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Airedale Terrier | |
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The only terrier that can well be classed as a gun dog. He originated as a cross between the wire-haired terrier with the otter hound, and later the pit bull terrier was crossed in to give size and ferocity. The Airedale is smart, courageous to a fault, yet not foolish in taking hold on dangerous big game.
The Airedale Terriers have a good nose and can be trained to mark birds, retrieve, hunt furred game, and fight big game when it is cornered. His thick double coat makes him ideal as a water dog and as a swimmer he can go as fast as a slow-rowed boat.
Weight, 45 to 60 pounds, the smaller size being preferred by some for small game, while others breed the larger type for the same purpose. The smaller seem more intelligent in keeping out of harm, and the larger, because of their formidable powers, can both give and take punishment.
For a hunter who already has a couple of bird dogs and some hounds, the Airedale is a fine addition to the sporting kennel; otherwise the dog will be hard to train as they learn to hunt easiest by following other dogs.
Due to the size of the Airedale and their energetic attitudes, it is recommended that owners with small children avoid this breed, they tend to be even tempered but are large enough to seriously hurt a small child even when playing.
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