THE AIREDALE TERRIER 221 



Whether by design or accident is not known, but the fact 

 remains that in or about the year mentioned a cross took place 

 between these same hounds and terriers. It was found that 

 a handier dog was produced for the business for which he was 

 required, and it did not take many years to populate the district 

 with these terrier-hounds, which soon came to be recognised 

 as a distinct breed. The Waterside Terrier was the name first 

 vouchsafed to the new variety. After this they went by the 

 name of Bingley Terriers, and eventually they came to be 

 known under their present appellation. 



The specimens of the Airedale which were first produced 

 were not of very handsome appearance, being what would now 

 be called bad in colour, very shaggy coated, and naturally 

 big and ugly in ear. It, of course, took some time to breed 

 the hound out at all satisfactorily ; some authorities tell us 

 that for this purpose the common fighting pit Bull-terrier 

 and also the Irish Terrier were used, the latter to a considerable 

 extent ; and whether this is correct or not there is no doubt 

 that there would also be many crosses back again into the 

 small Black and Tan Terrier, primarily responsible for his 

 existence. 



In about twenty years' time, the breed seems to have 

 settled down and become thoroughly recognised as a variety 

 of the terrier. It was not, however, for some ten years after 

 this that classes were given for the breed at any representative 

 show. In 1883 the committee of the National Show at Birm- 

 ingham included three classes for Airedales in their schedule, 

 which were fairly well supported ; and three years after this 

 recognition was given to the breed in the stud-book of the ruling 

 authority. 



From this time on the breed prospered pretty well ; several 

 very good terriers were bred, the hound gradually almost 

 disappeared, as also did to a great extent the bad-coloured 

 ones. The best example amongst the early shown dogs was 

 undoubtedly Newbold Test, who had a long and very success- 

 ful career. This dog excelled in terrier character, and he was 



