THE AIREDALE TERRIER 417 



jaw, and the whole head is large ; the ears fall close to the cheeks, 

 rather wider and shorter for the size of the dog than in either of the 

 other two breeds ; the neck is rather strong than neat ; the whole 

 body stout and compact, and good muscular shoulders, over useful, 

 straight, strong legs and good feet. The hindquarters are firm and 

 square, finished off by a thick, rather coarse tail, docked to about half 

 or a little more. The coat is a right useful one, short, and broken, 

 much harder to the feel than it looks, being a good mixture of hard 

 and soft hair, and, in fact, just the coat to get dry after an immer- 

 sion with a few good shakes and a roll in the grass ; the prevailing 

 colour is grizzle of various shades, with tan, variously distributed, 

 but showing a saddle back with tan legs, tan about face, etc. 



Here it may be stated that the Old English Terrier, that at one 

 time was provided with a classification by the Kennel Club but now 

 deprived of varietal rank, was correctly either an Airedale Terrier 

 or a Welsh Terrier. The Kennel Club is, therefore, to be con- 

 gratulated in no longer bolstering up a breed that had no dis- 

 tinguishing characteristic to entitle it to the dignification of a 

 variety. 



Novices called upon to make a selection of a young puppy and 

 knowing only the adult dog would doubtless be surprised to find 

 an animal more resembling the smooth-coated Black-and-tan Terrier 

 than the hard, wiry coat of the mature Airedale Terrier. Alike, 

 therefore, as regards coat-colour and texture the young Airedale Terrier 

 has to undergo a gradual but complete change after about the fourth 

 month. As a rule, the darker the puppies the greater the promise 

 for a good adult coat ; while in addition the novice should look for 

 a puppy with a small ear, straight, well-boned fore legs, and dark 

 eyes. 



Airedale Terriers are generally good-tempered dogs, bold and 

 resolute in work, very hardy the day never being too wet, too cold, 

 or too long if there is sport ; and whether for rat or otter, duck or 

 waterhen, they are equally good, eager at questing, and as game as 

 obedient. For size there is only one other Terrier to compare with 

 this variety the Bull-terrier ; but whereas the latter is an excellent 

 guard to person and property, by reason of his scanty coat he can- 

 not perform with indifference the outdoor offices in all weathers that 

 the Airedale Terrier can. 



On the other hand, " Stonehenge " was informed by gentlemen 

 who had purchased Airedales in considerable numbers on the strength 

 of newspaper reports as to their excellence, that the breed was worth- 

 less, wanting in gameness, and, in fact, such arrant cowards that the 

 Airedale Terrier was pronounced a failure. The truth will be found 

 to lie between the two extremes of unmeasured praise and wholesale 

 condemnation. Naturally there are bright and dull specimens in all 

 breeds. 



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