The Airedale Terrier originated in the Aire River Valley in England, where they hunted large rats. Airedales often competed in rat hunting contests, which attracted lots of spectators. Ferrets would be sent into rat burrows to flush out the rodents, and the Airedales would then chase them into the river.

Do Airedales hunt bears?

"They can be a hunting dog or a cow dog, and they can take care of the kids for you," Swanson says. These wire-haired black and copper-red dogs weigh about 60 to 70 pounds. Despite their small size, these Airedales are able to take-on adult grizzly bears.

Is Airedale Terrier a hunting dog?

The Airedale Terrier was developed in in England in the mid-19th century specifically for hunting both fur and feathered game. ... The Airedale's speed, endurance, and imperviousness to climactic conditions fit him for bird hunting.