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Effective July of 2009, Airedales may enter AKC Flushing Spaniel Hunting Tests and be awarded AKC hunting titles. In the first week of September 09, history was made when two Airedales became the first of our breed to earn AKC Spaniel Hunting Titles. Scott Lichty and Bob (Regent Wasabi CD, RN, JH) earned the first Junior Hunter (JH)Title followed a few hours later by Deanna Corboy-Lulik and Kaleigh (CH MACH5 Connemara's Tuff Act to Follow MXF, RA, MXJ,CD, SH) earning the first Senior Hunter (SH) Title. In October of 2009 The Airedale Terrier Club of America (ATCA) sponsored their first licensed AKC Spaniel Hunting Test in conjunction with their National Specialty during the Montgomery County Week of events. ( The report and photos from this event CAN BE SEEN HERE ( PDF ) )
To those familiar with the Airedale's history and development, their inclusion into the AKC fraternity of bird dogs was no surprise. The Airedale has been known for its hunting and field abilities since the mid-19th century. The Airedale's birthplace was in England, between the Aire and Wharfe Rivers. Working class people created the breed by crossing the Old English rough-coated Black and Tan Terrier (now extinct) with the Otterhound. The result was a long-legged dog that would soon develop into what we recognize today as the Airedale Terrier. This early version was too big to "go to ground" in the manner of the smaller working terriers; however, it was good at everything else expected of a sporting terrier, and it was particularly adept at water work. The hound blood added to the breed helped the Airedale become more of a multipurpose terrier. This all-around dog could pursue game by powerful scenting ability, be broken to gun, and taught to retrieve. Its size and temperament made it an able guardian of farm and home. One of the colorful, but less-than legal, uses of the early Airedale Terrier was to assist its master in poaching game on the large estates that were off-limits to commoners. Rabbits and fowl were plentiful, and the Airedale could be taught to retrieve game killed by its master, or to pursue, kill, and bring it back itself; making the Airedale the first remote control hunting dog! Before the adoption of the German Shepherd as the dog of choice for law enforcement and search and rescue work, the Airedale terrier often filled this role. The Airedale was extensively used in World War I to carry messages to soldiers behind enemy lines and transport mail. They were also used by the Red Cross to find wounded soldiers on the battlefield. From the war came numerous tales of Airedales delivering their messages despite terrible injury. An Airedale named 'Jack' ran through half a mile of enemy fire, with a message attached within his collar. He arrived at headquarters with his jaw broken and one leg badly splintered, and right after he delivered the message, he dropped dead in front of its recipient. Airedales were introduced in the United States in the 1880's. Their popularity steadily increased as their ability to multi-task farm chores, security duty, hunting, herding, and being a family member brought them to becoming one of the most popular dogs in the US. Presidents Theodore Roosevelt, Calvin Coolidge, and Warren Harding owned Airedales. The Airedale's hunting ability has been documented in hunting journals since the early 1900's. In the 1909 May issue of Country Life in America, Airedales are described as "having a very strong hunting instinct, with few dogs better equipped for shooting in the cover or in the open. The Airedale's speed, endurance, and imperviousness to climactic conditions fit him for bird hunting. He loves the water and can stay in it by the hour on the coldest winter day...making an ideal dog for snipe or to retrieve ducks and geese". In the March 1921 issue of Outing the breed was honored for "being an excellent retriever, particularly from water". Present day Airedales have maintained the strong hunting ability which was bred into them from their inception. In 1985, the ATCA Board of Directors formed the Hunting/Working Committee to promote the Airedale as a field dog. When the AKC denied the committee's petition to open existing AKC hunt tests to Airedales, the ATCA Hunting/Working Committee developed our own ATCA hunting tests for Airedales. Beginning in 1986, the ATCA sponsored National hunt tests, allowing Airedales to participate in varied testing venues. The tests showcased the Airedale's ability to flush and retrieve as well as track and trail fur bearing game. Dogs who successfully completed tests at the ATCA sanctioned venues received Flushing, Retrieving, and Fur titles from the Airedale Terrier Club of America. The breed's ability to excel in a variety of hunting settings resulted in the Airedale being recognized as a "three-in-one" dog. In the fall of 2007 the reorganized and renamed ATCA Hunting and Field Committee, chaired by Karen Copley, saw a potential opportunity for hunting Airedales. The AKC indicated they were open to Airedale participation in Spaniel Hunt Tests and the committee moved to take advantage of that opening. Years of hard work and perseverance by the ATCA paid off in July of 2009 when Airedales took their place on the list of dog breeds recognized by the AKC as a gun dog breed, eligible to obtain AKC Hunting Test Titles. With this one decision by AKC, a whole new world opened. Today there are many training and testing opportunities for Airedales each year, and they are available throughout every region of the country. As Airedales have trained and competed side by side with Spaniels breeds they have earned respect and acceptance within that community. The Spaniel community has been exceptionally welcoming and helpful to Airedale handlers. Their mentoring of the ATCA Hunting and Field Committee has been note worthy and generous. To find AKC Spaniel Hunting Tests or Clubs near you, follow the link below to the AKC site and search 'Spaniel Hunting Tests' or 'Spaniel Clubs' under the "Events Search" button. The Airedale is an amazing breed of dog. For those of you NOT familiar with their innate hunting ability, take an opportunity to visit an up-coming hunting test to see our skilled dogs at work, doing one of the things they were bred to do. Help Support The Hunting & Field Committee
Related Links:2009 Airedales In The Field Report ( PDF ) 2009 Randy Cooley Memorial Hunt Tests ( PDF ) Introduction To Hunt Tests ( PDF ) For more information: please contact Kenneth Cook, chairperson at cook1940@yahoo.com |
