204 THE AXGLEB AND HTXTSMAX 



without the quarrelsome disposition, has won him friends 

 innumerable in every clime. The Airedale takes to water 

 like a muskrat, having been crossed in his early ancestry 

 with the Otter hound, and being used in England to hunt 

 the streams as well as the thickets. As a duck dog he is con- 

 sidered superior to the Chesapeake or Spaniel. His coat 

 dries quickly, being wiry and not shaggy. As a watch dog 

 and companion for children he is unexcelled, guards the 

 home faithfully, is affectionate, kind and very intelligent, 

 but is not everybody's dog and does not fall in love with 

 Tom, Dick and Harry just because they pat him on the head. 



The Airedales, when born, are black and grow lighter 

 as they grow older. 



The head is long with a flat skull, not too broad between 

 the ears, and narrowing slightly to the eyes, free from wrin- 

 kle; stop hardly visible, and their cheeks are free from full- 

 ness. The jaw is deep and powerful; well filled up under 

 the eyes, lips tight; ear "V" shaped, with a side carriage, 

 small but not out of proportion to the size of the dog : the 

 nose black, the eyes small, dark in color and full of terrier 

 expression. 



The teeth are strong and level. 



The neck should be of moderate length and thickness, 

 gradually widening towards the shoulders and free from 

 throatiness. 



The shoulders should be long and sloping well into the 

 back, shoulder blades flat. 



Chest is deep but not broad; back short, strong and 

 straight. 



The hips are well sprung. 



Hind-quarters should be strong and muscular, with no 

 droop ; hocks well let down. 



The tail is docked and set on high and carried gaily, 

 but not curled over back. 



The legs must be perfectly straight, with plenty of bone. 



