01 History
Description
This article is from the Airedale Terrier Breed FAQ, by Kathy Dowd with numerous contributions by others.
01 History
The Valley of the Aire in West Riding, Yorkshire, was the birthplace
of the Airedale Terrier. The exact date is unknown but indications are
that the breed began to be developed in the middle of the nineteenth
century. They were bred as an answer to the average factory workers
desire to hunt otter. To hunt this game properly required a pack of
Otterhounds and a "Terrier" or two.
The Airedale is believed to be the "Old English Black-and-Tan
Terrier," the "Broken-coated Working Terrier" and the "Rough-coated
Black-and-Tan Terrier" outcrossed to the Otter Hound among others. All
accounts of the "creation" of the point to a possible cross with a
Border Collie or some other sheepdog. Some accounts also point to the
Bull Terrier, while others insist that this outcross never took place.
These dogs were known for their gritty ability to take on any
adversary and give a good account of themselves. They were broken to
guns and trained to retrieve. They were fierce competitors in the
water-rat matches. Albert Payson Terhune sums up the Airedale
concisely: "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 dog. Out of the experiments emerged the
modern Airedale. He is swift, formidable, graceful, big of brain, an
ideal chum and guard. There is almost nothing he cannot be taught if
his trainer has the slightest gift of teaching. Every inch of him is
in use. No flabby by-products. A PERFECT MACHINE--a machine with a
BRAIN, PLUS." The first Airedale known to come to America was Bruce
brought over by C. H. Mason. Bruce was the sire of Bess, who was the
dam of Airedale Jerry, root of the family tree.
Airedales have successfully mastered everything from big-game hunting,
coon-hunting, being excellent police dogs to obedience work. Not every
Airedale excels in every area but over time many have done a variety
of duties very well.
Today Airedales are still used as hunting dogs, watch dogs and even
obedience and agility dogs, but they are, first and foremost,
faithful, loyal and entertaining companions.
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