Airedale Terrier Breed Standard
Comparison Chart

Origin and Purpose / History:	CKC: (Not indicated in Standard.) AKC: The Airedale is thought to have originated in the valley of the Aire in England, descended from the now extinct black-and-tan type terrier. The first Airedales looked completely different from how they appear today, and were known as Working, Waterside and Bingley Terriers. Eventually, the Airedale became known as a dog that could do it all, and was used for wartime guard, messenger duty, rodent control and hunting birds and game. UKC: The Airedale is the largest of all the Terrier breeds. Its origins date back to the mid-1800s, when authorities on the breed believe it was developed as a result of a cross of the Otterhound and the now-extinct Black & Tan Terrier. They were developed in the valley of the River Aire in south Yorkshire, England. These early crosses were called Working, Waterside or Bingley Terriers. They were used for hunting fox, badger, weasel, otter and river rats, plus other small game. The patriarch of the breed is considered to be CH Master Briar (1897-1906). Two of his sons, Crompton Marvel and Monarch, also made important contributions to the breed. The latter was imported to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Airedale Terrier was recognized by United Kennel Club in 1914. KC: (Not indicated in Standard.) FCI: ORIGIN : Great Britain. DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD : 26.03.2009. UTILIZATION : Terrier. CLASSIFICATION F.C.I. : Group 3 Terriers. Section 1 Large and medium- sized Terriers. Working trial optional.
General Appearance:	CKC: (Not indicated in Standard.) AKC: (Not indicated in Standard.) UKC: The Airedale is the largest of all Terriers, and was bred as a hunting and working dog. The breed is well proportioned and somewhat cobby, without exaggeration of leg or body length. It has a harsh, tight coat that is black and tan in color and a moderately long, erect, docked tail. Considered the King of Terriers, it is now used for multiple purposes, from police work to family pet. All characteristics related to the breed’s versatility are to be maintained. KC: Largest of the Terriers, a muscular, active, fairly cobby dog, without suspicion of legginess or undue length of body. FCI: Largest of the Terriers, a muscular, active, fairly cobby dog, without suspicion of legginess or undue length of body.
Temperament / Characteristics:	CKC: (Not indicated in Standard.) AKC: (Not indicated in Standard.) UKC: Airedales are above all fearless, and majestic in appearance. Their courage is unquestioned, but they are not quarrelsome. The Airedale’s proud character is denoted in the carriage of ears and tail. They have quick movement and are always ready for action. They are alert and are a good protection and family dog. KC: Characteristics Keen of expression, quick of movement, on the tiptoe of expectation at any movement. Character denoted and shown by expression of eyes, and by carriage of ears and erect tail. Temperament Outgoing and confident, friendly, courageous and intelligent. Alert at all times, not aggressive but fearless. FCI: BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT : Keen of expression, quick of movement, on the tiptoe of expectation at any movement. Character denoted and shown by expression of eyes, and by carriage of ears and erect tail. Outgoing and confident, friendly, courageous and intelligent. Alert at all times, not aggressive but fearless.
Size, Proportion, Substance:	CKC: (Same as AKC Standard.) AKC: Size Dogs should measure approximately 23 inches in height at the shoulder; bitches, slightly less. Both sexes should be sturdy, well muscled and boned. UKC: Height and Weight Males 23-24 inches at the shoulder. Females, slightly smaller. Both sexes are sturdy, well muscled and well boned. Weight is commensurate with height. KC: Size Height about 58-61 cms (23-24 ins) for dogs, taken from top of shoulder, and bitches about 56-59 cms (22-23 ins). FCI: SIZE : Height about 58-61 cm (23-24 ins) for dogs, taken from top of shoulder, and bitches about 56-59 cm (22-23 ins).
Coat and Colour:	CKC: (Same as AKC Standard.) AKC: Coat: Should be hard, dense and wiry, lying straight and close, covering the dog well over the body and legs. Some of the hardest are crinkling or just slightly waved. At the base of the hard very stiff hair should be a shorter growth of softer hair termed the undercoat. Color: The head and ears should be tan, the ears being of a darker shade than the rest. Dark markings on either side of the skull are permissible. The legs up to the thighs and elbows and the under-part of the body and chest are also tan and the tan frequently runs into the shoulder. The sides and upper parts of the body should be black or dark grizzle. A red mixture is often found in the black and is not to be considered objectionable. A small white blaze on the chest is a characteristic of certain strains of the breed. UKC: Coat The outer coat is moderate in length, hard, dense and wiry. It is straight and close, covering the dog over the body and legs. Some of the hardest coats are crinkling or just slightly waved. Undercoat is short and soft. Faults: Soft, curly or ragged outer coat. Color Body saddle, back of neck and top side of tail are black or grizzled. All other parts are tan. Ears may be a darker tan that the rest of the head and shadings may occur around the neck and the sides of the skull. A small white blaze on the chest is acceptable. Disqualifications: Artificial coloring. Artificial stiffening of the hair coat. KC: Coat Hard, dense and wiry, not so long as to appear ragged. Lying straight and close, covering body and legs; outer coat hard, wiry and stiff, undercoat shorter and softer. Hardest coats are crinkling or just slightly waved; curly or soft coat highly undesirable. Colour Body saddle black or grizzle as is top of the neck and top surface of tail. All other parts tan. Ears often a darker tan, and shading may occur round neck and side of skull. A few white hairs between forelegs acceptable. FCI: HAIR : Hard, dense and wiry, not so long as to appear ragged. Lying straight and close, covering body and legs ; outer coat hard, wiry and stiff, undercoat shorter and softer. Hardest coats are crinkling or just slightly waved ; curly or soft coat highly undesirable. COLOUR : Body saddle black or grizzle as is top of the neck and top surface of tail. All other parts tan. Ears often a darker tan, and shading may occur round neck and side of skull. A few white hairs between forelegs acceptable.
Head:	CKC: (Same as AKC Standard) AKC: Head Should be well balanced with little apparent difference between the length of skull and foreface. Skull Should be long and flat, not too broad between the ears and narrowing very slightly to the eyes. Scalp should be free from wrinkles, stop hardly visible and cheeks level and free from fullness. Ears Should be V-shaped with carriage rather to the side of the head, not pointing to the eyes, small but not out of proportion to the size of the dog. The topline of the folded ear should be above the level of the skull. Foreface Should be deep, powerful, strong and muscular. Should be well filled up before the eyes. Eyes Should be dark, small, not prominent, full of terrier expression, keenness and intelligence. Lips Should be tight. Nose Should be black and not too small. Teeth Should be strong and white, free from discoloration or defect. Bite either level or vise-like. A slightly overlapping or scissors bite is permissible without preference. UKC: Head Well balanced, with skull and muzzle of equal length and a barely visible stop. SKULL - The skull should be long, flat and not too broad, tapering in width slightly towards the eye. The scalp is free of wrinkles. MUZZLE - The foreface should be deep and powerful, well filled below the eyes but delicately chiseled to prevent plainness. The lips are tight. TEETH - A full complement of strong, white teeth meet in a close scissors bite. A level bite is acceptable but not preferred. EYES - Dark and small, not prominent. Full of keenness, intelligence and terrier expression. Light or bold eyes are highly undesirable. NOSE - Black. Not too small. EARS - V-shaped, small, but in proportion to the size of the dog. The topline of the folded ear should be above the level of the skull. Carriage is to the side of the head, not pointed toward the eye. Faults: Pendulous, hound type ears, or ears too high set. KC: Head and Skull Skull long and flat, not too broad between ears, and narrowing slightly to eyes. Well balanced, with no apparent difference in length between skull and foreface. Free from wrinkles, with stop hardly visible; cheeks level and free from fullness. Foreface well filled up before eyes, not dish-faced or falling away quickly below eyes, but a delicate chiselling prevents appearance of wedginess or plainness. Upper and lower jaws deep, powerful, strong and muscular, as strength of foreface is greatly desired. No excess development of the jaws to give a rounded or bulging appearance to the cheeks, as ‘cheekiness’ is undesirable. Lips tight, nose black. Eyes Dark in colour, relatively small, not prominent, full of terrier expression, keeness and intelligence. Light or bold eye highly undesirable. Ears V-shaped with a side carriage, small but not out of proportion to size of dog. Top line of folded ear slightly above level of skull. Pendulous ears or ears set too high undesirable. Mouth Teeth strong. Jaws strong. Scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws preferable, but vice-like bite acceptable. An overshot or undershot mouth undesirable. FCI: HEAD : Well balanced, with no apparent difference in length between skull and foreface. Free from wrinkles. CRANIAL REGION : Skull : Long and flat, not too broad between ears and narrowing slightly to eyes. Stop : Hardly visible. FACIAL REGION : Nose : Black. Muzzle : Foreface well filled up before eyes, not dish-faced or falling away quickly below eyes, but a delicate chiselling prevents appearance of wedginess or plainness. Lips : Tight. Jaws/Teeth : Upper and lower jaws deep, powerful, strong and muscular, as strength of foreface is greatly desired. No excess development in the jaws to give a rounded or bulging appearance to the cheeks, as " cheekiness " is undesired. Teeth strong. Scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws preferable, but vice-like bite acceptable. An overshot or undershot mouth undesirable. Cheeks : Level and free from fullness. Eyes : Dark in colour, small, not prominent, full of terrier expression, keenness and intelligence. Light or bold eye highly undesirable. Ears : " V "-shaped with a side carriage, small but not out of proportion to size of dog. Top line of folded ear slightly above level of skull. Pendulous ears or ears set too high undesirable.
Neck, Topline, Body:	CKC: Neck Should be of moderate length and thickness, gradually widening towards the shoulder. Skin tight, not loose. Body Back should be short, strong and level. From the front, chest deep but not broad. The depth of the chest should be approximately on a level with the elbows. Ribs well sprung. Loins muscular and of good width. There should be but little space between the last rib and the hip joint. Tail The root of the tail should be set well up on the back. It should be carried gaily but not curled over the back. It should be of good strength and substance and of fair length. AKC: Neck Should be of moderate length and thickness gradually widening towards the shoulders. Skin tight, not loose. Shoulders and Chest Shoulders long and sloping well into the back. Shoulder blades flat. From the front, chest deep but not broad. The depth of the chest should be approximately on a level with the elbows. Body Back should be short, strong and level. Ribs well sprung. Loins muscular and of good width. There should be but little space between the last rib and the hip joint. Tail The root of the tail should be set well up on the back. It should be carried gaily but not curled over the back. It should be of good strength and substance and of fair length. UKC: Neck Of moderate length and thickness, clean at the throat, widening gradually towards the body. Body Chest is deep but not too broad. The back is short, strong and level. The ribs are well sprung. Loin is short, broad and muscular, giving little space between the last rib and the hip joint. Tail The tail is customarily docked to a fair length. It is of good strength and substance and is carried high. Fault: Tail curled over the back. KC: Neck Clean, muscular, of moderate length and thickness, gradually widening towards shoulders, and free from throatiness. Body Back short, strong, straight and level, showing no slackness. Loins muscular. Ribs well sprung. In short-coupled and well ribbed-up dogs there is little space between ribs and hips. When dog is long in couplings some slackness will be shown here. Chest deep (i.e. approximately level with elbows) but not broad. Tail Previously customarily docked. Docked: Set on high and carried gaily, not curled over back. Good strength and substance. Tip approximately at the same height as top of skull. Undocked: Set on high and carried gaily. Not curled over back. Good strength and substance. FCI: NECK : Clean, muscular, of moderate length and thickness, gradually widening towards shoulders, and free from throatiness. BODY : Back : Short, strong, straight and level, showing no slackness. Loins : Muscular. In short-coupled and well ribbed-up dogs there is little space between ribs and hips. When dog is long in couplings some slackness will be shown here. Chest : Deep (i.e. approximately level with the elbows) but not broad. Ribs well sprung. TAIL : Previously customarily docked. Docked : Set on high and carried gaily, not curled over back. Good strength and substance. Tip approximately at same height as top of skull. Undocked : Set on high and carried gaily. Not curled over back. Good strength and substance.
Legs:	CKC: Forequarters Shoulders long and sloping well into the back. Shoulder blades flat. Forelegs should be perfectly straight, with plenty of muscle and bone. Elbows should be perpendicular to the body, working free of sides. Hindquarters Should be strong and muscular with no droop. Thighs should be long and powerful with muscular second thigh, stifles well bent, not turned either in or out, hocks well let down, parallel with each other when viewed from behind. Feet should be small, round, and compact with a good depth of pad, well cushioned; the toes moderately arched, not turned either in or out. AKC: Hindquarters Should be strong and muscular with no droop. Legs Forelegs should be perfectly straight, with plenty of muscle and bone. Elbows should be perpendicular to the body, working free of sides. Thighs should be long and powerful with muscular second thigh, stifles well bent, not turned either in or out, hocks well let down parallel with each other when viewed from behind. Feet should be small, round and compact with a good depth of pad, well cushioned; the toes moderately arched, not turned either in or out. UKC: Forequarters The shoulder blades are long, flat and well laid back. FORELEGS - The forelegs are perfectly straight with plenty of muscle and bone. The elbows are perpendicular to the body, working free of the sides. Hindquarters Well angulated, with long, muscular thighs. HIND LEGS – Well bent at the stifle, with short rear pasterns that are parallel when viewed from behind. Faults: Stifles turned in or out. Feet The feet are small, round and compact. They have a good depth of pad, and the toes are moderately arched. Faults: Toes turned in or out. KC: Forequarters Shoulders long, well laid back, sloping obliquely, shoulder blades flat. Forelegs perfectly straight, with good bone. Elbows perpendicular to body, working free of sides. Hindquarters Thighs long and powerful with muscular second thigh, stifles well bent, turned neither in nor out. Hocks well let down, parallel with each other when viewed from behind. Feet Small, round and compact, with a good depth of pad, well cushioned, and toes moderately arched, turning neither in nor out. FCI: FOREQUARTERS : Forelegs perfectly straight, with good bone. Shoulders : Long, well laid back, sloping obliquely. Shoulder-blades flat. Elbows : Perpendicular to body, working free of sides. HINDQUARTERS : Thighs : long and powerful. Stifles : Well bent, turned neither in nor out. Second thigh : Muscular. Hock : Well let down, parallel with each other when viewed from behind. FEET : Small, round and compact, with a good depth of pad, well cushioned, and toes moderately arched, turning neither in nor out.
Gait:	CKC: (Same as AKC Standard.) AKC: Movement: Movement or action is the crucial test of conformation. Movement should be free. As seen from the front the forelegs should swing perpendicular from the body free from the sides, the feet the same distance apart as the elbows. As seen from the rear the hind legs should be parallel with each other, neither too close nor too far apart, but so placed as to give a strong well-balanced stance and movement. The toes should not be turned either in or out. UKC: Movement is free. When viewed from the front, the forelegs should swing perpendicular from the body and free from the sides with the feet the same distance apart as the elbows. When viewed from the rear, the hind legs should be parallel with each other. KC: Gait/Movement Legs carried straight forward. Forelegs move freely, parallel to the sides. When approaching, forelegs should form a continuation of the straight line of the front, feet being same distance apart as elbows. Propulsive power is furnished by hindlegs. FCI: GAIT / MOVEMENT : Legs carried straight forward. Forelegs move freely, parallel to the sides. When approaching forelegs should form a continuation of the straight line of the front, feet being same distance apart as elbows. Propulsive power is furnished by hindlegs.
Faults:	CKC: Yellow eyes, hound ears, white feet, soft coat, being much over or under the size limit, being undershot or overshot, having poor movement, are faults which should be severely penalized. The use of any and all foreign agents for the improvement of dogs in the show ring, such as colouring, dilating the pupil, and stiffening the coat, is forbidden. Such acts are unsportsmanlike and unfair to those exhibitors who live up to the rules. AKC: Yellow eyes, hound ears, white feet, soft coat, being much over or under the size limit, being undershot or overshot, having poor movement, are faults which should be severely penalized. UKC: Soft, curly or ragged outer coat. Pendulous, hound type ears, or ears too high set. Tail curled over the back. Stifles turned in or out. Toes turned in or out. KC: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog. Note Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum. FCI: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog. Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified. N.B. : Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
Disqualifications:	CKC: (Not indicated in Standard.) AKC: (Not indicated in Standard.) UKC: Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. Artificial coloring. Artificial stiffening of the hair coat. Albinism. KC: (Not indicated in Standard.) FCI: Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.

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