Airedale Terrier Standard: A Comprehensive Breed Overview

The Airedale Terrier is a versatile breed that excels in various roles, including hunting, guarding, and companionship. They are known for their distinctive mustache-like facial hair.

Originally bred in the mid-19th century in England, Airedale Terriers were developed to hunt large game such as otters and badgers. Their origins are rooted in the Old English Black and Tan Terrier.

Airedale Terriers are a medium to large breed, with males weighing between 50-60 pounds and standing 23 inches tall at the shoulder.

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The Airedale Terrier's physical characteristics are truly unique and impressive. They have a sturdy, muscular build, conveying strength and agility.

Their head is distinctive, with a flat skull, long muzzle, and black nose. The muzzle is wide with a slight taper, giving it a unique shape.

The Airedale's ears are V-shaped, small, but in proportion to the size of the dog. They fold back against the head, with the topline above the level of the skull.

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Their eyes are small, dark, and expressive, adding to their alert and intelligent appearance. The nose is black, and the overall shape of the muzzle is wide with a slight taper.

Here are the key physical characteristics of the Airedale Terrier:

Their tail is moderately short and high-set, carried gaily, and should not curl over their back. Overall, the Airedale Terrier's physical characteristics make them a majestic and impressive breed.

The Airedale Terrier's general appearance is truly regal, with a sturdy, muscular build that conveys strength and agility. Their medium size makes them larger than other terrier breeds, but not so big that they lose their terrier charm.

Their distinctive-shaped head features a flat skull, long muzzle, and black nose. The muzzle is wide with a slight taper, adding to their dignified look. Airedales have small, dark eyes that are full of expression, and their ears are a distinctive V-shape, folded back against their head.

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A key feature of the Airedale's appearance is their coat, which is short, dense, and wiry. The outer coat is hard and straight, lying close to the body and legs, while the undercoat is soft and shorter. Some Airedales have a crinkling or slightly waved coat, which adds to their unique charm.

Here are the key characteristics of the Airedale's coat:

The Airedale's tail is another notable feature, typically docked to a fair length and carried high. When docked, the tail is set on high and carried gaily, showing good strength and substance.

The head of an Airedale Terrier is a defining feature of this breed. It's well balanced, with a skull and muzzle of equal length and a barely visible stop.

Their skull is long and flat, not too broad between the ears, and narrowing slightly to the eyes. This shape gives the Airedale a distinctive look.

The Airedale's face is free from wrinkles, with a stop that's hardly visible. Their cheeks are level and free from fullness, giving them a clean and angular appearance.

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Their foreface is deep and powerful, well filled below the eyes but delicately chiseled to prevent plainness. The lips are tight, and the nose is black.

Here are some key characteristics of the Airedale's muzzle:

The overall shape of the Airedale's head is a result of careful breeding to emphasize strength and agility. This is reflected in the deep, powerful jaws and the muscular build of the breed.

The forequarters of a well-bred animal are a sight to behold.

The shoulder blades are long, flat and well laid back. This gives the animal a sleek and agile appearance.

Forelegs are perfectly straight, with good bone. This is essential for stability and balance.

Elbows are perpendicular to the body, working free of the sides. This allows for smooth movement and flexibility.

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The hindquarters of a well-bred animal are truly impressive. They are well angulated, with long, muscular thighs.

A good hindquarters section is characterized by powerful thighs. The second thigh is particularly noteworthy, being muscular and strong.

When viewed from behind, the hocks should be well let down and parallel to each other. This indicates a well-proportioned and balanced hindquarters section.

The stifles, or joints, should be well bent and turned neither in nor out. This ensures a smooth and efficient gait.

When looking at the physical characteristics of this animal, it's clear that height and weight are important factors. Males stand at 23-24 inches at the shoulder. Females are slightly smaller. Both sexes are sturdy, well-muscled, and well-boned. Their weight is commensurate with their height.

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Movement is free, allowing the Airedale Terrier to move with ease and agility. The forelegs should swing perpendicular from the body and free from the sides.

The feet should be the same distance apart as the elbows when viewed from the front. This allows for a smooth and effortless stride.

The hind legs should be parallel with each other when viewed from the rear. This parallel movement helps to maintain balance and stability.

Propulsive power is furnished by the hindlegs, which provide the necessary force to move forward. This is especially important when the Airedale Terrier is approaching or moving at a brisk pace.

The forelegs should move freely, parallel to the sides, and form a continuation of the straight line of the front. This helps to maintain a smooth and efficient gait.

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Any departure from the points outlined in the Airedale Terrier standard should be considered a fault, with the seriousness of the fault determined by its degree and impact on the dog's health, welfare, and ability to perform its traditional work.

A dog with a fault may still be eligible to participate in conformation events, but the severity of the fault will be taken into account when evaluating its overall quality.

Faults can include departures from the breed's typical characteristics, such as its size, coat, or head shape.

Disqualifications can be a major concern for dog owners and breeders. A dog with a disqualification must not be considered for placement in a conformation event.

Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid is a disqualification. This means that dogs with undescended testicles are not eligible to participate in conformation events.

Viciousness or extreme shyness are also disqualifications. If a dog displays aggressive behavior or is excessively fearful, it's not suitable for conformation events.

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Artificial coloring is a disqualification. Dogs with artificially colored coats are not eligible to participate.

Albinism is a disqualification. Dogs with albinism are not allowed in conformation events.

The docking of tails and cropping of ears is a personal choice in America, but UKC events will not penalize dogs for having full tails or natural ears.

Any departure from the traditional characteristics of a dog should be considered a fault. The seriousness of a fault should be directly proportional to its degree and its effect on the dog's health and welfare.

A fault can be anything that deviates from the expected standard, and its severity is determined by how much it impacts the dog's well-being and ability to perform its intended work.

The degree and effect of a fault should be carefully assessed to determine its seriousness. The more significant the deviation, the more severe the fault will be considered.