Airedale Terrier
1. Introduction
This is a comprehensive study of the Airedale Terrier. It features an in-depth examination of its unique traits and characteristics, its common quirks and strange behaviors, as well as its visual characteristics. The Airedale Terrier is a wide-ranging working terrier, which contributed to its diverse skill set. While welcoming people, this breed has an independent mind, which is not always geared toward pleasing its human. The Airedale Terrier has a strong prey drive and high prey frustration. They are very interested in chasing after small furry creatures and must be under strict discipline or kept on a leash when out of doors unless living on an acreage or farm.
Their love of water is one of the delights of owning an Aire. They love to dig and can do a great deal of damage if they put their minds to it. They are very protective of their people and will let any intruder know about it; unfortunately, it is also easy for them to set their sights on one of their toys and annoy the neighbors. This breed requires grooming. The coat is hard and wiry on the top, and a tad softer and softer underneath. It requires stripping, clipping, or rolling - whatever the owner finds the least bothersome. Airedales have a delightfully dry sense of humor and can be quite mischievous. They are a sporty lot and love to play a good game of fetch, although they might require some bribery. They are not above performing silly stunts for the reward of personal attention.
2. Historical Background of the Airedale Terrier
The Airedale Terrier , also known as the King of Terriers, is an English breed with a mixed heritage. It was bred in the 19th century in the River Aire valley in Airedale, a metropolitan district in West Yorkshire, England. There, the breed was produced through crossings of various hardworking animals, including the Otterhound and the Black and Tan Terrier, along with the ancient rough-coated white and tan English Terrier used primarily for ridding working areas of vermin. The breed was bred for the sporting purpose of otter hunting, a gambling game carried out for sport. Over the years, the breed has been adapted for versatility. The modern Airedale is more at home in the field, or on working and agility grounds or tracking trials, than it is terrorizing an otter.
Known as the larger than life Yorkshire Terrier or Waterside Terrier, the Airedale was used during the First World War as a messenger, war sentry, and guard in this original role. Thanks to its suitability to guard and protect and also run and hunt, the breed has been a part of the British and Australian Royal families. It also frequently appears in Garrett story books and on various types of advertising. As a result, the breed took the very British title of 'The King of Terriers'. It remains a popular breed and can be met in most parts of the world. In the United States, the breed has always been called the Airedale, although in some parts of Europe it has been known until recently by its German description, the Waterside Terrier.
3. Physical Characteristics
Breeders of the Airedale Terrier prioritize traits that add to the breed’s distinctiveness, such as the wiry coat and unique coloring. In fact, the Airedale has the most unique coat of all terriers; it is the only terrier breed with a curly coat. The wiry coat is longer than that of other terrier breeds, but still rather short, lying close to the body. The skull should be fairly broad with some brow over the eyes, but not as pronounced as in other terriers and definitely without the full stop. The head is in proportion with a moderate neck. The ribs are well sprung without being barrel-chested and are deep, extending approximately down to the elbows. The back is short and straight. Males are standard at 22-24 inches, with females being slightly smaller at 21-23 inches. The Airedale Terrier is a mesomorphic breed, with a slightly longer body than a square, but it is by no means a long dog. The Airedale Terrier is a well-proportioned breed. The breed has been described as having the “King of Terrier” expression, which is alert and confident.
The Airedale can come in two coat colors: tan and black, the more common combination, and red and black. The tan is always above the black body, covering the top of the head, neck, chest, and up to the elbows on the front legs, as well as the vent. The legs are straight and sturdy. The shoulders are lean and flow in behind the withers, which are clearly pronounced. The topline is straight with the withers melding in just behind the nape of the neck. The Airedale Terrier moves at a trot, an athletic and powerful gait. The longer coat comes pretty much straight off P3s on the front legs and back legs. The tail, high set, does not slope off of the topline, instead keeping the topline straight and serves as an extension of the back leg. The coat is a double coat, with a soft undercoat and a more wiry topcoat. Airedales do not shed as much as other terrier breeds and, as a result, do require hand-stripping to remove the dead fur when it is ready to be released. In general, the breed’s coat upkeep is moderate, although bath time is a big process when it comes to scissoring and trimming the whole dog. The Airedale has a large black nose, with close-fitting lips over the strong jaws and can boast a full set of teeth. Airedales have v-shaped ears and dark alert eyes that look forward. The Airedale only has minor body art, natural tattoos which mark the breed, like the black saddle and the beard. The coat, as mentioned, is two or three inches at its longest on the neck and body. The back should be one of the shortest parts of the coat. With the dog standing, an Airedale’s coat should lie off the body and not cling like some other breeds.
3.1. Coat and Color
The Airedale's dense coat is comprised of two distinct types of hair. The outer coat is harsh, wiry, and straight, and it acts as a protective cover for the dog in the field. The coat on the back and sides is generally two to three inches in length and a bit shorter on the neck, chest, belly, and legs. The undercoat is much softer and lies close to the skin to keep the terrier warm. The coat is often described as a non-shedding breed. While Airedales do lose hair, the dead hair usually gets caught in the wiry, crisp coat—much like human hair gets caught in a comb. This is good and bad news for potential dog owners. The good news is: you won't have to vacuum as often. The bad news is: the coat needs a lot of grooming.
The coat should be hand-stripped or hand-plucked twice each year to remove the dead hair. The process is somewhat labor-intensive and may be costly if a professional groomer is employed. Hand-stripping doesn't hurt the dog; in fact, most dogs love the attention. A two-month-old puppy may look a bit hairy and resemble an American Black Bear Cub, but should still be stripped in order to maintain a proper coat texture. The color of an Airedale is another of its distinctions. Although the Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club give lip service to temperament, soundness, and working ability as primary characteristics of the Airedale, it is generally understood that one of the things that make him so appealing to the fancy is his color. A bit of clear red mixed with the black saddle is called for in the breed standard, so dogs with attractive rich colors are eye-catching in the breed ring. Unfortunately, breeders can sometimes get so caught up in developing a rich or red color that other characteristics can suffer. Red in the Airedale Terrier is icing on the cake—it is not the cake itself.
3.2. Size and Proportions
Size and Proportion. The optimal height of a male Airedale is 58-61 cm; a female should stand no less than 56 cm. The maximum male weight is 32 kg, and a bitch might appear somewhat smaller at 20-25 kg. Proportions. The properly built Airedale looks slightly longer than he is tall (at the withers), the ratio being 10:9. The height measurement taken at the withers equals the length of the dog's body, taken from the withers to the point of the buttock bones. The height from the ground to the elbow comprises approximately 50% of the height at the withers. The muzzle length is typically one-third shorter than that of the skull.
Physical characteristics of the Airedale coincide with its goals and purposes. The correct proportion of the length of the front part of the body (from the very beginning of the sternum and up to the elbow) to the neck and the height at the withers allows the dog to enter a narrow pipe and efficiently dig after the prey. The terrier should be expressive and resembling a gentleman, but at the same time there has to be power and soundness about it, a proper terrier look, and the sturdiness that will present the image of courage. The nose leather needs to be black. If the dog has a light coat, it is acceptable to have a liver-colored (light brown) nose leather. In all cases, the nose leather needs to be shiny and moist. The nostrils are well developed. The low-set ears create the image of a proper intelligent terrier with good hearing. The correctly built Airedale appears as long as tall, but with a proportion of 10:9. It is desirable that this ratio will occur in a complete assortment, applying the classic proportion rule.
4. Temperament and Behavior
Airedale Terriers are often remembered for their various quirks, amazing traits, and capabilities, and a distinct look that sets them apart from most other terrier breeds. Beyond their physical attributes, Airedale Terriers are known for a number of behavioral quirks, but it's their well-rounded, mischievous yet loving personality that really steals the show. The breed can exhibit a number of characteristics that are relatively common to most dogs, such as affectionate and playful natures. They are also extremely thoughtful and occasionally will ponder tooth on a perceived injustice. They are normally a notable breed and often just staring at their owner while wagging their tail. However, owners should be prepared for a tempest of trouble if they don't place themselves as the leader in the family group.
While a true personality, the Airedale Terrier has a few commonly identified traits that seem to stand out. However, since all dogs have different personalities, it's important for potential owners to spend enough time with a few different Airedales in order to identify any quirks specific to that canine's character. The Airedale Terrier is known to get along well with children, potentially making it a great family pet. However, some dogs become frustrated with the antics of a child and are not patient enough to sustain incessant bedeviling. Because they are a natural hunting dog, they may not suffer fools willingly, especially if they are not convinced of their authority figures. Not all Airedale Terriers will exhibit this behavior, but it is always wise to separate a small child from the overly zealous touch of any dog or puppy.
4.1. Intelligence and Trainability
The Airedale Terrier has earned its reputation for being extremely intelligent. Indeed, this breed is considered one of the brightest of all dogs. When necessary, Airedales can very quickly learn complex commands or new skills. Their instinctive protective instincts may also cause them to exercise genuine independent thinking, which sometimes manifests in quirks, but also increases their adaptability and cognitive versatility. The monotony of repetitive practice is likely going to bore them, so trainers need to find various methods to keep their minds stimulated. This could include new tricks, going on leashed walks to learn more about the outdoors, or playing challenging, independent problem-solving games. As a matter of fact, Terriers tend to be deprived without mental enrichment and often they can become little shrews.
Terriers were bred specifically to operate independently from human intervention, to effectively search or deliver messages across long distances. With the long legs and brilliant mind required to jump over fences, they can be escape artists if it suits them. Some trained Airedales have been known to bolt out windows in the second story of a home to escape, and experienced trainers have reported Airedales climbing chain-link fences. No amount of positive behavioral training will prevent an Airedale from following its natural instincts. With that said, Terriers have long been shown to be effective search-and-rescue dogs. Raising an adolescent Airedale puppy can be very challenging for a first-time dog owner. Airedales tend to take a longer time to mature in comparison to other breeds. Their rambunctious, boisterous, and lively nature makes them inappropriate for homeschooling assignments. The dogs are not known for being family-friendly, so they can't simply be raised on a leash in an enclosed space.
4.2. Socialization and Interaction with Other Pets
The stubbornness of the Airedale Terrier is often seen as a result of their independent nature. They can be very insistent when confronting new encounters, which is why early socialization is deemed necessary. They have a high prey drive. Many Terrier breeds, including the Airedale, are prone to aggression towards other dogs and smaller animals. One may initially think that being a larger breed, the Airedale would be more suitable for smaller pets. However, a survey conducted with questionnaires returned from Airedale Terrier breeders, owners, and rescue organizations found that the average Airedale Terrier surprisingly does not tolerate cats and other small animals any more than any other breed of dog. Foxes have, however, been known to co-exist with Airedale Terriers.
Airedale Terriers enjoy the company of other Terriers because they love to play aggressively. Due to their strong prey drive, it is not recommended to pair an Airedale Terrier with smaller pets, such as rabbits, rodents, birds, and small reptiles. The breed's boisterous and somewhat rough nature makes them vulnerable to unintentionally harming them. The playful behavior of an Airedale Terrier is often mistaken for a token of aggression or dominance. Yet, on the contrary, they are quick to learn to respect their smaller animal companions. For example, they can easily be taught to co-exist with cats if exposed to them at the puppy stage.
5. Health and Common Medical Conditions
Health
As a breed, the Airedale Terrier does not typically experience an alarming number of severe health issues. They do, however, frequently encounter minor to moderate medical concerns, which are primarily related to aging and a lack of veterinary attention. It is important for all Airedale Terrier owners to ensure their dogs receive regular veterinary check-ups and canine wellness care. Just like humans, the aging process affects all dogs differently based on their genetics, overall health, and lifelong care. It is difficult to predict when the Airedale Terrier may develop symptoms of aging, and some dogs show signs at a young age. While an owner cannot control some aspects of a dog’s health, others are directly influenced by physical care and treatments.
Canine wellness care is a convoluted blend of negative and positive attributes. Translating a lack of symptoms, illnesses, and injuries does not qualify a dog as healthy; it is a series of habits and behavior that culminate their state of wellness and, oftentimes, their lifespan. Too frequently owners underestimate the importance of preventing diseases, illnesses, as well as eliminating risk factors that will adversely affect their Airedale Terrier in the future.
Even in households that have provided their Airedale Terrier with premium care, this breed is known for developing the following health conditions throughout the later stages of life: urinary tract infection, diabetes, orthopedic problems, inflammatory skin disease, dental disease, hyperthyroidism, cancer, and benign tumors. Later-life conditions are further characterized by an increased risk of suffering two or more medical concerns due to the weakness and depletion of body systems. There is also a long list of common health issues that owners of Airedale Terriers see, which spread throughout the different life stages at varying rates.
When seeking medical attention for a health condition, remember that a veterinarian might recommend one or more tests, a therapy, a medication, or a combination of treatments as well as home healthcare strategies. Keep in mind that the final decision is always at the discretion of a professional.
6. Conclusion and Future Research Directions
This article provides a comprehensive review and synthesis of information relevant to the Airedale terrier. As a whole, it shows how a relatively homogeneous written record across 133 years has painted a very consistent picture with regard to the visual traits and behavioral characteristics valued in Airedale terriers, along with the quirks that even the most committed exhibitor finds difficult to abide. Any assessment of increased or decreased popularity of this breed over the years will be highly speculative, but it is clear that the original functions of this breed are valued to the present, including as a terrier, working companion for and hunter of game, guard or watchdog, and a police/military dog. Knowledge of perceived enhanced and major health and welfare risks in this breed may be useful to breed clubs in managing their populations in ways that the less technological infrastructures of the past were unable to do.
In summarizing the main breeds contributing to the creation of the Airedale, a near consensus emerged. Nearly all newspapers in our dataset labelled many of the same terrier and other breeds as prominent in the development of Airedale Terriers. Furthermore, when possible, we presented a second measure of popularity: rate of newspaper mentions or ads per area circulated. We "overlooked" the darling factor which newspaper bias often plays toward newer, rarer breeds and presented the top terrier and working breeds by absolute numbers as evidence of Read investments in this breed that faced a declining interest after the 1920s. And thus, we remind ourselves and those apt to dismiss an oft overlooked or under-examined breed as somehow less important by its "popularity" in a pointed face-off, that the pursuit of our destination may in fact turn out to be a journey of some fascination and value. We wish our readers all the best in their fascinating work with Airedale Terriers and we propose an expanded census study to learn more about the genetic characteristics and mode of inheritance affecting several candidate parasphenoidal traits in the Airedale Terrier that could potentially be validated through prospective studies and, perhaps, the key to new diagnostic insights and therapies that could help to eradicate these diseases.
