Airedale Terrier

Airedale Terriers have a very energetic, intelligent, independent and clownish nature. Dog sports can provide stimulation such as retrieving, flyball, frisbee, hunt and field trials, herding, sledding, carting, agility, tracking and both rally and standard obedience whilst increasing family bonds.

They are great jogging companions and also enjoy retrieving items such as tennis balls and floating toys as they are excellent swimmers.

Due to their exhuberant tendency extremely close supervision is required when they are around children to prevent accidental injury to the child or dog. This also avoids the dog subsequently developing fear-based defensive aggression.

Airedale Terrier History:

Airedale Terriers date back to the eighteenth century in the regions of Airedale and Wharfedale in Yorkshire, England. It is thought they are the descendants of the Old English Black-and-Tan Terrier, the Broken-Coated Working Terrier and the Rough-Coated Black-and-Tan Terrier. Airedale Terriers were originally developed to guard against vermin, such as mice and rats.

In 1853, the Airedale Terrier was crossed with the Otterhound, leading to an increased swimming ability, a better sense of smell and a larger size, making them suitable for the hunting of larger game. They have not always been known by their current name originally being referred to as Working Terriers and Waterside Terriers.

The Airedale Terrier has been used by the police and the military because of their excellent gundog and retrieving skills. In 1886 the breed was officially recognised by the Kennel Club and in 1888 by the American Kennel Club.