Black Airedale Terrier
The black Airedale Terrier
Quite a few local Airedale Terrier owners that I’ve talked to here in San Diego, didn’t seem to realize that there was an all black Airedale Terrier. But, the reality is that they have been around for quite some time. Although not recognized by the AKC, through registration into their system, the fact remains that they exist and have exactly the same characteristics as the standard black and tan Airedales. Black Airedale Terrier *CORRECTION to video -The breeder has been breeding Airedales for 33 years!
So, if you love Airedale Terriers, and can appreciate and all black Airedale Terrier, you definitely have an opportunity to stand out from the crowd by owning one of these fun-loving intelligent animals.black Airedale Terrier
black Airedale Terrier
Personally, having owned four traditional black and tan Airedale terriers, I’m partial to the traditional coloring. But, with that said, I can definitely see people who love the Airedale traits and personality wanting an all-black Airedale Terrier.
Sure I can understand some people thinking that the traditional black and tan coloring defines the breed, but I personally think it’s more the characteristics/physical appearance, combined with their inbred characteristics that define the Airedale breed.
So, If someone wanted to get an all-black Airedale Terrier, why not? I mean there are white German Shepherds, so why not a black Airedale Terrier?
Also, I’d like to say that I have an upcoming video of a red Airedale Terrier that I met in person and thought he was one very handsome fellow!
Airedale Terriers are truly one of a kind! Yes, the Airedale Terriers are lovely-natured charismatic dogs and really affectionate too! Plus, the Airedale is VERY smart and fun loving! Airedales have wonderful dispositions and are easily trained. The Airedale Terrier, the largest member of the terrier group, is known to admirers as the King of Terriers. Long live the King! Airedales have broad versatility, intelligence, and unswerving loyalty.
*You may like to view my video of the red Airedale Terrier.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: The Airedale Terrier (often shortened to “Airedale”), also called Bingley Terrier and Waterside Terrier, is a dog breed of the terrier type that originated in the valley (dale) of the River Aire, in the West Riding of Yorkshire, England. It is traditionally called the “King of Terriers” because it is the largest of the terrier breeds. The Airedale was bred from the Old English Black and Tan Terrier (now extinct), the Bull Terrier, the Otterhound and probably some other Terrier breeds, originally to serve as a versatile hunting and all around working farm dog. In Britain this breed has also been used as a war dog, guide dog and police dog. In the United States, this breed has been used to hunt big game, upland birds, and water fowl, and serve in many other working capacities.
The Airedale can be used as a working dog and also as a hunting dog. Airedales exhibit some herding characteristics as well, and have a propensity to chase animals. They have no problem working with cattle and livestock. However, an Airedale that is not well trained will agitate and annoy the animals. Airedales have generally long puppy hoods and tend to be more difficult to train in their youth.
The Airedale Terrier, like most terriers, has been bred to hunt independently. As a result, the dog is very intelligent, independent, strong-minded, stoic, and can sometimes be stubborn. If children and Airedales are both trained correctly, Airedales can be an excellent choice for a family dog. Airedales can do well with cats and other small animals, especially when they are raised with them. They are also very loyal to their owners.
Albert Payson Terhune wrote of the Airedale: “Among the mine-pits of the Aire, the various groups of miners each sought to develop a dog which could outfight and outhunt and outthink the other miner’s dogs. Tests of the first-named virtues were made in inter-mine dog fights. Bit by bit, thus, an active, strong, heroic, compactly graceful and clever dog was evolved – the earliest true form of the Airedale.
He is swift, formidable, graceful, big of brain, an ideal chum and guard. ….To his master he is an adoring pal. To marauders he is a destructive lightning bolt.”
Capt. Walter Lingo, of LaRue, Ohio, developed the Oorang Airedale strain. The name came from a line of bench champions, headed by King Oorang 11, a dog which was said to have been the finest utility dog. King could retrieve waterfowl and upland game, tree raccoons, drive cattle and sheep, and bay mountain lions, bears, and wolves. King even fought one of the best fighting bull terriers, and killed his opponent. He also trained in Red Cross work, and served the American Expeditionary Force at the front in France.
Lingo simply wasn’t satisfied with the average strain of Airedale, and after an incredible series of breedings, for which he brought in great Airedales from all over the world, he created the “King Oorang.” At the time, Field and Stream magazine called it, “the greatest utility dog in the history of the world.” The Oorang Kennel Company continued until Walter Lingo’s death in 1969. To help promote the King Oorang, as well as his kennels, Lingo created the Oorang Indians football team headed up by Jim Thorpe. The team played in National Football League from 1922–1923. Jerry Siebert, an Airedale breeder in Buckeye Lake, Ohio, followed in Lingo’s footsteps, and bred “Jerang Airedales.” There is a kennel in Tennessee that claims to have original Oorang Airedales.
After the First World War, the Airedales’ popularity rapidly increased thanks to stories of their bravery on the battlefield and also because Presidents Theodore Roosevelt, Calvin Coolidge, and Warren Hardingowned Airedales. President Harding’s Airedale, Laddie Boy, was the “first celebrity White House pet”. President Harding had a special chair hand carved for him to sit on at very important Cabinet meetings. In the 1920s, the Airedale became the most popular breed in the USA.
President Roosevelt claimed that “An Airedale can do anything any other dog can do and then lick the other dog, if he has to.”
1949 marked the peak of the Airedales’ popularity in the USA, ranked 20th out of 110 breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club.
Be aware that the Airedale terrier was one of the breeds from which the Black Russian terrier, which is an AKC registered breed, was developed.
Up until recently, the traditional black and tan Airedale was used by the Russians for border patrol work. There was a sense that the Airedale, while superb in that role, would be even better if it had more of a working dog personality, and could be less visible in the dark. As I understand it, that led to the breeding of Airedales with Giant Schnauzers, and some other dogs, until the desired characteristics we’re achieved and bred true.
Good to know . . . Thanks