As someone born into this breed, I have loved and cherished Airedale Terriers for over 40 years. Over this time, particularly in the Nordic countries, I’ve observed a decline in the breed’s popularity and a worrying decrease in the population. People often tell me, “My grandfather used to have one,” or “We used to walk our neighbour’s Airedale when we were kids.” While I don’t seek mass popularity for the breed, the fading presence of new generations of owners and breeders presents a genuine concern. Increasing Airedale ownership and breeding would greatly benefit the breed’s future. How come, you might ask? Continue reading, and you will understand.

The Genetic Landscape of Airedales

This text aims to draw attention to the current state of the breed’s genetic health, including those from the working lines (German leistungszucht) that I have embraced for the past 20 years. Recent studies – including results from my own dogs, international data from Embark Breeder DNA tests and research by Dreger et al. (2016) and Bannasch et al. (2021) – reveal that the genetic inbreeding coefficient (gCOI) for the Airedale Terrier is alarmingly high, ranging between 30-40%, perhaps even higher. To put this in perspective, according to Bannasch et al., Airedales rank 11th in inbreeding among 227 breeds studied. This high level of inbreeding presents severe risks to the genetic health of our dogs

Why Is This Concerning?

Historically, our breed, like many others, has undergone intense inbreeding to focus on specific traits. The term “line breeding” may sound less harsh, but it is essentially the same practice as inbreeding, carrying similar genetic risks. This has reduced the breed’s genetic diversity, increasing the chances of inherited health problems. While Airedales are still relatively healthy in general, the high gCOI suggests we risk facing more significant health issues in the future – if not already today. Some inheritable diseases have emerged, including LAMP3 (Lethal Lung Disease), PLN (Protein-Losing Nephropathy), and Factor VII deficiency. If we continue on this path, it is not a matter of if we will see more health issues but when.

The Problem with Pedigree-Based COI

Understanding the limitations of pedigree-based COI (pCOI) measurements is crucial. For example, a 5-generation pedigree COI might show 0%, while the genetic COI could exceed 30-40%. This stark contrast exposes the weakness of pedigree-based measurements, which only account for known ancestors over a limited number of generations, often masking deeper inbreeding levels. In contrast, genetic COI provides a far more accurate and complete picture by analysing the dog’s DNA. To provide some context, breeding between full siblings results in a COI of around 25%, so a gCOI above 30% is highly concerning, as it is equivalent to repeated incestuous breeding over several generations.

One significant issue with pedigree COI is its ability to mislead. For instance, two highly inbred parents with a 25% pedigree COI could produce offspring with a 0% COI if their ancestors differ within the chosen generational window. However, this doesn’t eliminate the risks, as the recessive genes carried by the parents may still be passed down

Inbreeding’s Long-Term Consequences

Inbreeding’s impact is not always immediate but accumulates over generations, with the risk of eventually leading to inbreeding depression. This can cause reduced fertility, shorter lifespans, and an increase in genetic disorders. I believe that addressing this issue now is essential to protecting the future health of Airedale Terriers as a breed. Our breed has thrived for nearly two centuries, but with current levels of inbreeding, its future is in jeopardy, and the breed might not last for a century more, in the worst case, not even some decades.

The Road Ahead: Responsible Breeding and Genetic Management

The Embark Breeder DNA test measures genetic COI, a powerful tool for making informed breeding decisions. By selecting breeding combinations with lower gCOI and avoiding highly inbred individuals, we can preserve the overall genetic diversity still left in the Airedale breed and possibly reduce the risks associated with inbreeding.

We must also broaden our breeding strategies. Relying too heavily on popular lines or high-performing sires, whether for show or working purposes, can lead to a bottleneck effect. While these individuals are valued for their achievements, incorporating a wider variety of dogs with healthy genetic profiles is vital to the breed’s long-term health. Including AS MANY healthy and mentally sound dogs in breeding programs as possible will create a more robust gene pool.

The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) recommends breeding from the top 50% of any litter to maintain a sustainable population. Unfortunately, we are far from this goal, and acting now is critical.

The Ethical and Legal Responsibilities

A recent Supreme Court ruling in Norway, which banned the breeding of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels due to excessive genetic health risks, serves as a stark warning. If we ignore the genetic health of our dogs, we risk crossing legal and ethical lines. Breeding animals that are likely to suffer from genetic diseases is unacceptable.

Looking to the future

The future of the Airedale Terrier depends on us acting now. Expanding our genetic diversity through responsible cross-breeding could – or more likely WILL – become necessary to ensure the breed’s survival. While controversial to some, introducing healthy genes from other breeds and breeding back to the Airedale standard over generations will help maintain the breed’s core traits while improving its genetic health. If we fail to act, the genetic diversity of Airedales will become too limited, making it increasingly difficult to sustain a healthy population.

Moving Forward Together

I understand that this text – especially the part about cross-breeding – may lead some to question my commitment to preservational breeding. However, my goal is to ensure that future generations can enjoy our breed as a healthy, well-rounded companion. I encourage all breeders to test their dogs with the Embark Breeders DNA test (https://shop.embarkvet.com/products/embark-for-breeders-dog-dna-test-kit). Gathering comprehensive data on the global genetic COI across all Airedale lines will be invaluable in guiding our breeding decisions and developing strategies to preserve the health and vitality of our breed.

Ensuring our breed’s long-term health and wellness means placing genetic diversity and sustainability above short-term gains. We need to make informed decisions that prioritise health over appearance or performance. The stakes are too high to gamble on genetic shortcuts. By embracing modern genetic science, we can secure the future of the Airedale Terrier.

I urge everyone passionate about the health and sustainability of dog breeds to join the Facebook group” Rhodesian Ridgeback Health and Long-term Sustainable Breeding”. The author of this text is an active member of this group, and we warmly welcome owners of other breeds to join. We have shared scientifically validated information that could guide breeding practices and have had several good discussions. This is the place to join for those willing to acknowledge that the world is evolving or those still unconvinced but want to learn more. https://www.facebook.com/groups/rhodesianridgebacksustainablebreeding/

In addition, I would recommend joining the group “Inmönstring och inkorsning för bevarandet av raser/rastyper (Outcrossing and crossbreeding for the preservation of breeds/breed types)” aimed at breeders and breed clubs dedicated to increasing genetic diversity through methods like opening studbooks, cross-breeding projects, and other strategies to preserve their breed or breed type. There are many engaging posts and discussions, and I’m confident that anyone who joins will discover something new and valuable through participating and learning. https://www.facebook.com/groups/221130406747936/

Please share your thoughts and join the conversation. Feel free to share this post in order to reach more individuals. Together, we can ensure that our beloved breed thrives for generations to come.

Lastly, loss of genetic diversity affects a number of other working/hunting breeds, including, but not limited to, German Shepherds, White Swiss Shepherd Dogs, Boxers, Dobermans, Labradors, Rottweilers, Kelpies, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, and so on. I urge breeders of any purebred dog to read up on the genetic situation within their breed and learn about population-based genetics and responsible breeding practices.

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Note: This text was initiated and written by the author, with AI tools used to enhance language and readability. The featured photo is AI created. 
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References

Published on my Facebook profile, September 11, 2024 (link)
Published on the Facebook group European Airedale breeders, September 11, 2024 (link)