The Airedale originated in an area of Yorkshire, England
between the Aire and the Wharfe Rivers, as the working
man's sporting dog. Otters fished the rivers and rats were
an ever present problem. Under such circumstances the
ideal sporting dog combination would be a few water dogs
to hunt the otter, and a couple of terriers to take care of the
rats - a combination beyond the means of the average working
man. The next best thing was to combine the bloods of both
types of dog in the hope that the progeny would inherit all the
desired working abilities. Such a cross was made in 1853. A
Rough-Coated Black and Tan Terrier was mated to an
Otterhound and the result was a dog that could swim and
scent game, and was possessed of the keenness of the terrier.
More such crosses followed, and within twelve years the
Waterside Terrier, as these cross-breeds were known, became
a popular local sporting terrier. Working ability counted for more
than appearance and it is said that these early dogs were a
mixed lot. In 1864 these terriers were exhibited for the first time
at a championship dog show sponsored by the Airedale Agricultural Society. They were classified under various names including
Rough-Coated, Bingley, and Waterside Terrier. This situation
prevailed for the next few years when in 1879, fanciers decided
to call their breed the Airedale Terrier. The name was accepted
by The Kennel Club of England in 1886.
Airedales were first brought to this country from England in the early
1880's. Their exploits as determined messengers in World War I
made the Airedale a hero. Their reputation combined with their
personable temperament produced a meteoric rise in popularity,
and by the early 1920's the Airedale was the most popular breed
of dog in America. As a consequence, breeders more interested
in money than in preservation of proper breed characteristics and
standards flooded the continent with dogs of diminishing quality,
widely varying sizes and notably inferior temperaments. Lovers of
the breed have stood by their favorite, steadily improving breed
quality over the years.
Thus, the present-day Airedale has come a long way from its
rough-looking progenitor. Today's properly bred and cared for
Airedales have all the intelligence and ability originally found in
the breed, but in a more stylish, yet majestic look. Airedales are
probably the most versatile of terriers, having been bred to hunt
fur and feather, retrieve over land and water, and used as a pit
fighter, ratter, herder, wartime guard and messenger, police dog,
and as a guide dog for the blind. Needless to say that a dog of
such a multitalented heritage has also excelled in obedience. He
is today, more worthy than ever of his title "King of the Terriers."
When God made the earth and sky
The flowers and the trees
He then made all the animals
And all the birds and bees
And when he was finished
No one was quite the same,
He said "I'll walk this earth of mine
And give you all a name.
And so he traveled land and sea,
And everywhere he went
A little creature followed him
Until his strength was spent.
When all were named upon the earth
And in the sky and sea,
The little creature said "Dear Lord
There's not one left for me!"
The Father smiled and softly said
"I've left you till the end.
I've turned my own name back to front
And called you DOG my friend."
(author unknown)
