INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE OWNERS OF AIREDALE TERRIERS
After researching the breed and speaking to breeders and owners you have decided that the Airedale Terrier is the breed for you.
The next step would be to then endeavour to see as many adult Airedale Terriers as possible so that you are getting a “warts and all” picture of the breed before purchasing your puppy or rescuing an adult. There is a national breed club and regional clubs whose information can be found on their web sites and a list of clubs with contact details can be found overleaf. Information is also available from the Kennel Club. These clubs organise various events during the year and attending one of these events would be advantageous to meeting a number of Airedale Terriers in one place and the opinions and advice of other owners sought.
The majority of clubs have either a puppy list or a list of breeders in their area. These could either be sent to you or accessed via the relevant club web site.
It is worthwhile visiting breed specialist kennels before making your decision. This may involve some travelling, as breeders are countrywide. Your patience and time spent will be rewarded, as your chosen new puppy will hopefully be a best friend for many years.
When visiting a breeder if you have concerns about the environment and condition of the puppies please do not purchase because you feel sorry for them but contact the appropriate local authority. In taking them away from that environment will be perpetuating the actions of the breeder.
By contacting a responsible breeder you should have the expectation that they will conform to the Kennel Club Code of Ethics:-
1. Register all breeding stock and puppies at The Kennel Club.
2. Sign and hand over The Kennel Club Registration Certificate at the time of sale. (Occasionally it may not be available at the time of sale.)
3. Fully explain any endorsements on the registration form that pertains to the sale.
4. In the puppy sales wallet you should be provided with written advice on feeding and worming programmes, if any immunisation measures have been taken/and or to be taken. Socialisation, exercise, future training, grooming requirements and equipment:- leads, collars, brushes, combs, feeding bowls etc.
5. Provide you with reasonable after-sales telephone advice.
6. Provide a contract of sale to be signed by both seller and buyer.
7. You should also receive a Pedigree Certificate signed by the breeder and the puppy’s Kennel Club registered name and number together with the Sire and Dam’s Hip Score (*).
Please note:- On Friday 6th April 2007 the Animal Welfare Act became law in England and with it, a ban on tail docking for all but working dogs.
If the breeder is a dedicated or a Kennel Club Assured Breeder then you should be confident that they will provide you with all the above information.
(*) Hip Scoring: You will need to ask the breeder for the Hip Score of the Sire and Dam of the litter. Dysplasia means abnormal development and the degree of hip Dysplasia present is indicated by a score assigned to each hip. The hip score is the sum of the points awarded for each of nine aspects of the X-rays of both hip joints. The minimum score is 0:0 and the maximum is 106 (53 for each hip). The lower the score the less degree of Hip Dysplasia present. The mean or average score is calculated for all breeds under the Scheme and advice for breeders to use only breeding stock with scores below the breed mean score. The breed mean score at present is 16 (Both hips added together). The higher the score the more likely the animal is to develop arthritis-related problems in later years.
WHEN VISITING THE BREEDER
You should expect the following:-
• Please make sure to the best of your ability to keep the appointment time agreed (please let the breeder know if for
any reason you are unable to keep the appointment). Appointments are essential when maybe other potential puppy
owners may be travelling from a distance away. You will need to feel happy with all aspects of your visit
• On arrival at the premises you should feel that you are welcome and the breeder willing to spend time with you and are happy to discuss any aspects of their puppies and adult dogs. The breeder should let you know their experience with the breed, the length of time they have been breeding and the various activities they take part in i.e. Showing the breed, Obedience, involvement with breed clubs etc
.
• Most breeders will question you on your reasons for taking on a new Airedale Terrier and will require knowing the
make up and ages of the family, your lifestyle, and your work routines. Photographs of where you live and any previous animals you have owned could be taken with you to show the breeder. It is advisable if possible to bring any children you may have with you to make sure they are happy to accept a new member of the family.
• Airedale Terriers are a hardy breed and do not necessarily need to be bred within the house. Suitable whelping areas and outside kennels are appropriate for the breed. The puppies and dam as well as any other animals on the premises should be well cared for, be clean, appear happy, and contented. Their living conditions should be tidy and smell clean and free of “old” excrement. The animals should be kept in a light airy environment with plenty of room to play and develop. Outdoor kennels should provide warmth and protections from the weather.
• The dam of the litter should be available for you to see but not always the sire. Often a sire from a different kennel is used but a photograph of the sire should be available for you to see.
• Depending on distance you should be able to make return visits to the puppies before arranging the date and time you will be able to take one home.
• After you have considered all the above, made the decision to go ahead and the breeder is happy to let you have one of their puppies. You will need to establish what deposit will be required to hold the puppy for you and any further conditions of sale.
• PLEASE REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE PURCHASING AN ADULT AIREDALE TERRIER NOT JUST A PUPPY.
REGIONAL CLUBS CONTACT DETAILS
NATIONAL AIREDALE TERRIER ASSOCIATION
HON. SECRETARY: MRS J. BROWN
19 Canadian Crescent, Selsey, Chichester PO20 0UQ Telephone: 01243 604046
Email: julie.nata@tesco.net
THE MIDLAND COUNTIES AIREDALE TERRIER CLUB
HON. SECRETARY: MISS J. MARTIN
73 Sunnyside, Ibstock, Leicestershire LE67 6JH Telephone: 01530 261041
Email: toba73@supanet.com
THE NORTH OF ENGLAND AIREDALE TERRIER CLUB
HON. SECRETARY: Sec. Mr. D. Ablard Tel: 07799 604020
AIREDALE TERRIER TRAINING CLUB OF RUSHMOOR
HON. SECRETARY: MRS B. HALY
Westhall Cottage, Redhill, Oxford Road, Denham UB9 4LE Telephone: 01895 833875
Email: bobbyhaly@yahoo.co.uk
THE SOUTH OF ENGLAND AIREDALE TERRIER CLUB
HON. SECRETARY: MRS B. HALY
Westhall Cottage, Redhill, Oxford Road, Denham UB9 4LE Telephone: 01895 833875
Email: bobbyhaly@yahoo.co.uk
WEST OF ENGLAND AND SOUTH WALES
AIREDALE TERRIER CLUB
HON. SECRETARY: MR M. HACKER
The Gamekeepers Cottage, Upper Goytre Farm, Campston Hill, Pandy, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire NP7 8EE
Telephone: 07867 596785
Email: airedalesWESWATC@yahoo.co.uk
THE AIREDALE TERRIER CLUB OF SCOTLAND
HON. SECRETARY: MRS W. TURNER Wendy Turner, Waulkmill House, Inverkeilor, by Arbroath Angus DD11 4SA
Telephone: 01241 830406
E mail: Waulkmill@aol.com
AIREDALE TERRIER CLUB OF NORTHERN IRELAND
HON. SECRETARY: MRS M. E. GREGG
89 Moss Road, Ballynagarrick, Carryduff, Belfast BT8 8HX Telephone: 028 9081 3467
Email: rmbambusa@hotmail.com
CRILLEE AIREDALE TERRIERS
DO’S AND DONT’S TO HELP YOU ALONG THE WAY
VACCINATIONS Your puppy should be inoculated against Distemper (including hardpad) Virus Hepatitis Leptospirosis and ParvoVirus. These diseases are usually covered by one vaccine and the puppy will need three inoculations before it can be taken out of the garden. The first inoculation has been done by our vet but please contact your own vet to do the remaining inoculation as soon as possible. Our vet uses the Canigen Vaccine. Your Puppy has also been health checked by our vet and has a clean bill of health.
MICROCHIP Your puppy has also been Microchipped and all the relavant information is supplied with your puppy pack. Please remember to transfer the microchip details into your name and address for the information to be updated on the Petlog database.
SOCIALISATION Trips in the car before he/she can go out are a good idea to get him/her use to travelling. Under no circumstances leave your dog in the car on warm days. Even overcast days can cause distress if the weather is warm.
Take your puppy to training classes as soon as the vaccinations have been completed and to places where it will meet other dogs as it is important to socialise as soon as possible. Your vet may hold Puppy Parties where dogs of a similar age can socialise in a relaxed but fun atmosphere. It is strongly recommended that your puppy is introduced to as many situations as possible before four months of age. Training in the home should begin on DAY ONE as that bundle of fur will be a strong dog in 9 months time and it will need to learn it’s place in the family is NOT top dog - this spot is your place!
GROOMING As your puppy will need regular grooming, we suggest you try to groom on a table (a rubber car mat gives a non-slip surface) so when it is time for your Airedale to be trimmed it will not feel nervous about being on the grooming table. If possible try to find someone to hand strip the coat and avoid it being clipped as this does soften the coat and the colour usually fades. When grooming your puppy pay particular attention to the feet making sure there are no knots in between the pads, around the mouth where food can get stuck to the hair, and finally at the rear end keeping it clean, if necessary scissor the hair away around its bottom. Please never leave your puppy unattended on a table as if he/she falls off this will cause serious injury.
EXERCISE Airedale puppies require only a small amount of social exercise as the food they eat should be used for growth and not as energy for exercise. After 6 months gradually increase the exercise until you think he/she has had sufficient. Never take a puppy on a long a walk, and when out on a walk, take care that when meeting older dogs your puppy does not get bowled over in play by an older heavier dog. Always give your puppy some play time, he/she will tire quickly and probably sleep longer.
Never let your puppy run up and down stairs, if possible fix a gate to your stairs so temptation is not there. Don’t allow your puppy to jump on and off furniture, lay down some ground rules that your puppy must adhere to and remember a puppy learns more in its first 12 weeks of age than at any other time in its life. Stop shy biting as soon as possible, especially with children, and never leave small objects lying around that your puppy can swallow ie. socks pencils, rubbers, soap to name a few.
FINALLY It is a legal requirement for a dog to wear a collar with a disc. Always put your surname and telephone number plus the vets telephone number but NOT the dog’s name. Always be a responsible owner and “pick up” after your dog when out walking. Always carry a disposable bag with you.
Any problems with your puppy during its life time do not hesitate to contact us and we will do our upmost to be of assistance.