General

AIREDALE TERRIER

Country of origin: England

The Airedale Terrier, also known as King of the terriers, is actually not a pure terrier. Assumed is that the breed decends from the extinct Old English Brokenhaired Black and Tan Terrie, the Welsh Harrier and the Otterhound.
He comes from Aire in the southeast of Yorkshire England. It is of course not an earthdog, but het hunts everything, from rats till otters. 
In 1879 the breed appeared for the first time on a show, and became very popular. The Airedale Terrier is a lovely dog, high-spirited, robust and sporty. Because of this he is beloved all over the world as a show and companiondog. 

The Airedale Terrier is het largest of the terriers. He is open and self confident, friendly, brave and dedicated.

Head: long and flat skull, the snout is as long as the skull. Hardly perceptible stop, flat cheeks, flat ridge of the nos. Powerful jaws because a powerful snout is desirable. The rhinarium is black. 

Eyes: dark, small, lively with a wachtful expression. 

Ears: small, V-shaped, bent foreward and carried to the side of the head, a little aboven the skull.

Teeth: carnassial, pincer teeth are accepted.

Neck: average length and robust, muscled.

Body: short back, strong and flat, deep chest, not broad, but with well curved ribs.

Limbs: long, well backwards placed shoulder blades. The frontlegs straight with good bone. Long en powerful thighs, good angulation, low hocks, hindelegs parallel to eachother. 

Feet: small, round, really closed, strong soles.

Tail: set on high, carried cheerful, robust and powerful, tup about equal with the top of the skull.

Gain: forside parallel, good drive behind

Coat: hard, sturdy, tight, smooth

Colour: black and black grizzels as sadle, on top of the neck and on the upperside of the tail, every other part tan coloured. The tan colour of the ears is often darker. A little white brestmark is allowed.

Size: male  58-61 cm, female 56-59 cm