220 DOGS AND ALL ABOUT THEM 



strength, sagacity, and speed a most excellent gun-dog. He 

 is, in fact, a general utility dog, for add to the above-mentioned 

 qualities those of probably an incomparable guard and a 

 most excellent companion, faithful and true, and ask yourself 

 what do you want more, and what breed of dog, taken all 

 round, can beat him ? 



The Airedale is not of ancient origin. He was probably first 

 heard of about the year 1850. He is undoubtedly the product 

 of the Otterhound and the old Black and Tan wire-haired 

 terrier referred to in the chapters on the wire-hair Fox and the 

 Welsh Terriers. When one considers the magnificent noble- 

 ness, the great sagacity, courage, and stateliness of the Otter- 

 hound, the great gameness, cheek, and pertinacity of the old 

 Black and Tan wire-hair, such a cross must surely produce an 

 animal of excellent type and character. 



Yorkshire, more especially that part of it round and about 

 the town of Otley, is responsible for the birth of the Airedale. 

 The inhabitants of the country of broad acres are, and always 

 have been, exceedingly fond of any kind of sport as, 

 indeed, may also be said of their brothers of the Red Rose 

 but if in connection with that sport a dog has to be introduced, 

 then indeed are they doubly blessed, for they have no compeers 

 at the game. 



Otter-hunting was formerly much indulged in by the people 

 living in the dales of the Aire and the Wharfe, and not only were 

 packs of Otterhounds kept, but many sportsmen maintained 

 on their own account a few hounds for their personal delecta- 

 tion. These hounds were no doubt in some instances a non- 

 descript lot, as, indeed, are several of the packs hunting the 

 otter to-day, but there was unquestionably a good deal of 

 Otterhound blood in them, and some pure bred hounds were 

 also to be found. Yorkshire also has always been the great 

 home of the terrier. Fox-terriers, as we now know them, had 

 at this time hardly been seen. The terrier in existence then 

 was the Black and Tan wire-hair, a hardy game terrier, a great 

 workman on land or in water. 



