Of Lussyland - standard

FCI Standard

Origin: Great Britain

Using: terrier

Classification: terriers, 3. FCI group

Date of current standard publication: 12th March 1998

General: The Airedale should be a harmonically built dog. In gait, the legs are carried straight forward.

Behaviour and temperament: Keen of expression, quick of movement, on the tiptoe of expectation at any movement. Outgoing and confident, friendly, courageous and intelligent. Alert at all times, not aggressive but fearless.

Head: The skull should be long and flat, not too broad between ears and narrowing slightly to eyes. No apparent difference in length between skull and foreface. He should have a powerful foreface but «cheekiness» is undesired.

Eyes: Should have a dark color, small, not prominent, full of terrier expression, keenness and intelligence.

Ears: V-shaped with a side carriage, small in proportion to size of dog. Top line of folded ear slightly above level of skull..

Mouth: Strong teeth and powerful jaws. Scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws preferable, but vice-like bite acceptable.

Forequarters: Shoulders long, well laid back, sloping obliquely. Forelegs perfectly straight, with good bone. Shoulder-blades flat. Elbows perpendicular to body, working free of sides.

Body: Short back, strong, straight and level. Muscular loins. Ribs well sprung. Deep chest but not broad.

Hindquarters: Long and powerful thighs with muscular second thigh. Well bent stifles, which are turned neither in or out.

Feet: Small, round and compact, with a good depth of pad, well cushioned, and toes moderately arched, turning neither in nor out.

Tail: Set on high and carried gaily, not curled over back. Customarily docked. Tip approximately at same height as top of skull.

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. The coat has to be trimmed2 or 3 times a year, it should not be shaved or cut.

Colour: The saddle pattern, neck and top surface of the tail are black or grizzle. All other parts are tan. en bovenzijde van de staart zijn zwart of grijs. Alle andere gedeelten zijn tan-kleurig. A few white hairs between forelegs acceptable.

Size and weight

Measured from the floor to the top of the shoulders:
Dogs: 58 - 61 cm.
Bitches: 56 - 59 cm.

A healthy Airedale, i.e. without over-weight, will weigh from about 20 kg (small bitch) to 30 kg (large dog).