Airedale Terrier Breed Profile
The first show classes for Airedales were arranged at the Airedale Agricultural Society's 1879 show at Bingley, Yorkshire. The Airedale Terrier is the largest member of the Terrier Group, and is considered long-legged for a terrier, although the term "normal" legged would actually be more correct. Developed along the riverbanks of the Aire in Yorkshire county, among the Airedale's ancestors are the Black and Tan Brokenhaired Terrier and the Otterhound, this latter used to improve the water capabilities of the Airedale. The breed was developed to hunt otter originally; it is actually too big to go to ground, as most Terriers do. Airedales also have ability as police and military dogs, and in fact during World War I, were used extensively. The standard for Airedales is more or less that of the Fox Terrier, except for the size and color, of course. Due to their Otterhound genes, they have more ability to follow a trail by scent than most Terriers, and their barking may sound like a hound's barking. Airedales are also used to hunt big game in Africa, India, Canada, and the United States.