Airedale Terrier puppies are a unique, attractive dog breed whose origins can be traced back to the River Aire in Yorkshire, England. They were created by crossbreeding multiple terrier breeds back in the 19th century. Known for their distinctive looks and energetic nature, these pups have been used for a wide variety of purposes throughout history.
Over the years, Airedale Terriers have appeared in a number of books and films, including “Titanic,” “101 Dalmatians,” and “The Great Gatsby.” While they may not be amongst the most popular dog breeds, they do make for wonderful pets, thanks to their loving and friendly nature. Let’s take a look at some fascinating facts and cute pictures of these adorable pups.
They are one of the most versatile dogs
Historically, Airedale Terriers have been used for a number of purposes like hunting, catching rats, and more. Thanks to their agility and athletic nature, they became highly regarded as sporting dogs by the early 20th century. They’re widely regarded as one of the most versatile dog breeds.
They’re the largest of all Terrier breeds
Nicknamed “the King of Terriers,” Airedale Terrier puppies grow up to become large dogs. In fact, they’re the largest of all Terrier breeds. They can grow up to two feet tall and weigh around 60 pounds. Airedale Terrier puppies also become physically strong with time.
It’s important to note that Airedale Terriers are not the same as Welsh Terriers. While some of their features look similar and both breeds originate from the United Kingdom, Welsh Terriers are much smaller in size.
John Wayne once owned an Airedale Terrier
Actor John Wayne once owned an Airedale Terrier pup, named Duke. The Hollywood icon was so fond of his pet that he never went anywhere without the canine. He was once spotted by a local fireman with his dog while on his way to school. The fireman then started calling him “Little Duke” and his dog “Big Duke.”
Apart from Wayne, there are several other celebrities who’ve owned Airedale Terriers. These include Tim Reid, James Earl Jones, Harry Carey, David Hugh-Kelly, A.J. Kronin, Bo Derek, and many others.
They were employed in the army
Due to their exceptional physicality and temperament, Airedale Terriers were employed in the army by the British during the First World War. They were used for a variety of purposes in the army, including sending messages, helping injured soldiers, and more.
It was Lieutenant Colonel Edwin Hautenville Richardson who discovered how dogs could be helpful in the armed services. He later set up extensive training programs for soldier dogs. Richardson used to pay locals who’d pretend to be dead. Subsequently, a canine was tasked with the duty of locating them. Additionally, the dogs were also trained to wear gas masks.
They were used as police dogs
The Airedale Terrier makes for a good police dog, thanks to their intelligence and sniffing abilities. They are among the first breeds who were used for police work in Great Britain. Later, Germany started employing them in police forces after their popularity as police dogs increased in several other countries across Europe.
Multiple US presidents had Airedale Terriers as pets
Another interesting piece of trivia is that former President of the United States Warren G. Harding owned an Airedale Terrier, named Laddie Boy. The pup was adopted from a kennel by Harding and went on to become massively popular throughout his tenure.
Laddie Boy was known to be quite a friendly, loving, and playful dog. He’d often accompany Harding when he played golf and retrieved the ball whenever it struck a tree. The dog was widely covered by the press, with several newspapers even publishing mock interviews with him.
Following Harding’s death in 1923, Boy was adopted by Harry Barker, a Secret Service agent. The canine passed away on Jan. 23, 1929, at the age of eight. To this day, Laddie Boy continues to be regarded as one of the most popular celebrity dogs of all time. Apart from Harding, two other U.S. presidents — Calvin Coolidge and Woodrow Wilson — also had Airedale Terriers as pets.
Airedale Terrier pups can be wonderful companion animals who can bring so much joy and enthusiasm to your life. If you’re considering getting an Airedale Terrier puppy, make sure to consider adopting one from a rescue or shelter before buying from a breeder.
