Airedale Terrier Dog Breeder - Akron Ohio dog breeder. Airedale Terrier Airdale obedience agility champion German

Q&AQ: When did you start breeding, or how long have you been breeding?
A: I bought my first Airedale in 1975 against my father's express wishes. I loved that dog, JACK, so much that I've never looked to another breed.

Q: What are the special traits of Airedale Terrier?
A: I like the intelligence, so I call my dogs "Smart Airedales." They are good at so many different activities that it's like owning 3 or 4 dogs. They really can do it all!

Q: Where are your puppies raised?
A: I have a room that opens directly from my bedroom. I would sleep in the whelping box if my husband woud let me. They are very closely supervised and handled multiple times a day from birth onward.

Q: Tell us about your breeding goals.
A: I balance my breeding equally between three concerns: 1)health/longevity 2) temperament/trainability 3) physical soundness/breed type

Q: What other dog breeds have you bred?
A: No other because I specialize.

Q: Have the parents of your puppies both been tested free of genetic defects?
A: We certify the parents with OFA for hips and elbows, and with CERF for normal eyes. No one can test free of all defects as there are thousands of genes and the tests have not yet been developed.

Q: What are the health issues that might appear in Airedale Terrier?
A: Hip Dysplasia runs about 15% nationally. We have seen very little HD as our dogs are mostly rated Excellent, the highest certification. Airedales can also have juvenile eye cataracts and some forms of PRA. Our CERF testing eliminates any possiblity of having an affected dog as a parent.

Q: What are the best match owners for Airedale Terrier?
A: People who like a thinking dog, one that can come up with very expressive character and reactions. Always involve your Airedale in your day to day activities because they want to be with you! Also, train your Airedale so that they can know what you want them to do.

Q: Tell us about success stories your dogs had in the show ring.
A: Thirty years is a lot of shows....winning the Group in Canada under an FCI judge with a dog that I bred, groomed,and showed myself -- getting the second leg of a UD on my intact male Champion Stony, grooming intensely for 30 days and seeing him win Best of Breed at the regional over the top dog in the country and then just two weeks later, getting the third leg of the UD obedience title-- I don't think that it has ever been done before. Hearing that one of my puppies trained in Search and Rescue found a murder victim and help to bring her killer to justice. There are so many more.....

Q: Any tips or advice for a new owner?
A: Read some Airedale Books, talk to us about your needs, and do the research to find out if this is a good fit for you.