A 1976 article reprinted from the SCAA Golden Anniversary book.
TRIBUTE TO THE AIREDALE TERRIER
Fellow members of the South of England Airedale Terrier Club, Ladies and Gentlemen.
As your President, I have the honor to propose a toast to our beloved Airedale Terrier whose centenary we, and Airedalers the world over, celebrate in this year of grace 1976.
It was about 100 years ago that he emerges from obscurity and was exhibited as a Waterside Terrier and later as a Bingley Terrier. Still later, he became known as an Airedale Terrier, a name which indicates the place of his origin in the Valley of the River Aire in the West Riding of Yorkshire.
I declare without fear of contradiction that our Airedale Terrier is the greatest of man's creations in the canine world. And we thank, not only the breeders of our generation but those who have preceded us in the immediate and distant past for having made him the great dog he is today.
He is rightly called the King of the Terriers not merely for his size but for the nobility and dignity of his character and, indeed, all the attributes of kingship.
His temperament is benign and generous but he fears no creature on four legs. He stands foursquare to the world and will allow none to affront or attack him with impunity.
He will guard them, their children and their property to the last ditch where he will die for them if needs be.
We see in this great dog all the virtues and qualities of character we would wish to possess for ourselves.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I ask you to be upstanding and drink a toast to our beloved Airedale and with it I couple the name of the Queen.
W. N. Robinson, C.B.E.
Lanewood Airedales
England
As presented at the
Centenary Celebration
England 1976 |
