Posted by Jeanne on December 11, 2008
Perhaps the finest terrier with black-and-tan coloring is the Doberman Pinscher, a sort of glorified Manchester terrier, which has been developed in Germany within the last 60 years. He is about the height and weight of an Airedale, but perhaps by reason of his smooth coat and the fact that his tail is docked very short, he appears taller and slimmer than the British dog. He has a splendid carriage and an air of dignity and distinction. He is unusually intelligent, and to this fact may be attributed his phenomenal success as a police dog. His delightful personality is rapidly bringing him into favor with Americans looking for a dog of good size that doesn’t get in one’s way.
This big German derivative of the black-and- tan, or Manchester terrier, might best be described as a large, strong bull terrier, with the strict black-and-tan coat, although one sometimes sees him in solid black, brown, or mole- color “blue.” White should never be present in a good Doberman, nor other parti-color than black or tan.
Like most of the dogs popular with the Germans, this is best handled with a firm and uncompromising domination. He is a willing and effective fighter, and, true to his terrier blood, is a relentless enemy to all ground vermin, such as marmots, hares, and badgers.
Decidedly a “one-man” dog, he does not readily make friends nor welcome advances of a friendly nature. He is faithful and loyal to “the hand that feeds him,” however, and is justly popular with those who own him. He is certainly one of the handsomest of the smooth dogs, being glossy of coat, trim, and straight, and strong of leg and body, and bright and keen of eye, lacking entirely the rather piggy look of the bull terrier with which he has been compared. He is rather larger than the bull terrier, however.
Posted by Jeanne on November 17, 2008
Airedale Terriers are keen and active, possessing great vitality, strength, pluck, and endurance. Thus, they are all-round dogs that can be trained or allowed to rely upon their strong initiative. Their uses are manifold; they make excellent guards, they proved one of the most reliable of the breeds used in WW1, they have been used in hunting bears in the West and lions in Africa; and they are enduring, affectionate companions.
- Head – Long, with flat skull, not too broad between the ears and narrowing slightly to the eyes, free from wrinkle. Stop hardly visible, and cheeks free from fullness. Jaw deep and powerful, well filled up before the eyes, lips tight. Ears V-shaped with a side carriage, small but not out of proportion to the size of the dog. The nose black. The eyes small and dark in color, not prominent, but full of Terrier expression. The teeth strong and level.
- Neck – Should be of moderate length and thickness, gradually widening toward the shoulders and free from throatiness.
- Shoulders and Chest – Shoulders long and sloping well into the back, shoulder-blades flat. Chest deep, but not broad.
- Body – Back short, strong, and straight. Ribs well sprung.
- Hindquarters – Strong and muscular, with no droop. Hocks well let down. The tail set on high and carried gaily, but not curled over the back.
- Legs and Feet – Legs perfectly straight, with plenty of bone. Feet small and round, with a good depth of pad.
- Coat – Hard and wiry, and not so long as to appear ragged; it should also lie straight and close, covering the dog well all over the body and legs.
- Color – The head and ears, with the exception of dark markings on each side of skull, should be tan, the ears being of a darker shade than the rest, the legs up to the thighs and elbows being also tan, the body black or dark grizzle.
- Size – Dogs, 40 to 45 pounds weight. Bitches slightly less.