Can anyone tell me about airedales?

I think it is also important to say that none of us will get the carbon copy of the dog we had as a child. There are things called rose tinted spectacles, Mum or Dad doing all the training/coping with all the annoyances that we didn't see, breeds and genetics changing over time.
Comparing a new dog to an old dog can create many problems, frustrations and resentments. My Mum has done this quite a lot in the past 'but why isn't he/she like Fido' etc etc.
I owned the father of my current dog for 14 years and in so many ways she is not like him at all, and while it is nice to have a 'piece' of him, I didn't get her or keep her because I wanted a carbon copy, because that's impossible. He was a one-off and I don't think I will ever be lucky enough to have a dog like that again. His other progeny have some of his good points, but they have some of his bad points too, and likewise from the mother.
The dog I grew up with was fantastic in so many ways, I often wish I could come across one like her again, but I do have to admit to myself that she was dog aggressive.
They are all different and have their own qualities, while it's nice to have a dog like the one we had when we were kids, it doesn't always work out the way we think it might.
 
Belmont said:
What about an Irish terrier? Typically smaller, easier to train and more affectionate, albeit still a terrier!
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Exactly what I was going to say, they’re the mini version, I think @palo1 has one.

My neighbour growing up had one, (Airedale) it was an excitable but quite boring dog, to my recollection. I saw one at the weekend, first one I think I’ve seen in 30 years, so possibly tricky to source?

My OH is the reason we have the breed we have, he wanted his childhood breed. I suppose it reduces the massive range of breeds you could debate!
 
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ester said:
Friend's standard is lovely, quiet, easy going, non shouty (she shares the office with a mini and spends her time rolling her eyes at it). The local carriage club/driving centre/bike cafe has a mostly giant one, he's totally chill, ambles about all day, doesn't bother with any other dogs even if they're playing/have toys etc. Not particularly excited by people either!

I once arrived at high peak in thetford forest for a walk with some friends, this coincided with a mini schnauzer meet up OMG it was loud.
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I was probably on that walk with my 2 😂😂 they are a vocal breed definitely. But the minis are happy, cheerful, adaptable and are definitely characters! Coincidentally the chap that grooms my girls also has Airedales.
 
CorvusCorax said:
Welsh Terrier is probably the miniature of the Airedale rather than Irish. The Irish native terriers all have the reputation of being scrappers, rightly or wrongly.
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My Irish says 'Oy! I have nice manners!'. Mine isn't remotely scrappy, even when provoked but will defend himself (rather than get stuck in) but I chose the bloodline carefully, knowing that some Irish are more scrappy. Mine also lives with 4 bitches that keep him in order 😎
 
palo1 said:
My Irish says 'Oy! I have nice manners!'. Mine isn't remotely scrappy, even when provoked but will defend himself (rather than get stuck in) but I chose the bloodline carefully, knowing that some Irish are more scrappy. Mine also lives with 4 bitches that keep him in order 😎
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It's a generalisation :)
 
CorvusCorax said:
It's a generalisation :)
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Yes, and I think historically, not unfair. The Irish do have a reputation for being scrappy - some breeders I've spoken to are accepting of this as a breed trait, but others try to breed for something a bit less gung ho! I do think in this breed it is something to just be aware of - most ITs I know are fine but can become dog aggressive after negative interactions. It was, in part for that reason I've never taken mine to puppy classes. He's now either dog neutral or polite, friendly and happy to walk away if another dog is negative in any way. This wouldn't be a breed I'd want to keep in a really busy environment - such as an urban home where many, many interactions with other strange dogs was a daily necessity, but sure lots of Irish do well in that scenario too!
 
palo1 said:
Yes, and I think historically, not unfair. The Irish do have a reputation for being scrappy - some breeders I've spoken to are accepting of this as a breed trait, but others try to breed for something a bit less gung ho! I do think in this breed it is something to just be aware of - most ITs I know are fine but can become dog aggressive after negative interactions. It was, in part for that reason I've never taken mine to puppy classes. He's now either dog neutral or polite, friendly and happy to walk away if another dog is negative in any way. This wouldn't be a breed I'd want to keep in a really busy environment - such as an urban home where many, many interactions with other strange dogs was a daily necessity, but sure lots of Irish do well in that scenario too!
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I was also talking about all the native Irish terrier breeds, not just Irish Terriers.
I can understand why people breed away from things to make more amenable pet dogs but it's literally referenced in the breed standard.
 
CorvusCorax said:
I was also talking about all the native Irish terrier breeds, not just Irish Terriers.
I can understand why people breed away from things to make more amenable pet dogs but it's literally referenced in the breed standard.
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Apologies - I miss-read your post! I agree with you about all of the native terriers being potentially scrappy and I guess there may have been reasons for maintaining that kind of temperament. I also have spoken to breeders of Irish terriers that reference that temperament as part of the breed standard and are very open about it to enquiring new owners. I guess, like a lot of breed characteristics, it's important to understand and be able to manage (or breed away from).

My understanding of airedales is that whilst they are generally clownish and great family dogs they absolutely do have terrier tenacity and because of their size and power, need really solid training and understanding. My daughter would live one!
 
Thank you again. It's been really interesting reading different people's views and perspectives. Any doggy thoughts are likely to be somewhat in the future as much of my time currently is taken up with horse and combining them would be tricky in current livery set up, but I think it's never too early to do research.
 
I grew up with one, he was the best big dog I’ve ever met. As daft as a brush with me as a kid and adored my mum and sister. My dad walked him of a morning and a neighbour walked him of an evening. He didn’t like little dogs or horses but was an absolute dude. I would have another in a heart beat. But not with my small terriers as it would be to much to do at the moment
 
I remember that Airedales were around when I was a child, but we are talking 60 years ago now, I used to see a few around, but it isn't a breed I have seen for a long time. They are big and powerful, so if they have a terrier temperament and attitude to training, then maybe they have just fallen out of fashion.
 
Friend has a big Airedale. I’m not a big fan but that’s largely because they’re apparently quite owner orientated, not bothered about anyone else. But also not clingy, even with said owner. Quite a character. Very strong. Poor recall (and he’s done a LOT of training with him at the local Airedale club).
 
People I know have one and he has attacked other dogs on numerous occasions and never seems to engage with you like ‘normal’ dogs do or show affection. He is also a terrible thief for anything left out that he wants to eat or chew. Probably partly their training, or lack of, but it’s the way he doesn’t connect with you that I don’t like.
 
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