History of the Airedale Terrier
The Airedale terrier as we know it today originated in the dales of Yorkshire, often found hunting otter or rats by the river Aire, hence the name 'Airedale'. Originally he was known as the 'Bingley terrier' or the 'Waterside terrier'.
While little documentation exists as to the exact makeup of the Airedale, it is thought that his origins came from the 'Otterhound & a small black &tan terrier
The Airedale was widely used during the first world war and to a lesser extent also the second world war. he was given many tasks which he exeld at, including sentry duty, searching for wounded soldiers, running telephone cables, and carrying, carrier pigeons, also widely used for running written messages in a specially adapted collar. it has been written that over 3000 Airedales lost there lives in the trenches!!!!
The Airedale with a basket of carrier pigeons during the first world war
On many occasions his natural guarding instinct was used to patrol RAF & army airefields to keep out intruders both in Britain & abroad
It is widely considered that the Airedale was the first dog to be used by the Police in the uk back in the early 20th Century
The Airedale is a highly intelligent dog and has been used in many countries as a hunting dog, often used in years gone by in packs, to hunt Lion or wild bore
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