446 The Dog Book 



muzzle and jaws. The depth of the muzzle as well as its width is well car- 

 ried out to the nose. The eye has a more sedate expression than in any 

 of the other terriers. Then the ears must not look small, while of course 

 they should not be heavy — a good-sized ear and carried more to the side 

 of the head, showing the full width of the skull. The ears should also be 

 somewhat wide across the top and devoid of anything suggestive of the 

 hanging hound ear. A good reach to the neck adds materially to the 

 appearance of the dog, and of course he should have good shoulders and a 

 good "front," as well as firm, thick-padded feet. We do not consider that 

 the work of the Airedale terrier calls for small feet, for a "waterside terrier," 

 as this was and is yet, is in need of pretty good sized feet, and so long as 

 they are firm and sound in pad they will do. The length of the legs should 

 be enough to prevent any suggestion of shortness, yet a leggy dog is an 

 abomination in any terrier when it is carried too far. A leggy terrier is 

 either prone to be light in middle piece or long in the back, and thus loses 

 character. With well-placed shoulders, the Airedale's back should not look 

 long and should be carried out to the tail without any droop in quarters. 

 The quarters must be muscular, with good length to the hocks. In move- 

 ment the action should show strength and freedom. The latest standards 

 say that the colour may be black or dark grizzle, with tan head and ears, 

 and legs up to the elbows and thighs. The grizzle is by far the preferable 

 colour, and we think that as a rule the harsh and wiry feel of the coat is 

 better in those of that shade than in others that show a denser black and a 

 redder tan. What is perhaps of more importance is that the coat should 

 show no softness or be thin and devoid of filling. It should be weather 

 resisting. The Airedale should be provided with a sound mouth, teeth 

 strong and large and meeting evenly in front. 



The following is the descriptive points and standard which meet with 

 our views better than some which have been published, though this is far 

 from perfect, even if it is that of the Airedale Club of England: 



Descriptive Particulars 



Head. — ^Long, with flat skull, not too broad between the ears and nar- 

 rowing slightly to the eyes, free from wrinkle. Stop hardly visible and 

 cheeks free from fulness. Jaw deep and powerful, well filled up before the 

 eyes, lips tight. Ears V-shaped with a side carriage, small but not out of 



