attractiveness is surpassed by those of few other breeds. He will hunt anything from a mouse to a grizzly bear; he will herd sheep or do parlor tricks for the entertainment of visitors. He is obedient and cheerful, and takes to the water like a muskrat. He will be a safe and gentle playmate for the children or a terror to tramps and night prowlers in general. He makes an ideal companion and friend, for he has the true terrier's spirit of "get Up and go," combined with a certain dignity and dependability that are all his own. A good Airedale doesn't look for trouble, but woe be unto any dog that tries to impose upon him, for he knows not the meaning of the word "quit." He is of the practical all-around type and "will do anything that any other dog can do and then lick the other dog."
There is no record of the Airedale ever having been called beautiful in an esthetic sense. But there is about him an appearance of compactness and symmetry, of straight-limbed and capable strength, that cannot but excite admiration. To see him in action with all the grace of his tense muscles in perfect play and watch the pound of well-placed pads is to realize that he's a real dog. To know him well is to like him, for no dog could bsve built up such a reputation as the Airedale now enjoys unless his general qualities were of the highest order.
The breed as now accepted by the kennel associations is somewhat heavier than in the days when it was unknown outside of the Midlands. A good specimen should weigh in the neighborhood of forty-five pounds and be about as tall as an ordinary Llewellyn setter. The body is short, with well-arched ribs and deep but narrow chest, giving plenty of room for the lungs. The shoulders are sloping and their every line is indicative of supple power; fore legs perfectly straight and the feet compact and well padded. The hind legs should be strongly muscled but by means "bunchy" Skull wide, but rather flat, with small, dark eyes and little V-shaped ears set rather high. The muzzle is long, strong and firm and the teeth large.
The Airedale is a wire-coated dog, with hard, stiff hair that is about an inch long, except on the head, where it is shorter than elsewhere. Beneath this outer protecting coat there is a warm underbody of soft, thick wool. His color is a uniform deep tan all over, with the exception of a patch of black or dark gray across the back like a saddle. The double coat was a strong asset to the Airedale in the sort of life for which his originators intended him, for it is a great protection against water, cold, briars and teeth. He will jump into creek or pond, swim across, take a couple of shakes and a roll in the grass when he comes out, and be dry again. Similarly, he will come through a long tramp or hunt in the woods and tangled thickets without a scratch from thorn or branch, and be ready to start right out and do the same thing over again.
In spite of his large size, the Airedale is a true terrier and ready adapts himself, to any climate and any task. He has hauled sledges 1n Alaska, and hunted mountain lions in the Rockies and criminals in Europe. He will tackle a wildcat in a Florida savanna just as eagerly as he will snap a mouse or rat in the feed room of your stable. He has the constitution of a piece of armor-plate and the heart of a gentleman. The place for him is in the country, for first, last and always, the typical Airedale is "all dog."
Standards Of The Breed Selecting Your Airedale Buying A Airedale Puppy's Papers The Pedigree A Healthy Puppy Male Or Female? Adult Or Pup? Worming And Inoculation Grooming Your Airedale Bathing Your Airedale