Airedale

Who any order is sensible

Understands from a half-word,

Who, without demanding awards,

Is it happy to be around?

Everyone knows this. These are not words.

There is no creature of a devoted dog!

Loyal dog, affectionate dog,

There is no creature more cheerful than a dog!

Perhaps this song by E. Krylatov to the verses of Y. Entin, sounded in the film “The Adventures of Electronics” more than half a century ago, most fully and succinctly describes the Airedale Terriers. Harmoniously combining the courage of hunters and the intelligence of service dogs, they have long and firmly taken a place in the hearts of many people around the world.

History of origin

The Airedale Terrier originates from England, where it was bred in the middle of the XNUMXth century by crossing several hunting breeds (in particular, hounds, Welsh Terriers and some others). The challenge for dog breeders was to get a strong, courageous and versatile dog that could not only, like other terriers, fight game in a hole, but also track it, and also become strong enough to work on a larger animal: a raccoon and a wild boar.

The result is a beautiful, medium-sized rough-haired dog that fully satisfies all these requirements. The breed was named after the Eyre River, in the valley of which it appeared. Dogs quickly gained popularity, and by the end of the century they were used both by aristocrats, competing in the hunt for water rats, and by the poor. It is not surprising – in addition to good working qualities, the Airedales could boast of unpretentiousness in content and intelligence.

But in the twentieth century, these dogs had to completely retrain, changing their hunting specialty to a service one. During the First World War, the Airedales served at the front, delivering reports and working at hospitals – they looked for wounded soldiers and brought orderlies to them. The subtle flair that the Airedales inherited from the hounds was also indispensable for finding mines. And it was the military service that glorified these dogs, because they showed themselves to be real heroes, sometimes helping people at the cost of their lives.

In peacetime, Airedale Terriers continued to serve in the police and the army, and during the Second World War they returned to the front again.

In our country, they learned about the breed during the Russo-Japanese War, and the Airedales also quickly gained popularity. In the Soviet Union, they were successfully used as guard and search dogs. And the Airedale Terriers received real national love after the release of the children’s science fiction film “The Adventures of Electronics” – everyone tried to get themselves the same smart and cute dog as the cinematic Rassy.

Breed description

Strong and athletic dog of medium height is the embodiment of energy and activity. The head is rectangular, without a clear transition from the forehead to the nose, the eyes are small. The ears are semi-pendulous, bent forward, the neck is strong, the chest is deep, the back is straight. The tail is thick, set high, carried upwards, sometimes twisted into a ring. Previously, the tails were docked by 2/3, now they are most often left.

The coat is coarse, hard, of medium length, neither wavy nor excessively soft. Dogs do not shed, but need to comb out the undercoat (otherwise it falls like felt) and trimming twice a year. Before exhibitions, dogs are trimmed: the hair on the body is cut short, leaving length on the muzzle, where a beard and mustache are formed, and on the paws.

The color is only black-backed: the back and sides are black or gray, the lower part is red.

Photos

Character

The Airedale Terrier combines the best character traits of both hunting and service dogs. From the terriers he got a lively temperament, constant readiness for action, complete fearlessness and a sense of humor, but the campaigners rewarded him with an increased sense of responsibility, intelligence and the desire to protect the owners and home to the last drop of blood. It was these qualities that helped the Airedales during the war years to cope with the most difficult tasks, not sparing their own lives.

These dogs can definitely be called family dogs, because they are very devoted to their owners, do not have a soul in children, with whom they are ready to play all day long, and get along well with other pets.

Being mobile and athletic dogs, Airedales are always happy to have any opportunity to run and frolic, and if they manage to involve their owners in this, there will be no limit to the happiness of dogs. They lend themselves to education very well, however, like all terriers, they can be stubborn.

And these dogs are very social. They are so focused on a person that they catch his mood with all the fibers of the soul. Not for nothing they make excellent guides for the blind.

Care and maintenance

Airedale Terriers were deliberately bred to be a very unpretentious breed. They tolerate wet and cold weather well, do not catch colds, so if they have an equipped enclosure and a warm booth, they can live in the yard.

But their beautiful coat requires some attention and care. These dogs do not shed on their own, so the dead hair must be combed out with a brush several times a week, and besides trimmed, otherwise the dog will become shaggy and ugly.

Erdeli are very mobile and active, so if you are not a fan of long walks, it is better to opt for another breed. With these dogs, you need to walk a lot, and, moreover, it should be not only sedate walks in the park, but trips to nature, where the Airedale can be let off the leash and let him frolic to his heart’s content. The more energy spent outside, the less energy will be left to destroy the apartment and the more balanced and happier your dog will be.

Education and training

This cannot be neglected in any way, otherwise you can grow an uncontrollable and capricious dog. From a very early age, the puppy needs to be taught the rules of behavior in the house. He must learn his name, as well as understand what “to me”, “fu” and “place” are. After that, you can start learning more complex commands.

I must say that because of the “terrier” stubbornness, raising a shaggy friend will require a lot of patience from you, but the result is worth the effort, because you will get an adequate dog that catches your every desire. If, in the process of training, the dog pretends that he does not understand you (and he just pretends, because this breed has an extraordinary intellect), then in no case should you be nervous and lose your temper. Be calm, confident and persistent, but do not turn to violence – this will only show your own weakness.

Pay special attention to walking nearby while the puppy is still small. After all, an adult Airedale is a fairly large and very strong dog that you simply cannot hold.

Health and disease

The health of the Airedales is quite strong, but they also have various diseases. These are allergies, eye problems, hernia, joint dysplasia and others. And in order to avoid at least common diseases, such as distemper or enteritis, do not forget to vaccinate on time. Also be sure to treat your dog for fleas and ticks and do not forget to clean her ears and trim her nails.

Also, be sure to follow the proper nutrition of your four-legged friend. If it is a natural food, then it should contain a sufficient amount of vitamins, proteins and carbohydrates. The amount of food is also important – from frequent overfeeding, dogs quickly gain weight, which is not the best way for their health. Underfeeding, especially in childhood, is fraught with rickets, developmental delays, growth and other pathologies.

Word to the breeder

Anastasia Kozlovskaya (Ryazan), the owner of a wonderful dog named Victoria, writes about the Airedales: “Airedales are human-oriented companions, easy to train, active, comfortable at home and well suited for work, and in addition to all of the above, they are also long-lived.

The first Airedale Terrier appeared in the family, thanks to my father Yuri Kozlovsky, and lived with us for 14,5 years. And after that, the parents were ready only for the Eredl Terrier. So we got Victoria, at home we call her Tori. She perfectly guards a country house, plays with children and relatives, and also overcomes long distances on walks with horses.

Due to the low popularity of the breed, it retained its qualities well and was not spoiled by illiterate breeding, which is no less important in our time.

In the modern world, Airedales are used in search and rescue services, for hunting, in agility and other sports disciplines, but most importantly, they are worthy of appreciation in families with children.

But we must never forget that no matter how excellent qualities dogs of any breed possess, all dogs require training and a learning process.

She shared her love for the breed with Healthy Food Near Me Galina Vorobieva, breeder of the Moscow kennel “Iz sparrow’s nest”: “Erdelis are now unpopular: the dog is not small and the hairdresser requires special treatment of wool (trimming), since they do not shed, and the hair must be plucked. Few people want to learn to pinch themselves, and many people feel sorry for the money for a groomer.

But the Airedale is beautiful, and I mean not only the appearance, but also the mind, ingenuity, great intelligence. He is always positive, active, multi-talented. And as a service dog, and as a search engine, and as a companion. It is also used for cross-country skiing – you know, those with a person in a bundle.

Erdel is very benevolent, friendly, affectionate. But this is an independent dog, he can be stubborn. You need to be able to negotiate with him, walk a lot and play.

Very good with children, non-aggressive.

I have been with these red muzzles for almost thirty years and every time I am surprised by their capabilities and optimistic outlook on life!”

And here is what he said Jan Monin, Administrator of the Airedale Burrow Group and a big lover of the breed: “The Airedales are fantastic. So much so that sometimes even seasoned Erdelists are amazed.

How is everyone? There are advantages and there is a reverse side of the coin. Any disadvantages associated with virtues. And on the reverse side of the Airedale … also dignity. How is it, you ask?

But: the Airedale Terrier has a bright, festive appearance. Perhaps such an appearance requires great care? No, caring for him in an apartment is easier than that of a practical service breed.

On vacation, you will not get bored with the Airedale. He will amuse you and ten friends, if necessary. Oh, so this is a restless joyful fool? And here and there, if necessary, it is not seen and not heard. At the same time, it is an inconspicuous, subtle, wise friend. I will compare him with the clown and artist Yuri Nikulin.

By nature, the Airedale has zero aggression towards people. This means that he will not cause trouble with malice either to you or to others. At the same time, after appropriate training, it can guard and protect the owner at the prize level.

This is how the Airedale expands the scope of the possible, combining seemingly incompatible virtues.

If you work with the Airedale Terrier, educate and train, then you will grow up a friend and helper, whom you have never seen smarter.”

Irina Fokina, breeder of Sterling NAS kennel from St. Petersburg also spoke about the breed: “Airdale Terrier? Who is he? Airedale Terrier can do anything! He is a great friend, he is an athlete, he is a security guard, he is a protector, he is a hunter. Erdel can be taught everything. This is a dog that is ready for any boil. Mobile, playful, perky, fast, always making a decision himself, but at the same time obedient! But at home they are like cats – compact and cozy.

A well-groomed show Airedale Terrier is a work of art! And with all his proud air, the Airedale proves that he really is the “King of Terriers”.

Popular questions and answers

We asked to answer questions about the maintenance of Airedale Terriers zoo engineer, veterinarian Anastasia Kalinina.