Model Airedales (Show Dogs)

Hi all, here are some of the most beautiful Airedale photos snapped by Lesley Mattuchio at the ATCNE dog show in 2006. These photos can be found at her website, http://www.lesleymattuchio.com/atcne100special1.html

Mummy adores the photos taken by this woman, and regards her highly, naturally she strives to groom me to look like these beautiful show dogs. Mum has added some notes to the photos to show which areas are of importance to all Airedale grooming enthusiasts like herself.

Beautifully groomed Airedale, standing alert and curious. A stellar example of how a well groomed Airedale should look like.

A close up head shot shows the finer details of grooming.
The shoulders' coat is slightly longer as compared to the neck, chest or head.
The neck is taken down very close to the skin.
The cheeks are nicely blended in, and there is almost an imaginary vertical line straight down from the outer tip of the eye. This is then slowly blended in toward the front of muzzle, using the outer tip of the lip as a guideline.
To create a straight line from the top of skull to tip of nose, the muzzle could be finger plucked to create the straight lines and neatness which would accentuate the beautiful eyes.
The bottom of the chin needs to be mostly short, except for the 1/3 which is directly beneath the lip. This reduces the puffiness on the sides, and creates a more streamlined face. (My Mum will be taking a photo of my chin when I am done to show this)

It is possible to re-create this look in the clipped Airedale as well, provided that the groomer is knowledgeable to know when to vary the usage of different length blades while grooming different parts. Most well trained groomers would know what length of blade to use on which parts. As a guideline, this is what my Mum uses on Airedales she grooms.

Back of Neck, Saddle, Tail - #4 or #5 (depending on owner's preference of shortness)
Butt - #7 (#10 close to anal for hygiene)
Chest - #5
Head, Face sides - #5
Ear Flap - #7
Everything else is scissored. Recommend carding prior to clipping because this promotes correct color and texture even on a clipped dog.

Airedales sparring in the show ring (A requirement for Terriers in the show ring to show terrier temperament).

A most beautiful side profile of a handsome Airedale. Note how the chest is flat when viewed from the side. It should not be puffy or showing a 'bib'. Strong lean neck muscles and shoulder muscles are accentuated.

When I was a very young puppy, my Mum would clip me, but when I turned around 4 months of age, my Mum started plucking my hair, but it was only after 6 months of age, when I was stripped down to bare. Subsequently, I rotated between being clipped and handstripped, depending on availability of time and circumstances, because Mummy was using me as her practice dog for her Terrier Certification. After that, I have only been handstripped, no more clipping. I suppose I'll return to being clipped again when I am sick or old, but that's a long way.

Love,
Kimi