The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-02-19

Y PURPOSE to write with some par
 ticularity of the Airedale terrier be- | fore I mention other dog families shall do this for two reasons: First, I am persuaded that he Is not as well known in the south as he should be- Secondly, should like to see the Aire- dale displace inferior dogs in our yards and on our plantations. It costs no more to keep fine dog than 1t does a common cur.
 The Aireda1e terrier comes from the dale of Aire, yorkshire England. He is the largest terrier in the world. being the product of terrier-crossing and care ful selection. The male should weigh l5 pounds, the female trifie less. The color of head, breast and legs Is tan, while saddle of black and gray covers the back and sides. The tan of the head Is mingled with gray. which becomes predominant with age and finally as- sumes silver appearance. For the size of the dog, the ears are small.
 Ihave seen the statement in print that Colonel Roosevelt used Airedales in his hunting expedition in Africa, and the reader may have seen pictures of all sorts of hunting dogs, after a chase, gathering about the huntsmen in the African wilds. But this Is all a mistake MT. Roose- welt, in personal letter to me. eX- 1. pressed regret that he had no dogs of any description with him in Africa. He used dogs in hunting bears and partners ln the west. however, and an account of them he gives in his book on Outdoor Pastimes of an American Hunter" The Airedale. because of his pin-wire hair, could have stood the jungle briars better than any other dog.
 The Airedale is fine water dog. even small puppies leap into stream with out fear. He Is the best ratter to pc found, a tireiess hunter, the most alert guard and unexcelled as a companion in long rambles. He is naturally amia- tle. He will seek no quarrel with other dogs, but if molested by dog he will fight like tiger and die in his blood rather than give up. But he rarely has to give up He can bring the nose Of a bull dog to the dust. Geclko, one Of ' Grixzell's puppies now massive fellow was annoyed by a bull dog few days ego. The bull knew not what ne was coming up against. for in little while he was on his back in helpless condl- tion with Gecko chewing him. The mas siveness of the Airedale's jawbone is re- marl1able. and if he once grips another dog he's got him sure.
 The Airedale, too, Is the cleanest Of all dogs, and the most sensible. He has been made the "kriegshund' of the Ger man army, and bears dispatches and lmportaht papers from. one point to an other. He is not quick to make friends with strangers. but among those whom he knows he Is most affectionate, gentle and faithful. have been asked if Aire- dales will stand birds. answer, They will stand partridges equal to pointer or setter when properly taught.
 Of this family of dogs, Grizzell was a splendid type. had something to say of her last summer when I wrote g sketch of noble old Togo. I shall say but little of her now. She is dead She was taken i'll suddenly, and, though a physician was called in, 1t was irnpos. sibIe to diagnose her ailment. We thought at first that she had pneumonia but other symptoms convinced us that ahe had been poisoned Not that W; thought anyone would Intentionally do heI harm. but suppose that she ate poisoned meat thrown out for troublesome cats She did not suffer long. for she wal unconscious most of the time of her ill' ness. But when we spoke to her heI natural amiability and distinct sense ol courtesy prompted her, If conscious, tc raise her head even after blindness had closed her eyes. have known many dogs. but never have seen a dog SC singularly human. She never violated hee seuss of self-respect. which Qualits