Airdales,what are they like?Or Lurchers/wolfhoundy types?

[hellymelly]

My old fox terrier has some health problems and probably won't be around for much more than a year or so,and we are mulling over getting another dog while he is still with us (he is very sociable) or getting another when he dies . I've only had fox-terriers,although I grew up with a hound cross.We may well get another foxy,but I am wondering about an airdale,and have no idea what they are like.I am assuming they are rather similar to fox terriers,but maybe that is wrong? The other sort of dog I like aside from terriers are lurchers, or any hairy wolfhound/deerhound type of dog,and my dog really loves them too,but again I've never owned one so am not sure what they are like. My dds are quite small still (4 and 6) but very good with animals.

I have an airedale and even with extensive challenging terrier experience (smooth fox terrier and a kerry blue) they are a different kettle of fish. Ours is bombproof with the kids, trust him entirely, but we live in the country and the landowner has in the past year started stocking a LOT of sheep. The dog is obsessed with the sheep and not in a good way.

It is very stressful trying to balance keeping him in the garden and checking the sheep are still alive. Our garden is not fence able btw. He also chases passing cars (quiet private farm lane, so not much passing traffic) and I dread the day that someone comes to the door demanding payment for a scratched car. He knows its wrong, won't do it if we are in sight, as soon as we are out of sight he is off.

He also loves to dig, big style, but that's just a minor irritation I can live with!
Personality wise and loyalty wise they are brilliant, but i'd certainly consider a welsh terrier as a previous poster suggested. The coat isn't a massive issue, we just get him clipped every 8 weeks by a groomer and she does a fantastic job.

We are having to make the difficult decision to possibly rehome ours after 6 years of ownership because of the issues. :(

I had a Lurcher years ago and I adored him.

From what I can make out (he came from a Pet Shop, who in turn got him from some Gypsies who went into the shop with a box of puppies and the statement "If you don't take 'em they go in a bucket of water") from his coat and appearance, he was a Deerhound type but I also suspect he had a large proportion of Collie in there too - he was HUGELY clever which is why when we went to puppy classes we went on to do Obedience.

Recall has to be worked on really hard - they CAN tend to go deaf, especially when they're chasing.

He was very touch sensitive - a total wuss. He would leap up screaming if you even looked as if you MIGHT step on his paw or tail

He hated the cold.

He was a total couch potato when he wasn't sprinting - they're actually ideal lazy person's dogs as they only really need a quick sprint twice a day. The rest of the time they're happy asleep. In a nice comfy chair if possible. Or a lap (mine thought he was a lap dog and never cottoned on that he was just too darned big.)

Love Lurchers.

Aw,calamity,that is a lovely post.
So airdales are a bit keen on sheep? Eek is my response,living in Wales! My old wire Fox-terrier was great with sheep,for years and years,and then suddenly aged about 8 he saw a couple of them running and went off! (didn't chase them far thankfully) I had such a shock ,but after that I was rather more careful with him. He was loevly with cats though,cuddled up with them,and he didn't even chase my pet rat!!The WFT I have now would chase anything,and so we are very careful with him around sheep and all livestock. We are near the beach so he has been able to run free there.

I've had three fox terriers, two wired (and boy were they) and one smooth, who was a sweetheart but had a soft spot for squirrels.
Now have lurcher.
When you go from terrier to non-terrier it's a bit like you've discovered a well kept secret 'You mean there are dogs who aren't crazy?'
Everything Calamity said.
My beautiful boy is the gentlest, sweetest, quietest, most loving dog. Runs and chases like mad then sleeps all day.
I love the lurchers.

yes they are mad,fox terriers.tis true.But I do love the madness,thats why I like them really. I grew up with a part beagle cross bred rescue dog,and she was a darling,but I do prefer the bonkers terrier mind.Maybe I've been lucky though,in that both mine have been lovely with other dogs( bar the odd boxer,which both have loathed)and with children. My current one is very relaxed at home too. Muriel is your lurcher ok with cats/children etc?

Er no. Cats are the enemy. Never taught him that. Just some ancient dog thing he acquired through the passing down of dog folklore or something.
Great with kids so long as they aren't eating sandwiches and then he will take it from their hands but NEVER bite!
But he brings joy to so many people. Kids love him and never seem worried that he is bigger than them.
Kids and dogs eh? They just know....

Lurchers are often cat killers i've heard.Mind you I once met an old bloke out walking his fox terrier and he proudly told me he had killed NINE cats.(the dog,not the old bloke)I was .

My Lurcher was fine with cats he knew. He never chased the yard cats (worked at a stables and he used to come to work with me every day) - however he would chase strange cats, and did once bring me a headless rabbit when I was teaching a lesson outside. First I knew about it was the two children I was teaching both going "YEEEEEEUGH!!! YUK!! GROSS!!!" and I turned round and he'd dropped it at my feet, backed away and was clearly Very Proud and waiting to be told how clever he was