Airedale Terrier according to Sadie!
Grandma and I sit on the patio and watch my roommate, Walter, the Otterhound, run around the yard and then jump into his kiddie pool and cool off.
Grandma asked me if I knew that Otterhounds were used to produce what we now know as Airdale Terriers and of course I said no. This made Gram let me in on all the details about a breed I knew nothing about, and now I know more than I want to.
However, both Gram and I thought you might want to know, so here’s the story.
This is a lively, intelligent, non-shedding dog that will outsmart you if given the chance. The Airdale Terrier is a relatively modern breed that first appeared in the second half of the 19th century. About 200 years ago in England, some farmers decided to cross a black and tan terrier with an otterhound in the hope of getting a dog that had all the good sides of the terrier (agility, sight and hearing) as well as the sense of tracking of the hound.
Farmers were looking for a dog that would hunt small prey such as badgers and weasels that roamed the land, and one that also enjoyed the water. Their end result was a wonderful dog that became very popular for fox hunting, which was a great sport in the past.
The breed was known as the Waterside Terrier or Bingely Terrier until 1886 when the Kennel Club of England renamed it the Airedale Terrier.
The breed only gained popularity after the First World War, where it was used by both the British and German armies. These dogs served as messengers and as ambulance dogs. They were known for their ability to withstand serious injury and still deliver their messages, and when used as ambulance dogs, they saved many lives through their ability to sniff out and locate wounded soldiers on the battlefield.
After the war, this breed became a favorite of presidents, movie stars and other celebrities. Presidents including Teddy Roosevelt, Calvin Coolidge and Warren Harding owned and admired these brave, intelligent and highly adaptable dogs.
However, with the success of Rin Tin Tin the German Shepherd and Lassie the Rough Collie, the Airedale fell out of favor as the most popular dog in the United States. Today, Airdale can be found in most places around the world. In Germany, he was trained as a schutzhound, which showed his skills in obedience, tracking and protection. The Airdale has never lost its ability to be a strong “working dog” as they are natural athletes and can be found in Europe working as search and rescue dogs
The Airedale Terrier is a great companion, he is a protector of his home and family and loves to play. Airedales are not barkers, but when they do, you need to be aware of why they are barking. They will talk to you in different sounds and some are known as “great snores”.
Health wise they are quite healthy and will live 10 to 12 years of life. A few Airedales are known to have hip dysplasia, some suffer from skin allergies and thyroid imbalances.
Males stand about 23 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh about 65 pounds; females are slightly shorter and about 5 pounds lighter. Their coat is what is known as a double coat, a tough outer coat over a softer undercoat (similar to an Otterhound). They also have longer hair around their muzzles and along the entire length of their legs. The coat should never be curly, but there may be a soft wool, especially on the saddle. Airdales are usually brown or reddish in color with a black saddle that often extends from high on the neck over the body and tail.
To maintain show quality fur, what is known as “hand stripping” is required, a procedure that can be learned by the owner but is time consuming. It actually takes about three months to achieve, which is why most owners prefer to have a groomer trim their dogs, resulting in a softer coat and a lighter color.
If you are looking for a dog that is intelligent, does not shed, is easy to train and is devoted, this is the breed to choose. Many owners say that this is the only breed that “baby sits”. This dog is naturally alert, makes an excellent watchdog, and can be trained to perform all the duties of a working police dog.
However, this dog requires mental and physical stimulation, it will outdo you if given the chance, you need a sense of humor to have this dog as it has a mind of its own. Airdales have a clownish streak, and if not trained early on, you’ll find that they’d rather make you laugh than follow certain commands. They can be stubborn and will not forgive rough treatment. They are tougher than any trainer and need a firm but gentle hand. They need to be socialized at an early age, need lots of exercise and company, a fenced yard. When walking around other dogs, do not use a retractable leash as you need full control of that dog if it is not like a dog he/she sees.
Airedales are good with children (as always never leave a small child alone with any dog) and are quite good with other pets. If you have other pets, it is best to get a puppy to raise with the other pets.
Airedales can be controlled as they grow and need someone who has the time to give them the training and attention they need. You need patience, the ability to afford the cost of care, you need to be authoritative, firm and gentle at the same time. If you can fill that bill, the Airdale Terrier is the dog for you.
Well, that’s all Grandma and I know about the Airdales, and it helps me understand my roommate Walter a little better. The traits of the Otterhound are very similar to that Airdale breed we talked about.
I hope you found this interesting and until next time, I remain your Sadie (the American Bulldog) writing with the help of her grandmother.
#Airedale #Terrier #Sadie
