About OUR airedales
These are Airedales?
They look like Rottweilers!!! Are these Dobermans???
Alright, let’s start at birth. The coat may or may not be wavy, curly upon arrival. Look at the tip of the tiny ears and tails, they will a have few tight waves. The color of the coat is predominantly black. Day by day, their coat changes visibly in color and texture. They will be close to five months old before they will look like the proverbial Airedale terrier. If left untrimmed, you will notice subtle changes in their puppy-coat until it is the harder, curlier adult coat by month nine or so.
In the fall they develop a very fine, soft undercoat to shed as spring arrives. If you leave the coat natural you should invest in a twenty dollar “rake”, for sure! They are available at 1-800-JEFFERS. Hmm, look, they have a version for cats and smaller dog-breeds as well. The rake is a stainless-steel tool, like a miniature harvesting machine, that does not scratch or tug. The dogs love it! Ours wait in line to be combed and roll over to make sure all body parts will be brushed.
Due to the varied genetic breeding background in Yorkshire, eastern England, the Airedale coat may show slightly different qualities and nuances of color.
Communication
As your puppy grows it will develop its own character adapting to your lifestyle. Airedales will communicate with sound, body language and movement. You just have to understand them. I like it when they communicate via sound, indicating their location, telling you if they need help, alerting you of the presence of animals and people. They do not bark unnecessarily, when they do give sound, they have to tell you something.
Natasha minced her words. She was one year old when she barked for the first time at four in the morning as two hoodlums short-wired our truck and took off with it before I could stop them.
Your Airedale wants to be at your side. If you walk a few blocks to visit to a neighbor your buddy may show up next to you smiling and telling you, “I found you”, even when you left him safely locked in the garden. They are very agile and they can climb. Being terriers, they dig effortlessly with their strong hands. They love to ride with you in your vehicle and have an excellent GPS. They are good at remembering where they have visited before and where they will arrive.
When in conversation with strangers your dog may quietly interpose himself between you and the other person; mostly strangers who seemingly come close and display a lot of body language. They will never befriend an outright evil person or a person mentally deranged, yet they do not discriminate against people temporarily on the wrong path.
They learn fast to be housebroken. Out!!! as soon as they wake up, Out!! again after a meal and before bedtime and in-between as often as necessary. When they start to play hard, Out!!!! just like a child will be overly active when it needs to go potty.
A few observations
They are eager to learn!
They are natural watchdogs; another ancestral feature inherited from the lives in the hills of Yorkshire where they had to watch the farm animals, homestead and be companions to their owners.
They Bond!
All my female Airedales were and are born nursemaids; babysitters for other animals. Even Sherlock, that big old mutt, would hardly allow me to take care of some baby-chicks. Of course, he baby-sat kittens. He washed them and watched over them. They belonged to him. They bond!
When Roxy, the Wheaten got killed, Jessie cried like I have never heard an animal cry in sadness.
Best not to mention her name or say Daddy, mentioning my husband, because she will tilt her head and look at me with sad eyes and ask me why I stir up old wounds.
She tried to save the koi that got injured or killed from being electrocuted in the ice storm. She was able to save two by gently nudging them into movement and continuing to do so until they were able to swim.
Expect your Airedale to bond with all your animals. Expect, in due time, for them to alert you one way or the other when something is out of the ordinary. For example, when the barred owl calls over the fish tanks, Jessica will make certain that I hear it. Expect your dog to call your attention to new arrivals on the farm, i. e. kidding, calving, hatching, etc. She will not rest until you go with her to check on matters, possibly pulling your hand with a happy grin on her face, eager to share the good tidings.
None of our dogs ever killed a chicken on purpose.
They may make a study in fowl anatomy, pull some feathers, but even two big Airedales will not kill a chicken. They know that those birds belong to you. Jessica will occasionally “collect” a single egg that a forgetful chicken laid in an open spot. I do not guarantee this for all Airedales.
They love the water!
A trait related to the Yorkshire ancestry is their love for water. They have Otter-hound in their breeding. Most of them will readily go swimming with you, some go into the water anytime but only shoulder high.
Jessica hops into the ponds many times during the day in the summer. On a cold winter’s day, she enjoys the water up to her shoulders. And now year-round Martina, Princess and True swim deep into the water. True will swim even in the winter.
They hunt!
Your dogs can be trained at an early age to hunt. They are used to hunt bear, lion, big cats, wild hogs, deer, raccoon, coyote or whatever strikes your fancy.
From the standpoint of a farming Airedale: Raccoon: indifferent, but can be hunted. Deer: smells like goat, is ok, can be hunted. Wild pigs need to be checked out and can be hunted if properly trained. Our dogs generally considered them as livestock inhabiting the woods. Squirrels: no Madame, they are way up in the tree, we do not waste our time, although Tiger, Hawk and Sherlock, the male dogs, caught a few careless ones. Rats and mice are on the off-list, need to be scouted out and eliminated.
All our dogs were good at herding although Jess and Roxy were the best. Now Hawk and Jessie are as good. If you have to pass animals from one quarter to another, they will count them. Their head goes back and forth as the animals pass.
They react and will bark to children playing in the street or dogs running loose. They want them to be contained in their gardens.
Up a tree
All our Airedales, male or female, cannot stand opossums. They will kill them. THEY PROBABLY REMIND THEM OF BADGERS FROM THEIR LONG REMOTE ANCESTRAL COUNTRY IN YORKSHIRE.
Get Engaged!
The more you engage her or him, the more you get out of them. Talk to them: let’s go feed the chickens, the horses need water, we have to give hay, let’s go to the house, let’s go into the kitchen, we have to do “xyz”, etc. They like to play! They may retrieve and drop a ball into your hand. Jessie will. But they get quickly bored with too many repetitions at a time. They can catch things with their mouth if you have time to teach them. They are agile and can jump hurdles.
Let’s not forget our friend Henry Johnson who wrote and told, advised, suggested and inspired Airedale-dom.
"You need to treat them like children. You don't want to get too rough with them, and you don't want to overmatch them before they are ready. You bring them along slow and easy and you let them progress at their own pace, some faster than others, some slower. You try to get inside their heads and help them gain confidence, not break it down. And then one day it all comes together and they make you proud." (HSJ)
As Henry S. Johnson Jr. Always said: “ Until next month, let me hear from you Airedale people and don’t forget to put your arms around those black and tan dogs with the beards and the moustaches and talk to them. They are people dogs and family members."
Photos from top left:
Martina and Louie, Martina and pup, Martina's first litter at lunchtime, Hunter posing for a picture, Gabby and Atticus I, MacArthur, Sherlock grooming three kittens, Princess babysitting Martina's first litter while sharing breakfast with the goats, Martina and Louie swimming, Martina and Louie chasing geese, Martina wading "in the clouds", Louie caught a squirrel, (2) Louie in the culvert with another catch, Martina, Princess and Jessica treeing an opossum, Marco and Tripp and Nathanial and True.
2021 new arrivals
Watch the family out in nature
Watch the family out in nature
Watch the family out in nature
Playing outside
Watch the family out in nature
Watch the family out in nature
"I feel so good!"
Watch the family out in nature
Nursing is hard work
Nursing is hard work
We started growing curls already!
Nursing is hard work
We started growing curls already!
We started growing curls already!
We started growing curls already!
Aunt Gigy the nursemaid
We started growing curls already!
We started growing curls already!
Sire Buddy with pup
Sire Buddy with pup
Sire Buddy with pup
So tired!
Sire Buddy with pup
Sire Buddy with pup
Just waking up
Sire Buddy with pup
Just waking up
TESTIMONIALS
Marco
Marco
Marco
Marco is doing great! He is a phenomenal service dog and has been taking great care of Tripp! Tripp is still fighting seizures and each time he has one, Marco is learning more of what to do. He licks his face, lays next to his back to keep him on his side, and yesterday when he had a small one with me already there next to him, Marco left the room to go get my husband, Craig!
He’s is constantly training to learn new tasks so that he is always alert and ready to help.
His newest task is crawling under small spaces in case he would have obstacles to get through to get to Tripp. (See Marco below in Airedales in Action).
Marco has his own Instagram page too…so you can follow him if you have Instagram @sir_marco_sd
Any new puppies in the future? I am constantly being asked where we got him and if they can get one too!
Lisa
Chia
Marco
Marco
Chia is a big girl (90 lbs.) All muscle and she now knows it:) My little Jack Russell, Bell, died after 15 years here:( and she was THE BOSS. Chia thinks she has inherited that role. Too funny. She is a goof ball most of the time though & we love her. She runs A LOT. She has a perimeter around the property that she patrols and she means business! if any animal is here, she runs it off. But if someone comes to visit with a dog she's fine. We have coyote's roaming the woods lately and she is NOT afraid of them! I have her on security camera chasing one. She's a true Airedale! She got bit early this summer by a poison snake! She killed it, a big rattlesnake. It only got one fang in her lip and the fang went through her lip, it was VERY swollen for about a week. Vet was surprised that she didn't seem to notice it! Normally it's very painful. She was so quick it didn't release much, if any venom. I swear I try to keep her inside and clean and "docile" but she won't have that! SHE seeks out trouble! I hope you are not sorry I got her because she is exposed to so much here? I DO have a big fenced area for her but she is so sad when I leave her in there. She doesn't hold her tail up, she hangs her head and doesn't eat much. I just can't stand to see her so sad. (There is no danger of cars when she's loose because we are 1/2 mile or so from any paved road & she sleeps in the house) She's just a wild child:) We are still so very thankful to you for her. Life just wouldn't be the same without her. And my husband said to say our yard wouldn't be the same either without her we wouldn't has so many HOLES!! LOL! She DOES like to dig!
Take care, Cindy
Harry
Marco
Harry
The vet says that Harry is growing well and was excited to meet Harry. He said he’d not had an Airedale in his practice in many years, but that Harry and one other had recently arrived as new patients.
Harry goes to the house with me to play with the kids most days of the week, unless my husband is home and then he likes to go for drives with Mike. We have also recently started working with a trainer. One of the kids participates as she has expressed an interest in learning with Harry. So they all three work together.
He is really very smart and has fallen into our routine so well that he now seems to guide me each morning. He is often waiting by the food bowl and when he finishes, he goes to the door and looks at me as if to say, “Let’s go!” He does sleep with us and nudges me to get me going if I’m in danger of sleeping past the time he has come to expect.
Overall, he continues to fit right in and we wouldn’t trade him for the world. Finn has been much happier since he arrived, if a little jealous over his going with me each day.
Heather
Buddy
Atticus
Harry
Buddy had an autoimmune disease which effected his jaw and ability to chew. He would not eat and it was painful. The vet diagnosed it and put him on high doses of prednisone tapering off eventually.
He is fine now , eating properly and on no medications.
Buddy is an extremely friendly dog and thinks everyone loves him. He is not aggressive except with “love”.
He has had training and walks appropriately on a leash but will pull to go after a squirrel. He is compliant. Loves other dogs at the park and investigating areas at our mountain place. He is registered.
Maude
Atticus
Atticus
Atticus
I thought you might like to see Atticus supporting Mike through painful physical therapy after knee replacement surgery.
❤️Cary
Winston
Atticus
Atticus
One of the breeders I know in Germany near my parents works with youth in difficult circumstances - Airedales with their empathy and curiosity seem to be well-suited.
Winston so far is very friendly with creatures - last Tuesday in doggie school he practiced ‘flying‘ instead of recall, and took me with him, because the other dogs were much more enticing than I calling him. Fortunately, I landed softly on the muddy hillside. Lesson learned.
Barbara
Jackson
Jackson
Jackson
He is doing great. He is a big lap dog. He is spoiled rotten and we love him so much. He is growing so fast. He is also very smart and is so loving. Thank you for allowing us to have one of your babies.
Russ
where the magic happens
Sire Louie and Dam Martina
Sire Louie and Dam Martina
Sire Louie and Dam Martina
Louie's family home in Chapin
Sire Louie and Dam Martina
Sire Louie and Dam Martina
Louie's dad highly recommends getting the "rake" from 1-800-JEFFERS. Louie loves it too!
Airedale club of charlotte
https://m.facebook.com/groups/AiredaleClubCharlotte/permalink/2912155942206316/
Natural Tick Prevention
Far be it from us to tell you to put pesticides on your dog. But we've never heard of a single nontoxic preparation that was effective at keeping ticks off all dogs. For some dogs, only the potent pesticides seem to keep ticks away. There are, however, some nontoxic products - both commercially produced and homemade formulas - that work to repel ticks well enough to consider using them as part of a comprehensive Lyme disease prevention program.
In 1994, botanist Arthur O. Tucker reviewed the scientific literature on herbs that repel mosquitoes, flies, fleas, ticks, and similar pests. He found that opopanax myrrh (Commiphora erythaea), the myrrh of ancient Egypt, has been shown to repel adults of the African brown ear, deer, black-footed, lone star, and American dog tick. Because opopanax myrrh is not widely sold, Tucker speculated that the more readily available common myrrh (C. myrrha) might have similar properties, but herbalists who experiment with live ticks report that of the herbs said to repel them, including myrrh, rosemary, and California laurel, only rose geranium (Pelargonium graveolens), palmarosa (Cymbagopogon martini motia), which has a similar fragrance, and opopanax myrrh truly repel deer and dog ticks.
CJ Puotinen, author of The Encyclopedia of Natural Pet Care and Natural Remedies for Dogs and Cats, describes an all-purpose repellent that will make pets (and people!) less attractive to ticks and other biting insects. She suggests blending 20 drops of rose geranium, palmarosa, or opopanax myrrh essential oil (or any combination) with three drops citronella essential oil (which repels mosquitoes) and enough vodka, neem tincture, or bay rum aftershave to dissolve the essential oils. Start with two tablespoons alcohol or tincture and add more as needed to make the oils dissolve completely. Do not use isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol. When there is no longer a thin film of oil on the surface, add one cup water, herbal tea, or aloe vera juice or gel. Apply frequently, avoiding the eyes.
To examine more options on ways to keep ticks off of your dog, visit www.whole-dog-journal.com.
natural flea and tick fix
Helpful Tip
As soon as you notice a flea or tick, apply coconut oil to the skin in key areas like belly, base of tail, chin, or wherever you feel necessary. It "drowns" them! Coconut oil is natural and healthy for humans as well as animals. We love Kirkland Signature Organic Virgin Coconut Oil from Costco.
may we ask?
Why did you choose and Airedale?
What living conditions will your new family member reside in?
Do you own a farm? Have a house with a fenced in garden? Live in an apartment?
Do you have experience with medium to large dogs?
How much time each day do you have available for your dog? If you will be using a crate, how many hours per day will it be used?
Do you have other pets in your family?
Airedales are great at hunting, retrieving and mountain climbing. They are highly capable at social work, such as, working with disabled adults and children, working as a service dog or as a therapy dog. They love agility class. They are relied on for police work, drug searches and finding missing persons. In addition to being your best friend, what else will your dog do?
How many family members will take care of the dog?
Please leave your email address and cell phone number in the contact information.
frequently asked questions
Do you have photos of the sire and dam?
Please refer to this website for pictures of both the sire and dam. Photos are identified and all dogs are represented.
Do you have photos of previous litters?
Please refer to this website for pictures of pups from previous litters. Some dogs are featured as both pups and adults.
What is the current weight of the dam?
Our dams weigh 50 pounds, + or - one pound.
What is the weight of the sire?
The sire's weight is 70 pounds, + or - one pound.
What size will my pup grow to be?
We cannot guarantee what size your dog will become. Please refer to the the size of the sire and dam for your male or female to estimate what to expect.
Are vaccinations done on the puppies?
All vaccinations are kept current as well as scheduled vet appointments.
Will they experience hip problems?
I know they can occur but have never experienced it in forty years. None of the previous owners have reported any issues.
Are there any health issues to be aware of?
No food allergies have been observed. One male puppy experienced some digestive problems that were resolved with proper care. One grown male had a rare difficulty eating and chewing food but it was resolved with cortisone with no recurrence.
Should I choose male or female?
I do not know but my preference is female. Most of the time we had a male dog as well. They were all good, well behaved, smart and loving dogs that gave us so much pleasure.
How do I choose my new dog?
If you invest in an Airedale it should not be a choice of expense rather a choice of character. If the puppy you want to choose decides it wants to go with you, great! Sometimes it was the only choice and it worked out wonderfully.
When can I take my puppy home?
We like for them to go to their new homes after the first vaccination at six weeks of age before they pick up any habits that do not match with the new environment.
Do they come with papers?
All dogs are AKC registered. AKC registered means that they have a two generation pedigree. I can provide additional information for a small fee or else the pedigrees can be purchased from AKC. AKC stands for American Kennel Club. They are the registrar for all named dog breeds in the USA. There is also UKC which is international.
What food do you recommend?
We recommend you feed your dog a predominately organic diet of meat and vegetables, avoiding foods made from offal. There are high priced, low quality foods being marketed you should stay away from. The AKC website currently has excellent information on this subject. Dog food containing fillers, including high priced varieties, can cause digestive issues for your dog. We recommend a Salmon and Sweet Potato mix for optimal health. Our favorite is Kirkland's Sweet Potato and Salmon offered at Costco, but the combination is available in other brands as well. We also highly recommend adding whole milk, organic yogurt to the top of the dry dog food for added digestive health. The dogs truly enjoy it!
Will they be okay when left alone?
They may experience separation anxiety when they do not see or hear you. They want to be with you. Of course, they can be trained to be resting in a safe place by themselves for a few hours if they have sufficient exercise.
What can I teach them?
You can teach them whatever strikes your fancy. Herding, hurdle jumping, finding items or people, playing fetch with a ball or other toy so they bring it back to you. They are capable of learning a wide variety of things.
How do I learn more about these dogs?
You should read the e-books from the American Kennel Club. They offer excellent information on all subjects dog related.
Have you added one of our Airedales to your family?
If so, we kindly ask you to send us periodic updates. We love to see photos, videos and hear how your new bundle of joy is thriving. Thank you so much for your feedback!