The Airedale is the largest of the terriers — the “King of Terriers” — standing around 58 cm at the withers.
The Airedale Terrier is a medium-large, athletic, lively and cheerful dog with plenty of initiative. ts coat is wire-haired, harsh to the touch, slightly wavy, with a black, glossy saddle and tan on the head, chest and limbs.
The breed does not shed but regular hand-stripping .
It is an ideal family dog, oves and needs long walks regardless of the weather. With the right training it can be an excellent working dogfrom hunting, to guide work even sled pulling.
It matures relatively late, truly becoming adult around two years of age. Young dogs especially need generous yet consistent upbringing, the Airedale, with its winning charm and intelligence, will readily try to push its own agenda.
The breed is generally healthy and can be a faithful companion for 12–13 years.
History:
Over a century ago in Yorkshire (England), local dogs were selectively bred to create a versatile worker suited to the tasks and terrain of the area. Understanding those early breeding goals helps explain today’s Airedale character: a hardy, all-purpose dog, effective on land and in water, equally at home catching rats or driving cattle.
The River Aire in Yorkshire rises in the Pennine Hills at around 700 metres, among pasture-dotted slopes, then runs on through the coal-rich industrial region of the Aire Valley before emptying into the Ouse—broadening over its last 60 kilometres to become navigable. The miners, hunters, farmers and livestock traders who lived here needed a simple, tough, clever and versatile dog they could use for virtually any task: a hunter on land and in water, a dog that would retrieve pheasant yet catch rats, and even help drive cattle.
The local dogs of the time did not yet share a uniform appearance. In shaping the breed, people likely drew on the Otterhound, Bull Terrier, Old English Terrier, and perhaps even the Gordon Setter—the latter to improve coat colour and retrieving ability. Over time the dog population of the Aire Valley became more and more consistent, and the emerging, reliable all-rounder found supporters far beyond the region. Owing to its working nature it was called the “working terrier,” and—much like the smaller, then-working Yorkshire Terrier—the “waterside terrier.” For a while it even bore the name of the local town Bingley, before Judge Dr. Gordon Stadles first called it the Airedale Terrier in 1878. In 1881 the writer and cynologist Shaw wrote the following in one of his books: „The Airedale Terrier is the universal dog of the settlements in the Aire Valley. It is used for all kinds of waterfowl, but it is also a useful helper to the trap-setting poachers, for at a word of command and in complete silence it searches the hedges and thickets, driving the crouching rabbits into the nets.”
Show line
Until 1957 it was generally believed that the first dog show was held in 1859 at Newcastle-on-Tyne. Later research, however, revealed an even earlier English event in Cleveland more than a decade before that, where terriers, toy (companion) dogs and spaniels were exhibited. In the 1840s several shows were organised for these same breeds, and it was not uncommon for terrier owners to take part in a rat-catching contest with their dogs later the very same day.
The first champion show took place in Birmingham in December 1859, at first only for hunting dogs. In the following years terriers were also admitted. The fast-growing popularity of shows meant any dog owner could enter; with no governing body yet, things could become rather chaotic. In 1873 the Kennel Club was finally founded in England and the Stud Book was opened. The first volume—600 pages—registered 4,027 dogs, but you won’t yet find the name Airedale Terrier there: examples of the breed of that era appear among the wire-haired terriers in the “non-sporting” group (the other group then being “sporting”). In the next volume a separate terrier group already appears. Since “sporting” in this context refers to hunting, it is curious that terriers were initially listed among the “non-sporting” dogs
In the Aire Valley, the first dog show was held in 1864 within the Keighley Agricultural Show, with a separate class for “broken-haired” terriers. The Airedale also appeared here—then still under the name Waterside Terrier. By 1879 the term Bingley Terrier was also in use. That year a noted authority, Hugh Dalziel, judged at the Bingley show and subsequently reported on an excellent Bingley Terrier; his publication sparked broad interest in the breed. Long-time enthusiasts campaigned to have Bingley recognised as the breed’s place of origin. A year earlier Dr. Gordon Stables had judged in the town and, in his show report, used the name Airedale Terrier. Over the next few years several names remained in circulation, until from 1886 the Kennel Club recorded the breed in its Stud Book as the Airedale Terrier.
Among the show stars and foundation sires of the time, the name Airedale Jerry is worth noting. Through Ich. Warland Ditton, this dog appears directly in countless modern lines. The true “Adam” of the breed is in fact Jerry’s sire, Rattler, but the son became even more famous. A 1913 description portrays Jerry as a large, strong-boned dog with a long, typey head and a truly hard, wiry coat. Jerry sired Ch. Cholmondeley Briar, the dog after whom the first breed description was written. Over a career that began at six months of age, Briar won 170 first prizes and earned the breed’s first CC (Challenge Certificate).
Today
The true Airedale Terrier is still a superb, eye-catching show dog. But success takes more than decent anatomy: the dog must be prepared and presented perfectly. For coat work and show preparation, first seek guidance from your breeder—grooming is a craft, even an art. The other key to success is handling in the ring. A structurally excellent, well-stripped dog will impress any judge, but only the dog whose handler showcases its strengths at the right moment and with the right emphasis can win. Start from puppyhood to accustom your dog to calm, confident touching and stacking so you can help it assume its most advantageous stance. It isn’t sorcery to set your dog up for a few seconds at home—say, on the grooming table during hand-stripping. A dog always looks best in the natural pose it takes on its own; good handling supports that natural outline. Likewise, practise movement: every dog has its ideal pace at which it looks most free and ground-covering—learn your dog’s.
The Airedale’s versatility shines today as a family companion, yet it can also bring great joy as a sport and working dog. One thing is certain: you won’t be bored. Lively, spirited and ready for action, the Airedale always wants a new task and insists on being part of everything that’s happening.