The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1907-04-05
A DOG OF ALL TRADES.
AiredaIe Terriers Do All the Things
Other Doqs Do,


"A dog of all trades is the title
given to the Airedale terrier by N. Will
liam Haynes in Field and Stream.
They will do the work of almost every
other breed.
They will hunt rats, mice and other
vermin, run deer, foxes or rabbits,
beat for birds, bait badger, draw coon,
retrieve game under any conditions,
each with equal gusto and success.
They flourish as well in the faroff
frozen north as in the damp fever
stricken tropics, as well in the sun
burned, scorched plains of Arizona and
New Mexico as in the cool pine forests
of Canada or Maine. Equally at home
on land or in water, in any climate or
hunting any game, the Airedale is in
deed a wonderful dog.
The German police have come to the
conclusion that this breed makes the
ideal police dog. In Paris the river
police use these dogs with great sue
cess as preventers of suicides. Several
European armies have adopted the
Airedales as their dogs of war, in
which capacity they excel.
In the KIondike they are used as
sled dogs, though it has been found
that they are most useful as a cross
for the native huskies. This mating
produces dogs that are said to be ex-
ceptionally valuable for this branch Of
work.
An Airedale will quickly learn to
herd and drive sheep or cattle as well
as any collie and is particularly use.
full as a guard or house dog.
In disposition the Airedale is faith
full, loving and obedient. a combina-
ton of all that has always been aid
mired in the dog. The story of the dog
of this breed that dragged through four
miles of bowling blizzard the dead
body of his master will always raise a
lump in the throats of dog lovers.
The origin Of this many sided dog is
of comparatively recent date. He ap-
peared in Yorkshire particularly in
the valley of the Aire. from which he
gets his name, about fifty years ago.
Although the dogs official name is
Airedale terrier, still common usage,
in England, has led to a
dropping of the latter member, and he
is now universally known and loved
as the Airedale.
He was created, If the term be per-
by those who had no knowl-
edge of scientific dog breeding, but
who desired a good all around dog
big enough to take care of himself and
useful in hunting vermin, especially
along the little streams. To do this
they mated otter hounds with all pos
sible combinations of terriers and by
series of haphazard crossings and re-
produced the waterside ter
rier as he was then called.
From this very mixed and doubtfully
bred dog the early breeders by careful |
breeding and some notifications pro-
duced the grand dog that is now so
rapidly becoming a general favorlte. |
But, we'll as they did their work, the |
mysterious foundations of the past are |
often cropping out in long, houndlike |
ears or white markings that should |
not be.
The Airedale has a hard, close coat;
ong, well shaped, expressive head;
strong muzzle; neat V shaped ears;
bright, dark eyes; well defined and
strong neck; good shoulders; chest
leep and narrow; forelegs straight as
gun barrels, with plenty of bone; ribs
we'll sprung; loins strong; hams and
second thighs full, powerful and mus
,ular; tail locked and carried nearly
srect action free and snowy, as If al
ways on the alert and never tired: col
,r black or dark badger grizzle on back
ind neck; head, ears, chest, legs and
highs a deep tan.