Our
Goal
Our
goal in breeding Airedales has always been to breed as close
to the AKC standard as possible, making the dog look and act
like it was meant to be in the first place. Although size may
vary, the average size of our Airedales is 23 inches tall at
the top of the shoulders, and weight is 55 to 65 pounds for
males. The females are about 1 to 2 inches shorter and weigh
around 41 to 50 pounds. We have spent years studying pedigrees
and bloodlines trying to choose only stud dogs and females to
breed that compliment the breed standard. We do not have eye
problems with our particular bloodlines and hips are checked
on all of our breeding dogs, to make sure they don't have any
hip problems. Our females are usually bred only one time and
then neutered, as we feel we do not have to breed multiple times
to get what we desire out of our breeding program.
Puppy
Handling
We
do a lot of extra work with our puppies before we sell them,
as we feel that it really helps them adjust better in their
new homes. If they are handled a lot and put on a schedule while
they are still all together with their littermates, going to
their new homes and getting on a schedule isn't so traumatic
for them. As soon as the puppies are weaned, 5 to 6 weeks, we
start putting them on the grooming table. We cut and file their
toenails, clean out their ears, and clip their pads, bellys,
and bottoms with a clipper. We scissors around the feet and
neaten up the areas we clipped, with the scissors. Then we brush
and comb them, getting them used to the whole grooming process
at a very early age. We do this several times during the week
before they leave for their new homes. This gets them used to
being handled and groomed.
Puppies
are separated into fiberglass crates, so they are no longer
sleeping in a bunch, and getting especially attached to one
of their littermates which may cause more anxiety when they
are taken away from their litter and placed in their new home.
We go from 3 or 4 puppies in a large crate, down to 1 or 2 puppies
as the days progress. This gets the puppy used to being able
to stretch out and to like his or her own space. This also helps
to have a puppy that is used to a crate when you take it home,
practically eliminating the screaming and crying experience
that could go on and on for days, if the puppy is not used to
being caged, or without his or her littermates. Our puppies
actually love their cages and want to go into them for their
naps.
