The Airedale Terrier , also called
Bingley Terrier and Waterside Terrier, is a dog breed of the terrier type that
originated in the valley (dale) of the River Aire, in the West Riding of
Yorkshire, England. It is traditionally called the "King of Terriers"
because it is the largest of the terrier breeds. The Airedale was bred from the
Old English Black and Tan Terrier (now extinct), the Bull Terrier, the
Otterhound and probably some other Terrier breeds, originally to serve as an
all around working farm dog. In Britain this breed has also been used as a war
dog, guide dog and police dog. In the United States, this breed has been used
to hunt big game, upland birds, and water fowl, and serve in many other working
capacities.
Description
Appearance
The
Airedale is the largest of the British terriers. They weigh 19–25 kilograms
(42–55 lb) in fit condition and have a height at the withers of 58–61
centimetres (23–24 in) for males, with females slightly smaller. The American
Kennel Club standard specifies a very slightly smaller dog. Larger Airedales,
up to 55 kilograms (121 lb) can sometimes be found in North America. They are
sometimes referred to as "Oorangs" as this was the name of a kennel
in Ohio in the early 1900s that produced this much larger variation.
The
Airedale has a medium-length black and tan coat with a harsh topcoat and a soft
undercoat. They are an alert and energetic breed, "not aggressive but
fearless." It has been claimed that the larger "Oorang" type
Airedales are more eager than the smaller, breed standard Airedales, but this
is not necessarily so. The large type have been used for big game hunting and
as family guardians or as pets, but usually do poorly in AKC (American Kennel
Club) conformation shows. This larger type is also significantly more prone to
hip dysplasia than the standard Airedales.
Coat
Like
many terriers, the breed has a 'broken' coat, which is hard and wiry. It is
meant to be kept not so long as to appear ragged, and lies straight and close,
covering body and legs. The outer coat is hard, wiry and stiff, the undercoat
softer. The hardest coats are crinkly or just slightly waved. Curly soft coats
are highly undesirable.
The
coat is hypoallergenic, tending not to generate allergic reactions in people.
Airedales
bearing undercoats are generally groomed by hand stripping where a small
serrated edged knife is used to pull out loose hair from the dog's coat. Most Airedales require frequent (6 to 8 weeks) clipping or stripping as they do
not shed.
The
AKC breed standard states that the correct coat color is either a black saddle,
with a tan head, ears and legs; or a dark grizzle saddle (black mixed with gray
and white). Grizzle that is a mix of red hair in the black, often on the area
of back before the tail are often the best and harshest coats. There are,
however, examples of non-standard black-coated and "red" (tan) coated
Airedales, (the solid colored Airedales are NOT able to be AKC registered,
since they are deviations from breed standard and have yet to be proven
'purebred' Airedale Terriers.) There are also the short coated
"Redline" type Airedales, they appear to be genetic throwbacks in
looks to the Airedale's early days when the breed's coats were much shorter
than today's Airedale. Even with their shorter coat they still have the same
hard wiry outer coat with a soft under coat and fall well within the criteria
of the breed standard and therefore can be AKC registered and most are
registered.
Tail
Traditionally
the fluffy tail is long and erect. In most European countries and Australia it
is illegal to dock dogs' tails unless it is for the dog's benefit (e.g., if the
tail is broken). This has resulted in the emergence of a spitz tail in some dogs.
Selective breeding should see this change over time and the required slightly
curled tail set high on the back again become common.
In
other parts of the world the Airedale's tail is commonly docked within five
days of birth, but this is not considered a breed standard custom. To show an
Airedale in the United States, the official AKC standard states "The root
of the tail should be set well up on the back. It should be carried gaily but
not curled over the back. It should be of good strength and substance and of
fair length."
Size
Airedales
weigh approximately 35 - 50 pounds, being active and agile enough to perform
well, while not too small to function as a physical deterrent, retriever or
hunter. Some breeders have produced larger Airedale Terriers, such as the
'Oorang Airedale', developed in the 1920s.
Ex-Army
captain and Airdale breeder Walter Lingo's monthly magazine "Oorang Comments"
, stated that "When full grown your Airedale dog will weigh from forty to
fifty-five pounds and if a female will weigh slightly less. This is the
standard weight, but when required, we can furnish oversized Airedales whose
weight will be from sixty to one hundred pounds."
Because
Lingo tried to fill orders for everyone, the Oorang strain size was never
standardized. Airedales weighing from 40 to 100 pounds were produced, but for
the most part they were approximately 50 pounds and 22 to 24 inches at the
shoulder. In the United States, the males Airedales measure 40 to 70 pounds,
with Oorang strain typically in 80 pounds to 120 pounds range.
Temperament
The
Airedale can be used as a working dog and also as a hunting dog. Airedales
exhibit some herding characteristics as well, and have a propensity to chase
animals. They have no problem working with cattle and livestock. However, an
Airedale that is not well trained will agitate and annoy the animals.
The
Airedale Terrier, like most terriers, has been bred to hunt independently. As a
result, the dog is very intelligent, independent, strong-minded, stoic, and can
sometimes be stubborn. If children and Airedale are both trained correctly,
Airedales can be an excellent choice for a family dog. Airedales can do well
with cats and other small animals, especially when they are raised with them.
Albert
Payson Terhune wrote of the Airedale: "Among the mine-pits of the Aire,
the various groups of miners each sought to develop a dog which could outfight
and outhunt and outthink the other miner's dogs. Tests of the first-named
virtues were made in inter-mine dog fights. Bit by bit, thus, an active,
strong, heroic, compactly graceful and clever dog was evolved – the earliest
true form of the Airedale.
He
is swift, formidable, graceful, big of brain, an ideal chum and guard. ....To
his master he is an adoring pal. To marauders he is a destructive lightning
bolt."
Health
Airedale
Terriers in UK, USA, and Canadian surveys had a median lifespan of about 11.5
years,which is similar to other breeds of their size.
In a
2004 UK Kennel Club survey, the most common causes of death were cancer
(39.5%), old age (14%), urologic (9%), and cardiac (7%). In a 2000–2001
USA/Canada Health Survey, the most common causes of death were cancer (38%),
urologic (17%), old age (12%), and cardiac (6%) A very hardy breed, although
some may suffer from eye problems, hip dysplasia and skin infections.
Airedales
can be affected by hip dysplasia. Like most terriers, they have a propensity
towards dermatitis. Skin disorders may go unnoticed in Airedales, because of
their hard, dense, wiry coats. Itchy skin may be manifest as acral lick
dermatitis (also known as lick granuloma; caused by licking one area
excessively) or acute moist dermatitis or "hot spots" (an
oppressively itchy, inflamed and oozing patch of skin, made worse by intense
licking and chewing). Allergies, dietary imbalances, and under/over-productive
thyroid glands are the main causes of skin conditions.
An
Airedale's coat was originally designed to protect the dog from its
predators—the coat was designed to come out in the claws of the predator the
dog was designed to hunt, leaving the dog unharmed. Because of this, some forms
of skin dermatitis can respond to hand stripping the coat. Clipping the coat
cuts the dead hair, leaving dead roots within the hair follicles. It is these
dead roots which can cause skin irritations. However, hand stripping removes
these dead roots from the skin and stimulates new growth.
Gastric
dilatation volvulus, also known as bloat, affects Airedale Terriers. The
stomach can twist and block the esophagus, causing a buildup of gas and leading
to cardiovascular collapse and death. Signs of bloat include gastric distress
(stomach pain), futile attempts at vomiting, and increased salivation. Bloat
usually occurs when the dog is exercised too soon after eating. They will eat
up to 4-6 cups of food at a time.
Due
to the breed's stoic nature, injuries can go unnoticed for a time as the dog
will not give obvious signs of pain or distress like whining. For example, the
first indication of a cut on the foot might be limping or favoring that foot a
few days after the actual injury, so owners should be aware of their pets usual
movement to spot irregularities. Excessive licking of a spot may also indicate
a problem other than the skin conditions listed above.
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