Spring Magazine

Issue No 81

Airedales West

West of England

and

South Wales Airedale Terrier Club

Website www.airedaleclub.org.uk

WESWATC Spring Magazine

I’d like to welcome you to our Spring Magazine. Due to certain changes in the WESWATC

Committee, I am taking over for an interim period as the Editor. An excellent standard has

been set by our previous Editor, Paul McCarthy and I hope that I can live up to this.

The magazine very much depends upon the input of the Club’s members and I would

welcome at the earliest opportunity, short or long items for inclusion in the next issue.

I also welcome articles from those readers who are living abroad.

These can be anything connected with Airedales, whether serious or not so serious,

photographs, experiences with the Vet, dog training, holidays with your Airedale, historical

items etc etc. Please include any photographs which are relevant to the item.

We also plan a new “In the Spotlight” feature, where you can submit a photograph of your

Airedale with a brief description of his age, character, etc. and one will be featured in each

edition. There will also be a regular feature under the title “Ann’s Hunt into the Archives”

which will be about Airedales in the past and written by Ann Griffiths.

Please do look at Page 9 where we are inviting you to submit photos for next year’s

calendar. We also have a new person in charge of Rescue, Mrs Diane Hunter and you can

find further information on the Club website.

Would you please send all items for the next magazine to

magazine@airedaleclub.org.uk or telephone 07831 316536 for a mail address.

Jacky Cawston

Content

Page

1 Club Fun Day / Trimming Dates

2/3 Chairman’s Report to the AGM on 24th

February

4 Details of Walk on Dartmoor on 5th

May

5 Why your Club was started.

6 Photo Gallery

7 Boarding kennels, Vets etc., recommended by members/

Is your dog at risk from Lungworm?

8 Canine Communication

9 WESWATC Calendar 2014/Cook for your dog

10 New Members/Train your dog

11 From our archives – Grooming your Airedale

*******

ANNUAL FUN DAY The Club’s Annual Fun Day and BBQ will take place on

Sunday 8th

September 2013 at

Winscombe Community Hall, Sandford Road

Winscombe BS25 1JA

North Somerset

This year’s theme will be “Cowboys and Indians”

and we will be raising money for

The Airedale Terrier Health Fund

More details to follow in the next issue of the magazine

**************

TRIMMING AND SOCIALIZATION CLASSES are

held at Winscombe Community Hall, Sandford Road, North Somerset,

BS25 1JA from 2.30 – 5.30 pm

Dates are as follows.

21st April 18

th August

19th

May 20th

October

16th

June 17th

November

21st July (No class in December)

These are friendly sessions where you can learn to groom your Airedale in the

traditional way as well as having the opportunity to socialize your Airedale and meet

like-minded people. Costs for the Trimming tuition are £2 and 50p for unlimited tea

or coffee and 30p for each portion of cake. Further details can be obtained from

Ruth Millar on 01278 641190.

-1-

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT to AGM held on 24th

February 2013 at Hewish

Good afternoon , thank you for staying on for the AGM.

The first event of the year was our open show held on the 26th

Feb at Hewish. Our

judge was Mrs Patsy Hollings. We had an entry of 13 dogs with no absentees, and the

Companion Classes( most handsome dog, prettiest bitch, and the dog the judge would

most like to take home) were well supported.

Our Championship Show was held on the 25th

of November at Tewksbury Sports

Centre. Terrible floods did not deter the exhibitors , and our judge Ms Dodo Sandahl

from Sweden drew an entry of 54 dogs of whom 10 were absent. Royal Canin

sponsored the show by providing all class winners with dog food, and they also

received embroidered towels from the club. Dodo very kindly presented the major

winners with Airedale calendars.

Our Fun Day this year organised by Katy Richardson and Anne Griffiths had a

Jubilee/Olympics theme. The Design a Crown competition stole the show with some

very imaginative ideas for dogs and handlers. The addition of some new games and a

BBQ at half time made for a most enjoyable and sociable day. Our chosen charity

this year was Nowzad, who rescue stray and abandoned animals in Afghanistan.

Thanks to the generosity of all involved a sum of £300 was raised.

Jacky Cawston has been busy this year organising Airedale Walks, she writes:-

WALK ON THE QUANTOCKS on 1st APRIL 2012

“This was a lovely walk (if I say it myself). We started from Holford which is at the

northern end of the Quantock Hills. We were a select number including our

President, Mrs Ruth Millar who gamely put the rest of us to shame by completing the

whole route including a steep climb to the top of the Quantocks.

The route was circular and followed wooded paths and a stream before climbing up

through bracken covered hillsides to the top, at Bicknoller Post. From here we could

see Wales in the distance and right up as far as Weston Super Mare. Instead of

going back the way we had come, we continued along the top of the hill before

dropping down through beech trees and tracks to our starting point. A walk of about 4

miles in all.

It is difficult to find walks which are without stiles and circular, plus amazing views.

All this on a fine afternoon too.

Some of us went to a nearby hotel and finished the afternoon with a cream tea.

Another walk which sadly was quite low on numbers.”

A WALK BETWEEN LANGPORT AND MUCHELNEY ABBEY

ON 1st JULY 2013

A small group of us met on Sunday 1st July to walk a slightly different route, but

starting from our usual meeting place near the River Parrett at Langport. The

conditions were pleasant in that it was overcast and therefore comfortable for the

dogs.

-2-

Whilst the numbers continue to be on the low side, I think those attending enjoyed our

different route along the old railway line, giving sheltered walking between the trees

and for the dogs, the chance to investigate one or two of the muddy rhynes.

We made the customary stop at Muchelney Abbey and were welcomed by the staff

running the shop – the dogs stayed outside.

The return was following the path alongside the River Parrett.

It is disappointing that the numbers attending have fallen and that requests for

alternative walks have met with very little response.”

Four issues of the magazine Airedales West were produced by the Editor Paul

McCarthy and distributed to all members by email or post. A major development

this year has been the new WESWATC website and thanks go to all, but especially

Mark Downing, for their efforts . In addition to all the information now presented in

a new and modern format, it is now possible to access the current issue of the

magazine and also some back copies. This will cut down production and circulation

costs considerably.

The Club produced another hugely popular Airedale Calendar, with pictures of

WESWATC members dogs. Again a big thank you to Anne Griffiths for her efforts.

It was another busy year for the Rescue and Re-Homing service under the guidance of

Linda McCarthy

Breed Council Meetings have been attended by the Clubs representatives this year as

usual and the Club supported the Breed Stand at Crufts.

Trimming and socialisation classes in Somerset have been well supported and thanks

are due to not only committee members but to some active members who make these

afternoons such a success.

In closing may I say how disappointed we all were to receive the resignations of Paul

and Linda McCarthy. May I assure all that we will be working with some urgency to

solve the problem of fulfilling the roles they carried out.

David Jenkins

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BLUEBELL WALK on Dartmoor on Sunday 5th May setting off at 12 noon Please join us for a walk at Haytor which is on the eastern side of Dartmoor leaving from

the Haytor Main Car Park at 12 noon. The walk will be across open moorland in a circular

route. The ground can be a bit rough and boggy, but there are also some pleasant grass

tracks. Some sturdy footwear is a good idea. If you have a flexi lead for your dog please

bring it, as there may be ponies/sheep grazing in some areas. It is essential dogs are under

control and that there is no worrying of animals because of the legal implications. You

may also like to bring something for a snack as I would hope to stop, weather permitting! If

it is fine there should be wide open views. The area is quite high at about 1200 feet and can

be cool due to the height and we should see some large areas of bluebells if we are lucky.

About 50 yards before arriving at our meeting place, there is the Dandelion Café , a quite

delightful eatery where you can get elevenses, light lunches or cream teas (Sat Nav ref

TQ13 9XT). There is also a pub, The Rock Inn at Haytor Vale (Sat Nav TQ13 9XP) (Tel

01364 661305). Public toilets are at the Haytor Car Park and there is also the Dartmoor

Information Centre and an Ice Cream Van! Although the car park is large, it can be busy

on a Sunday and if so, follow the road on up the hill where there is another parking area on

the left hand side.

DIRECTIONS From the north between J30 and J31 on the M5, follow the signs for

Plymouth along the A38. After about 10 minutes travel, the most straightforward way to

get to Bovey Tracey is to look for the A382 signed Bovey (turn off also says Newton

Abbot). Keep on this road going through the traffic lights and at the 1st roundabout, follow

for Bovey Tracey/Lustleigh until reaching the 2nd

roundabout. Then turn left signed

Widecombe in the Moor on to the B3387. Proceed along the road and about ¼ mile on, take

the first left turn signed Widecombe and you will climb up, eventually going over a cattle

grid onto the open Moor. Ignore a minor Y turn on the left and continuing on look for a

clump of trees on the left and a few houses. You will soon see a sign HF Holidays/Moorland

House Hotel/Dandelion Café and just around the corner is the main Haytor Car Park.

We look forward to meeting you on 5th

May. If you would like further information please

telephone me on 07831 316536 or e-mail rhodorva@googlemail.com. It would be useful to

have some idea of numbers beforehand, so if possible please leave a message by phone or e-

mail or text. I shall be there wet or fine from about 11.30 am. Jacky Cawston

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A History of WESWATC by Mrs Ruth Millar

From time to time new members and even members who have been in the West of England and

South Wales Airedale Terrier Club for some years, ask how the Club started. So the magazine

would be a good place to fill in a few details of how it all began.

During the last War, most dog related activities were suspended, so although there was a wish

among Airedale folk in this neck of the woods to start a Club, nothing would happen until the

War was over.

In 1951 these enthusiasts thought it was time to approach The Kennel Club for their approval to

form a Club and so a meeting was called in Taunton, Somerset and many Airedalers who

wanted to support this idea attended – Anna Care, Mrs Dowdeswell, Mollie Harmsworth, Nan

Haslam, Norah Rawlins, Albert Hearne, Clare Halford, Jean Hopwood, Pat Lawrence, Dai

Reese, Jill Faulds, Irene Hayes, to name but a few. All well known names from the past. Two

established Clubs sponsored this proposal, the Midland Counties ATC and the South of England

ATC. So with these famous names in the West and Wales Airedale fraternity and the support of

the two Clubs, the Kennel Club could hardly refuse.

So the West of England and South Wales ATC was born. The newly formed Club had to cater

for members over a very wide area from Cornwall to Devon, Somerset, Gloucestershire, Dorset,

Hampshire and Wiltshire in the west to Gwent, West, Mid and South Glamorgan, Dyfed,

Gwyned and Powys in Wales. Anna Care of Rural fame became the first Secretary. Other

Committee members were Mrs Dowdeswell, Mollie Harmsworth, Nan Haslam, Norah Rawlins,

Albert Hearn, Dai Rees and Irene Hayes.

Not everyone owned a motor car in the 50’s but that didn’t stop Committee members attending

meetings, usually in a Pub (now that’s a surprise!). Of course, there were many more trains and

Bristol was a very easy destination for both the Welsh members and the West. When I first

became a Committee member, several of the Committee travelled over from Wales on the train

to attend.

The Club offered lots of activities and events for members to enjoy. There were three Shows a

year , although there wasn’t a Championship Show as that didn’t happen until 1988. There were

many more entries at the Shows than attend today and famous names too. Champion Westhay

Fiona, unbeaten in this country and then exported to the States where she held the record for

many years and Champion Riverina Tweedsbairn who was Best in Show at Crufts in 1961 are

two who spring to mind.

The Club has changed a little over the years as meetings are no longer held in Pubs and matches

and obedience classes not held atall. However, today, as well as the two shows a year, there are

Trimming classes for those who want to keep their dog tidy or try their hand at showing, walks

in the countryside, a Fun Day and of course the magazine. Other outings in the past have

included river trips, canal trips with cream teas, Pub dinners and a very memorable evening on

the floating restaurant “Lochiel” where 93 people attended. Also quizzes, talks and film shows.

Sadly these events came to a halt as numbers dropped off. The Committee would happily

start them again if there is sufficient support, but people’s interests seem to lie elsewhere

these days.

Ruth Millar

-5-

PHOTO GALLERY

…. … but why do you have to put this scarf

round my neck just because it’s snowing!

BRILLO

I told you I could

walk on water!!

…and climb mountains too!

HILDA- …and no-one else is going to

sit in my favourite chair! – below

HAZENAIDE dogs at play??!!

Left –

MOLLY and

Ellie

watching TV

A new feature – recommend a boarding kennel, Vet,

dog sitter, dog walker, groomer etc. If you have had a good experience with any of the above, other members may like to know,

although I would point out that it comes from your own experience and others must make their

own judgment as to quality etc.

To start off, I would recommend –

Old Lodge Kennels, near Axminster, Devon - Tel 01297 32216 www.oldlodgekennels.co.uk

This is a family run kennels with owners living on site. There is an extremely large, secure, grass

exercise run and the kennels are clean, very well kept and of varying sizes. Special care is given to

elderly dogs and all kennels are heated.

And Martin Hacker –

Boarding Kennels – Cosy Toes, The Lodge, Allensmore, Hereford HR2 9AJ Tel 01432 263111

This is a very reasonably priced kennel and the dogs come home quite happy and absolutely

spotless. The caring owners obviously spend a lot of time with them because they can tell you

about your dog’s particular character and idiosyncracies.

Please send any recommendations to the Editor – magazine@airedaleclub.org.uk

****************************

LUNGWORM - IS YOUR DOG AT RISK?

Lungworm parasite or Angiostrongylus vasorum can be found in slugs, snails and even frogs that

may inhabit your garden. The problem of lungworm used to be confined to the warmer parts of

the UK, ie the South West, South Wales and some areas of the South East, but more recently it

appears to be spreading throughout the country.

Your dog may accidentally become infected if they have eaten infected larvae and whilst your dog

may not eat slugs or snails (or even a frog!) on purpose, they may accidentally ingest the slimy

trail which could be left on toys or a bone in the garden. They may drink from puddles through

which a slug or snail has travelled.

Although dogs of all ages can become infected with lungworm, younger dogs seem to be more

prone to pick up the parasite. Foxes can form part of the life cycle of the parasite, so there is more

risk where foxes are abundant.

Some of the symptoms which may be shown are coughing, tiring more easily, excessive bleeding

from minor wounds, nose bleeds, bleeding into the eye, anaemia, weight loss, poor appetite,

vomiting, diarrhoea and changes in behaviour.

In essence, make sure your dog does not eat slugs or snails and if any of the afore-mentioned

symptoms appear, seek veterinary advice. If symptoms are caught early, veterinary treatment is

usually very successful. Further information is available on www.lungworm.co.uk

-7-

CANINE COMMUNICATION

What is your dog “saying”?

Your Airedale will communicate through a variety of sounds and these include:-

Whimper – indicates pain or distress, attracts attention, or to appease an angry owner.

Barks – when surprised, defending owner or home, to get attention or to play. The pitch

and tone alter for different situations.

Howl – to tell other dogs their location or when left alone.

Yap – in a higher pitch to invite play

Growls – to indicate displeasure, as a warning when threatened or to convince another dog

that he is strong and powerful and should not be challenged.

Snarl – used when feels threatened.

Yelp – if in sudden pain.

************************

And you may or may not like to know that in an analysis of breeds according to their

behaviour, the Airedale Terrier was classified as follows (taken from “The Perfect Puppy”

Hart & Hart 1988) -

Very high aggression, high reactivity, medium trainability !!

Cairn Terrier Dachshund

West Highland Terrier Miniature Schnauzer

Chihuahua Silky Terrier

Fox Terrier Airedale Terrier

Scottish Terrier

Some unlikely contenders also come within this list! And what do you think

about your Airedale – answers please to the Editor.

FOR SALE

Place your advert in the magazine at a suggested cost of £5 for half a page

or £10 for a whole page. Individual members or businesses are welcome.

Please send to the Editor magazine@airedaleclub.org.uk

-8-

Of course I’m well trained!

********

COOK FOR YOUR DOG!

Liver Dog Biscuits 6 oz whole wheat flour

6 oz porridge oats

6 oz minced liver or 4 oz liver pate

2 oz butter or 1 tablespoon olive oil

1 egg

milk to mix

Mix the flour, and oats and add the butter in flakes, mixing in with your fingers or stir

in the olive oil. Then add the liver and the egg and mix well. Gradually add sufficient

milk to make a stiff consistency and then knead until smooth. Roll out on a floured

board and cut into shapes about ½ inch thick.

Bake in an oven heated to 400 F or 200 C for about 15-20 minutes or until golden

brown.

-9-

WESWATC

CALENDAR 2014 We need your help to produce the Club calendar for next year.

If you would like to submit your Airedale pictures for a chance to be

included in our popular Club calendar please send them to:-

Alan Shellard at artiprod@msn.com and a duplicate to

artiprod@virginmedia.com

It would be helpful if pictures could reflect Winter, Spring, Summer,

Autumn and Christmas.

Pictures need to be in a format that can be read on either a PC or

MAC computer.

Please include the name of the owner and the name of the dog(s)

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION

30th

JUNE 2013

WELCOME TO THE FOLLOWING NEW MEMBERS:-

Simon & Alison Kinder, Ross-on-Wye

Michael & Sheila Spinner, Wareham

Kate Dare, Barford St Martin, Wilts

Emma Webber, St Austell

Carl & Suzie Badman, Yeovil

William Byrne, Penryn, Cornwall

Paula Islam, South Petherton

We hope you enjoy the magazine and will be able to join us this year for some

of our events.

************* AND WHO SAID AN AIREDALE CAN’T BE TRAINED!

Training for a Good Recall

Training a dog to do a good recall can be very frustrating, and an Airedale even

more so! There are all those distracting smells, or dogs or people that your

Airedale may prefer to investigate. However it is an important exercise to

ensure your dog’s safety and welfare, that he comes to you immediately, when

called. Some tips are as follows

1. Never, ever scold your dog if he is slow to return or gets distracted on the way back

to you.

2. Always have with you a ‘high value’ treat which is not normally used, such as cheese,

liver, sausage etc.

3. Supplement this with a whistle, preferably of the type that only your dog can hear.

4. Consistently use the same word – ie ‘COME’ prefaced with the dog’s name.

5. When calling your dog, walk backwards a few steps and hold your arms out wide,

moving them up and down a bit – dogs have very good vision for movement at a

distance.

6. Use lots of verbal praise when the dog returns, in addition to the treat. Later on it

should be unnecessary to always offer a treat and verbal praise should be sufficient.

7. Initially start these exercises within the confines of your garden.

8. You can graduate to an open space, but make sure there are not too many distractions

first of all.

9. It is a good idea when first going to an open space to attach a lightweight training line

to your dog, so that you can encourage him to come to you, if he is at all reluctant.

This can be dispensed with later on.

10. Finally, don’t practice this exercise and then immediately put your dog’s lead on and

terminate the walk. He will soon catch on not to return! GOOD LUCK

Please let me know if you would like “Training” as a regular topic and send

in your queries to magazine@airedaleclub.org.uk

-10-

GROOMING ********

A trip into the Archives, has produced Club magazines dating back to 1981

and an article on “Grooming your Airedale” seems as relevant today, as it

was 32 years ago!! It was written by Carol Francis as follows-

“Leaving aside the finer points of trimming and show preparation, information which may be

obtained at the trimming classes run by the Club, it is surprising that many owners are less

particular than they should be about their Airedale’s basic grooming, general care and

cleanliness. A little time and effort regularly spent will certainly result in a happier, more

comfortable animal and may well avoid costly veterinary bills in the long-term.

At the risk of stating the obvious, your dog will feel much better if he has a brush and comb

put through his coat, if possible on a daily basis. When the coat becomes longer, regular

carding (drawing the comb or trimming knife through the coat with the teeth or blade lying

horizontal to the coat and going “with” the direction of hair growth) will dislodge a great deal

of dead and loose hair, the jacket will lie flatter, look neater and the dog will certainly

appreciate the “deep cleanse” which this action produces.

Do be fastidious about the removal of tangles and knots – these have a nasty habit of lurking

in the more inaccessible places, on the underbelly, the backs of the elbows and on the insides

of both front and hind legs, often unnoticed by the owner who concentrates only on the “bits

which show”. If the more difficult areas are attended to each time the dog is groomed, the

gentle teasing out of the odd tangle will not constitute a major under-taking for both owner

and dog. It is only when they are allowed to accumulate that the whole procedure becomes

painful for the dog, difficult for the owner and all too often results in a battle of wills which

neither side is anxious to repeat – so the gap between confrontations widens and each time the

situation becomes worse.

Another often neglected area is feet. Keep the hair between the pads cut short and check

regularly for mud balls. Wet mud often compresses into hard lumps between the pads and

presses into the foot, causing discomfort and sometimes even lameness. If these mud balls

cannot be carefully eased out or cut out, it may be necessary to soak the foot in warm water

first to soften the mass.

Going to the other end of the body, regular attention to ears could well save an expensive visit

to your Vet and perhaps painful surgery for your pet. Because of the semi-pricked ear

carriage of the Airedale, circulation of air around the ear is partially obstructed, thus

producing the hot, humid atmosphere which is the ideal breeding ground for bacteria. It is

therefore very important that the underside of the ear flap and entrance to the ear canals are

kept as clean and free of hair as possible to give maximum ventilation. However, plucking

hair from this area is not advised if the ear canal is already inflamed as this procedure will

only aggravate an already painful situation. In such cases, consult your Vet as an anti-

inflammatory preparation will probably need to be prescribed before further remedial steps

can be taken.

A common-sense routine, followed regularly will take so little time and pay enormous

dividends in basic good health and general appearance.

CAROL FRANCIS

PLEASE DON’T FORGET THE MAGAZINE NEEDS YOUR

ARTICLES/ PHOTOS FOR THE NEXT ISSUE !

-11-