The Airedale Terrier
Breed Name: Airedale Terrier
Dog Group: The Terriers
Dog Class: Large
Origin: England
Expected Lifespan: 10-13 years
General Description: There is perhaps no breed of dog that has been improved so much as the Airedale. This beautiful animal can be used as a working dog and also as a hunter. They exhibit some herding characteristics, have a propensity to chase animals and have no problem working with cattle and livestock. Strong-willed, with the tenacity commonly seen in terriers, Airedale has been bred to hunt independently. This active dog with great sense of humor is excellent, entertaining company for the owners who can laugh along with their dog. For those who don't appreciate being outsmarted by their dog, owning an Airedale can be a trying experience.
Temperament: The Airedale Terrier is very intelligent, very independent, strong-minded, stoic dog with a great sense of humor and sometimes can be stubborn.
Grooming Requirements: Coat needs combing twice weekly and scissoring and shaping every one to two months.
Exercise Requirements: Very energetic, and need plenty of exercise.
Ideal Living Conditions: Airedale is excellent companion dog, incomparable guard and also very faithful, reliable and protective family pet, always in the middle of the family activities.
Common Health & Behavioral Problems: Some Airedales suffer from eye diseases, such as congenital retina condition. They can be affected by hip dysplasia and like most terriers, they have a propensity towards dermatitis. Airedales pick up what is wanted from them very quickly, but by being smart, they do not want to keep repeating what they learned and can try to terminate a training session at the point when they "got it", which very often make them difficult to train.
Dog History: The Airedale is not of ancient origin. He was probably first heard of about the year 1850. Yorkshire, more especially that part of it round and about the town of Otley, is responsible for the birth of the Airedale. The Airedale is undoubtedly the product of the Otterhound and the old Black and Tan wire-haired terrier referred to in the chapters on the wire-hair Fox and the Welsh Terriers. When one considers the magnificent nobleness, the great sagacity, courage, and stateliness of the Otterhound, the great gameness, cheek, and pertinacity of the old Black and Tan wire-hair, such a cross must surely produce an animal of excellent type and character.
Note: The Airedale Terrier was originally named Waterside Terrier. After this they went by the name of Bingley Terriers, and eventually they came to be known under their present appellation.
General Breed Standard: The Airedale is very handsome creature, possessing all the points that go to make a really first-class terrier of taking colour, symmetrical build, full of character and "go," amply justifying--in looks, at any rate--its existence as a terrier. When in movement, the legs should be carried straight forward, the forelegs being perpendicular and parallel with the sides. The propulsive power is furnished by the hind legs, perfection of action being found in the Terrier possessing long thighs and muscular second thighs well bent at the stifles, which admit of a strong forward tust or snatch of the hocks.
Head: Long, with flat skull, but not too broad between the ears, narrowing slightly to the eyes, free from wrinkle; stop hardly visible, and cheeks free from fullness; the nose black; the eyes small and dark in colour, not prominent, and full of terrier expression. 
Ears: Should be V-shaped with a side carriage, small, but not out of proportion to the size of the dog.
Mouth: Jaw deep and powerful with normal 'scissors bite', where the top teeth close over the bottom, well filled up before the eyes; lips light;
Neck: The neck should be of moderate length and thickness, gradually widening towards the shoulders and free from throatiness.
Shoulders and Chest: Shoulders long and sloping well into the back, shoulder-blades flat, chest deep, but not broad.
Hindquarters: Strong and muscular, with no drop; hocks well let down; the tail set on high and carried gaily, but not curled over the back.
Legs and Feet: Legs perfectly straight, with plenty of bone; feet small and round with good depth of pad.
Body: Back short, strong and straight; ribs well sprung.
Weigh and Size: Approximately 50 to 70 pounds, being active, agile enough to perform well, while not too small to function as a physical deterrent, retriever or hunter. Airedale terrier males should measure approximately 23 inches in height at the shoulder; bitches, slightly less. There is no mention of a specific weight, although the standard states that Both sexes should be sturdy, well muscled and boned. At 23 to 24 inches. Some breeders have produced larger Airedale Terriers, such as as the 'Oorang Airedale', developed in the 1920s.
Colour: The head and ears, with the exception of dark markings on each side of the skull, should be tan, the ears being a darker shade than the rest, the legs up to the thigh and elbows being also tan, the body black or dark grizzle.
Coat: Hard and wiry, and not so long as to appear ragged; it should also be straight and close, covering the dog well over the body and legs.