Early History

The Airedale Terrier was developed in England in the mid-19th century by working-class men who didn’t have the space or means to keep multiple dogs.  He was intended to be a versatile dog that could track and kill larger game, guard the family farm, and occasionally drive home wayward livestock in addition to hunting and retrieving upland birds and waterfowl.  All this was accomplished by the Airedale while also being a loyal companion who enjoyed playing with children.

The men who began the blend of breeds that was to become the hunting Airedale Terrier were not gentlemen of the sporting world, but rather practical farmers who needed a game dog that would go after vermin as well as bring in birds for their table.

The Airedale Terrier began to be imported into the US in the mid 1880’s and was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1888.  Almost immediately, hunters in the US began using them to hunt all types of game.  A further insurgence of the Airedale into North America in the early 20th century brought expanded hunting opportunities for the breed. The Airedale’s outstanding performance, both as an efficient farm dog and as hunter of “big game” such as bear and mountain lion, soon shaped the breed’s reputation. 

However, early accounts of Airedales hunting also regularly included references to the breed’s abilities as a gun dog, used to flush and retrieve a variety of upland birds and waterfowl.  In the May 1909 issue of Country Life in America, for example, Airedales were described as “having a very strong hunting instinct, with few dogs better equipped for shooting over in the cover or in the open. The Airedale’s speed, endurance, and imperviousness to climactic conditions fit him for bird hunting.  He loves the water and can stay in it by the hour on the coldest winter day, making him an ideal dog for snipe or to retrieve ducks and geese”.  While traditional sporting breeds such as retrievers and spaniels shaped public perception of a “gun dog”, there have always been a number of fanciers who continued to use Airedales as bird dogs.

Early Hunting Magazine w/ Airedales on the cover

The Hunting/Working Committee

In the mid-1980’s some hunting Airedale fanciers met through their participation in Airedale Terrier Club of America (ATCA) activities. They determined there was significant interest among fellow breeders in preserving and developing the Airedale’s hunting abilities. So, in 1985, the ATCA Hunting/Working Committee (HWC) was formed by the club’s board of directors to preserve and promote the Airedale Terrier’s abilities as hunting companions.  

At this same time (the mid 1980’s), the American Kennel Club (AKC) began holding hunt tests for dog breeds belonging to their “Sporting Group”.  Hunting tests for retrievers, flushing spaniels and pointing breeds were devised that demonstrated hunting skills and allowed dogs to earn AKC hunting titles to be added to their pedigrees.  Under the program, hunting breeds could only run in one type of test leaving versatile breeds like Airedales having to choose what type of test to run in.  The Hunting/Working Committee did not think the Airedale fit into any one of these three categories, believing instead that the best way to truly test a hunting Airedale was to test the breed’s skill at hunting fur, upland birds and waterfowl in a three-in-one gun dog test.

One of the first acts of the HWC was to apply to the AKC for the registry to hold a special three-in-one test just for Airedales. The request was denied. Instead, the AKC encouraged the HWC to develop and hold its own club hunt tests. 

In 1986, the HWC held its first Hunting/ Working Nationals Weekend in Ohio.  A few years later the HWC began running club hunt tests with further improvements coming later as the tests began to be run by more formal AKC approved guidelines.  ATCA club hunt test titles followed as the event showcased the Airedale’s ability to flush and retrieve as well as track and trail fur bearing game.  

Airedale at a Hunting/Working Committee Hunt Test ca. 1999.

In 1999 the Hunting and Working Committee again applied to the AKC for admission into the hunt test program.  This time the request was for admission into both the AKC Hunting Tests for Spaniels and the AKC Hunting Test for Retrievers.  Trailing and treeing of fur was not part of this proposal this time.  Unfortunately, the AKC had not yet changed their stance on allowing gun dogs to run in only one type of test and the request was denied.

ATCA club hunting tests continued for several more years as before until early in 2007 when the Hunting Working Committee decided to incorporate and become Hunting Working Airedales, Inc., independent from the ATCA. 

The Hunting and Field Committee

The Hunting and Field Committee (HFC) was formed in October 2007 to continue promoting Airedales for field work on behalf of the ATCA. The following year, at the urging of the AKC, the HFC decided not only to apply to the AKC to allow Airedale Terriers to run in their Spaniel Hunt Tests, but to obtain a license to hold AKC Spaniel Hunting Tests themselves. Both applications were approved! Airedales were finally allowed to run and title in AKC hunt tests for the first time and a tradition of ATCA sponsored AKC hunting tests began!

With this one decision by the AKC to include our breed in their hunting test program, a whole new world opened for Airedales as they instantly became recognized by the entire hunting public as legitimate gun dogs! Since 2009, when participation began, eleven Airedale Terriers have earned AKC Master Hunter titles in Spaniel tests. Goal #1, AKC hunt test titles for Airedales achieved!

The ATCA HFC began running the Randall Cooley Memorial AKC Spaniel Hunt Test in Wisconsin in 2010 and it has been run every year since except in 2020 due to the COVID 19 pandemic. It has been a very popular test in the flushing spaniel community and with the AKC as the tests have filled to capacity year-after-year.

Also in 2010, the AKC started a program called “Parent Club Performance Events” designed to acknowledge breed specific natural abilities. At the time, the HFC was working to cement the Airedale’s future in AKC Spaniel Hunting Tests, to perfect how they ran the Cooley Hunt Test in Wisconsin, and promoting hunting Airedales at Pheasant Forever’s National Pheasant Fest conventions held in rotating cities in the Midwest each year. In 2016, the ATCA Hunting and Field Committee applied to have their Fur Tracking and Trailing Test approved for AKC titling under Parent Club Title program. Working with the AKC Performance Events Department in 2017, ATCA club testing guidelines and titles were revised, and the event was approved to begin in 2018.

Beginning in 2018 and continuing since, the ATCA has held two Fur Tracking and Trailing Tests each year. One of these tests is held at the Cooley Hunt Test in Wisconsin in May, the other is held in conjunction with Hunting Working Airedales, Inc. at their Nationals event in Ohio in September. AKC Fur Tracking and Trailing Titles can be earned at either event. Many Airedales have taken advantage of this opportunity to add JFT, SFT and MFT titles to their dog’s AKC pedigrees. Goal #2, an AKC Fur tracking and Trailing title for Airedales achieved!

An Airedale retrieving a bird from the field at the ATCA Cooley Hunt Test.

In 2017, it was learned that some breeds were being allowed by the AKC to run in more than one type of AKC hunting test. Versatile breeds that had a history of being used for different types of bird hunting were being allowed to show their skills and title in each. Seeing an opportunity, the ATCA Hunting and Field Committee worked diligently on a proposal and applied to have Airedales admitted into the AKC Retriever Hunt Testing program in 2018. Airedale Terriers were approved to participate and title in the program beginning August 1, 2019. Since 2019, many Airedales have participated and titled in these events with more to come. Goal #3, AKC Retriever hunt test titles for Airedales achieved!

With this last goal achieved, the initial dream of the ATCA Hunting/Working Committee back in the 1980’s was completely achieved. AKC hunt test titles for the versatile three-in-one Airedale Terrier became a reality!

Four Airedales earned ribbons in AKC Retriever Hunt Test in 2021!

Why Hunt Tests?

In the world of gun dogs, the most serious owners and handlers hunt test and/ or field trial their dogs.  For many breeds, dogs earning titles are the ones that are bred and sold.  Airedale Terriers being allowed into hunt tests verifies to the hunting public that the breed is a legitimate gun dog, without question.  This is key to the goal of the ATCA Hunting and Field Committee as well as Hunting Working Airedales, Inc., in preserving and promoting the hunting Airedale.  In addition, hunt tests allow the hunting public a chance to see Airedales in action, some of whom have been pleasantly surprised to see how well-trained Airedales can do in the tests.

We encourage anyone who owns a hunting Airedale Terrier to run their dogs in hunt tests.  At this time, Airedales can earn titles in AKC Spaniel Upland Hunting Tests and AKC Retriever Hunting Tests.  They can also run in NAHRA Field Tests to earn ribbons but not title, yet.  

Training for and running dogs in hunt tests is really fun and dogs love it!  It also helps all Airedales by helping restore the breed’s reputation as a gun dog.

Michael Sites from St Louis, MO with Stillwaters Reeva Mia SH, MFT, TD,
GD, SHV (Reeva) and Legends Airedales Eureka’s Pride MHA, MFT, TD,
SHV (Maya). Maya was the first Airedale to earn the prestigious AKC Master
Hunter Advanced title!

Collaboration with HWA, Inc.

The Hunting & Field Committee has worked side by side with Hunting Working Airedales, Inc. over the years to support each club and work towards the common goal of preserving and promoting hunting Airedale Terriers.  Members of each club are also members of the other and we support each other’s events and goals, as it should be.

Publicity for the Hunting Airedale

The Hunting Airedale Terrier has been featured in the national publication, Gun Dog Magazine, four times.  These were in May 1996, October 2007, March 2012 and May 2017 when an Airedale was actually on the cover!

Dave Morgan’s Paladin on the Cover!

Promoting the Airedale as a Gun Dog

Pheasants Forever is a habitat preservation organization located in St. Paul, MN.  Every year, they hold a national convention they call their “National Pheasant Fest”.  The event, held in rotating cities around the Midwest, showcases all things about Pheasant hunting, including gun dogs.  

Dogs are the main draw for the nearly 30,000 people who attend Pheasant Fest each year.  Up to 30 different breeds participate in the annual “Bird Dog Parade” that kicks off the event each year.  The ATCA has been proud to sponsor a booth at the event and exhibit our dogs in the parade many times.  We will continue to do this when we can do so

Pheasant Fest Airedale Booth Exhibits

Presence on Social Media

Hunting Working Airedales, Inc and the ATCA Hunting & Field Committee have active FaceBook sites to inform the public of current events regarding the hunting Airedale.  A YouTube video entitled “Airedale Hunting Style” was produced several years ago that now has over 105,000 views.  In addition, a YouTube Channel called “Airedales in the Field – Scott Lichty” was created to showcase what training and Airedale for hunt tests is like and it includes video from actual hunting tests.

In conclusion

Hunting Working Airedales, Inc. and the ATCA Hunting and Field Committee are breeders, hunters and hunt testers who are committed to preserving and promoting the Airedale Terrier’s hunting abilities. We further promote the breed through continuing to run the ATCA Cooley Hunt Test, by running our own dogs in hunt tests, and by encouraging others to run in AKC hunt tests. HWA also continues to run their “Fun in the Field” event in the spring and their “Nationals” event in the fall with seminars and a Fur Tracking and Trailing Test.  We also mentor people who are new to training an Airedale for hunting by providing information about Spaniel clubs, Retriever clubs, and professional trainers.  We also will recommend training books and anything else Airedale as needed.

For information on any of these, see the links below or contact Scott Lichty, Hunting and Field Committee Chair. Airedalescott@gmail.com.

Hunting Airedale Links
Several documents are available to read about hunting Airedale Terriers under each of the following links.

Historic Documents About Hunting Airedales:
Airedales Approved to Enter Spaniel HT
 Airedale Terrier Upland Hunting Style
First Airedales In Spaniel Hunt Test
Airedales Earn Their First Field Titles
Approval for Airedale Fur Tracking Titles
Airedales Eligible for AKC Retriever Hunt Tests in 2019
Airedale Terriers Join the Hunt

Reference Documents:
AKC Spaniel Hunting Test Program
Regulations and Guidelines for AKC Hunting Tests for Spaniels
AKC Retriever Hunt Tests – Join in the Fun
Regulations and Guidelines for AKC Hunting Tests for Retrievers
AKC Retriever Hunt Test Definitions
ATCA Fur Tracking & Trailing Test Regs v2019
ATCA Retriever Hunt Test Regulations v 2019
Airedale Terrier Club of America GD Test – 2012
Training for AKC Retriever Hunt Tests
Gun Dog Basics – What is a Gun Dog?

Magazine Articles Featuring Hunting Airedales:
1996 March Gun Dog Magazine
2007 October Gun Dog Magazine
2010 March Gun Dog Mailbag
2012 May Gun Dog Magazine
2017 June Gun Dog Mag Magazine
2009 October Dog News
2010 February AKC Gazette
2012 December Canine Chronicle
2015 Today’s Breeder – Airecraft Airedales
2017 October Dog News