Hi all, the Airedale is on of our native breeds but does not see much use over here any more. I understand that they are still widely used in USA amongst other countries. Any experiences good or bad and how easy/difficult have you found them to train?

Thanks

SORRY FOR THE LATE POST, I HAVE BEEN OUT OF TOWN. I HAVE HAD AN AIRDALE SPAYED FEMALE FOR GOING ON FIVE YEARS. SHE WAS AN ADOPTION, DID NOT RAISE HER. SHE WAS ABOUT TWO WHEN I GOT HER. SHE HAD SOME OBEDIENCE TRAINING, SO WAS PRETTY CALM. THESE DOGS ARE ABSOLUTELY FEARLESS. I CAN SEE WHERE THEY MAY BE A LITTLE HARD TO TRAIN, A LITTLE THICK SKULLED, BUT AFTER THEY THINK TRAINING IS THEIR IDEA, THINGS WORK OUT GOOD. I THINK IF THEY ARE RAISED WITH KIDS IT WOULD BE OK. I DO NOT HAVE KIDS AT HOME, BUT SHE SEEMS OK WITH KIDS. THEY NEED A LOT OF EXERCISE OR WILL TEAR UP A LOT OF BACKYARD LANDSCAPING. I HAVE 11 FENCED ACRES WITH AN ELECTRIC FENCE TO KEEP THEM FROM DIGGING OUT. PROBALY ONE OF THE BEST WATCH DOGS AROUND.

I SAW ON A HUNTING SHOW ONCE WHERE THEY WERE HUNTING COUGAR IN ARGENTINA. THEY USED HOUNDS FOR THE CHASE, THEN HAD A COUPLE OF AIRDALES THEY TURNED LOOSE FOR THE KILL WHEN THE COUGAR WAS CORNERED.

IF YOU HAVE THE TIME AND SPACE I THINK YOU WOULD ENJOY ONE. THE ONE I HAVE IS SOMETIMES A REAL CLOWN.

My distant cousin used to raise them for cougar/bear "fighting" dogs to protect the others.. some use them for bird hunting. tough dogs. lots of muscle for their size.

Zaitsev,

where is Blighty?

What are your intentions in obtaining a airedale? perhap's hunting?

check out this Northern Kalifornian breeder www.huntingairedales.com

Sorry Norseman, Blighty is good old England! Kind of a pet name used a lot by troops (especially but not exclusively).
Hunting would be the intention yes. It seems that in England- the Airedales home- that we have lost the working strains. This is common with a lot of our working breeds.
Essentially the Airedale strikes me as a capable multi-purpose dog and a native to boot.
Thanks for all the replies so far guys.

Regards

Gareth

Is there anyone here who has experience with Irish terriers for hunting?

I have hunted birds and fur (rabbits, coyotes, vermin) with my Airedales, with mixed success. They were popular as "kill dogs" w/ houndsman in Montana, but not seen for that purpose much anymore. Most I know use them for protection from bears/lions, they are usually quite fearless. Very tough for their size, hard to know when they're hurting.
It's kind of a crap shoot. Not the first breed I'd pick if my priority was to find a hunting dog. I like them for their character, if they take to hunting birds its a bonus.
All the ones I've seen will chase fur.
All need at least a daily hike (not walk) or they go nuts with excess energy.
Most important, they are VERY smart. Not saying they're easy to train, but they KNOW what's going on.

elkjaeger

Thanks Elkjaeger. You're experience seems to fit with the general picture. I have just received 'The Working Airedale' by Bryan Cummings and the history of the breed is fascinating. It seems that they were once a much more adaptable dog than at present.

Well I don't know much about any Airedales other than my own, but I got her when she was 7.5 weeks old. She's 2.5 years old now and I just love this dog to death!
She's definitely my dog. My wife says Purdy will tolerate her when I'm not around, but she crowds up to me when I'm home.
I got her to toll coyotes with. I taught her come/sit/stay/down/load up (in the truck)/go to bed (in the crate). Her favorite is "get a coyote/ and "Fass" which is the command our dog handlers always gave their Shepherds when they sent them to bite.

I've attached a photo of Purdy from last Saturday when we went out to kill some coyotes that were eating newborn calves. She loves the hunt. The Mountain Cur pup is 5.5 months old and this was his first two coyotes. He is showing interest.

I found her very easy to train. Started when she was 7.5 weeks, just getting her to follow me when I walked or ran. Lots of praise. Moved to an electronic collar when she was about 1.5 to teach her to come to me when she hears the tone. She's bulletproof with the collar on, but is sometimes stubborn about coming when called without the collar on. She gives me the "I'll be there in a minute." look and does a bit more sniffing. SHe always comes, just not always when I want her to without the collar on For that little bit of aggravation, I forgive her.
She is great around people and other dogs EXCEPT when she's in the back of the pickup. It is hers and don't put your hand inside. She gets a little growly.

Thanks John! Just the kind of stuff I'm looking for. She looks like butter wouldn't melt in that last picture!

Regards

Gareth

Gareth,
I'll try to remember to get some pics posted when she doesn't have her winter coat on. I let her get wooly because of the extreme cold and snow we have here.
When she has a "spa day" as my wife calls it, she's a whole lot different looking critter.
More like a show dog. And if you didn't notice, she is smiling in the back of the truck with her trophies.

Thanks again John, yes I'd like to see those pics. She does look mightily pleased with herself in the back of the truck. I'm guessing that the 'red-line' Airedales with the shorter coats would not find favour in your neck of the woods? Is the woolly coat a distinct advantage in your area?

Regards

Gareth

Well, I think it's an advantage. She LOVES the snow. The Mountain Cur pup with his slick coat shivers a bit when it gets real cold. I got her from HK Airedales (hkairedales.com) in Powell, WY (NE of Cody in the NW part of the state. They breed wooly Airedales. I know the guys in Arizona and such like the slick coated dogs. I don't know if it's because of the heat or because the wooly dogs pick up briars etc pretty easily. Try looking up The Coyote Gods and visit John-Henry's site. You've GOT to read the "The Beginning" saga. It's hilarious.

We have two airedales, I don't use them for hunting but they deifnitelly are killers - cats,coons, foxes, rabbits - you name it. I don't kno wow many I had to dispose off on our land.

Zaitsev,
here are a few more pics of my Airedale with a shorter coat





And a real wooly booger




Here she is with big male coyote I called in. She's 62 pounds. He's about 40-45 pounds. That's a BIG coyote for this country.



SO, did you get a pup yet?

Not yet sir. It's dependent on a house move which in this economic climate is similar to trying to plait fog...

It will happen!

Regards

G

My Airedale Winston was my Best Friend and the best dog I ever had period end of story in my 48 years here!

Never had I had a better animal -- Loyal, SMART, very trainable and great around our daughter (first dog she was around). Winston was not as aggressive as some Airedales I have seen but when he sensed danger he was protective.

There are strains of this breed that get up to almost 80lbs which is way over breed standard. Just typing this brings tears to my eyes remembering him.

The Black Russian Terrier is a very handsome animal as well!!!

quote:

Originally posted by zaitsev:
It's dependent on a house move which in this economic climate is similar to trying to plait fog...

You're telling me. This is the third year anniversary of having two house payments.

Luckier than most, we've got good jobs and I have a pension from my first career. We can afford to do it, just don't like doing it. Lots more stuff we'd rather spend a house payment on than a house we can't use...
But I'm like you, hopeful, ever hopeful!


Boss Hoss,

If you're lookin' for another Airedale, mine came from hkairedales.com

John---Thanks. Am thinking about it now--need a pup to play with my Soft Coated Wheaton.

I like Airdales, my brother used one in Alaska for a dozen years or so. I have two terriers right now, a Wheaton male and a Kerry Blue female. Just had to put my first Wheaton to sleep a week ago or so after 15 years. Hard to do. Unless you're looking for a bigger dog to keep your Wheaton in line, a Kerry makes a good companion. There is a very active Kerry rescue society stateside as well, that's where my Kerry came from. Damn good dogs, terriers. - dan