Full Cry Column
April 2003

Kevin G. Kelly (Pacific Coast Working Airedale Terrier Association correspondent)

Hello! Here I am at the RDR Ranch on the edge of Big Basin State Park, in the Santa Cruz Mountains, in the Pacific Coastal Range above the Monterey Bay. The sky is overcast after a few days of heavy rain. The forecast for today claims some sunshine breaking through and I am optimistic. We have had seesawing weather all winter. There have been days in January and February that could have been July. And we have had a few good rainstorms. We had a little thunder the other day and I like that a lot, having grown up in Ohio, the thunder reminds me of the excitement of thunder and lightening storms in the mid-west when I was a child. The dogs hole up in their houses during the downpours unless I am out there with them too and they don't seem to mind the noise having grown up around a lot of commotion and loud noises. I have six, two week old pups in the whelping box in the corner of the woodshop now and my son Ry and I spent a good part of yesterday banging around down there building redwood knee braces for a gabled roof we are putting over a set of French doors. Between the saws, the sander and of course the radio, the pups grow up knowing that noise is not going to hurt them. All this rain, mixed with days of warm sunshine has brought the signs of spring charging ahead. The fruit trees in the backyard are blossoming, the Wisteria is popping buds and the Narcissus have bloomed on the hillside. I have not been in the woods much lately and they are calling.

I did have a chance to hunt with the small terriers back in Tennessee, and that sport is a real kick! I can sure see how it could become a habit. When those little dogs disappear into a sett you know they are after something but you don't know what it is or if you will see those brave warriors again. And it is the moment of truth if they get on something. When we knew they had something we would get to it as quickly as possible. I was hunting with Henry Johnson and the two dogs he brought that day Haunter (M.I.) and Red Ann. Haunter is a seasoned veteran and "as tough as they come". I am glad there are no lions in those dens because Haunter would not be dissuaded from his course of action; attack and conquer! Red Ann is a young Fell Terrier that Henry brought back from the UK last year. He will take her on every hunt until she is brought up to speed then she will take her place in the rotation, so all the dogs get their turn in the woods. David Short, Henry's hunting partner, was there with Arrow and Laverne. Arrow is David's star at this point and she's a good one. She uses her nose well and is courageous. Laverne is working her way up the ladder.
The first find was in a thorn-laden thicket. We used saws and pruning shears just to get to the dirt, then tracking meters, earth prod, shovels, saws and more shovels. We got all the dogs tied back except Arrow, who was face to face with the opossum, who was the adversary in this den. Once we dug to the quarry we pulled arrow and gave the younger dogs taste of the action. Red Ann went right in and wooled the possum and Laverne was very interested as well. David pulled the game out of the hole, Henry took a couple pictures and David put the possum up a tree to live another day. Might just find him again on a future hunt. The goal is to watch the dogs work, allowing them to do what they love and to take ourselves out into the field and woods doing what we love.

KEVIN KELLY, DAVID SHORT AND ARROW

Henry and I sent Clint the picture with the possum, under the heading of "Middle Tennessee Big Game" and here's his response; "Howdy Kevin, Looks like you had fun at Henry's. I didn't know rats grew so large :^) "
There in the Cove Henry has a young female pup, Kolinda, only about three weeks when I was there. She is Haunter/Heather and she's going to be a good one. I think she will have a lot of Haunter in her personality. She was just starting to venture out of the den when I was there and our motto became, 'Don't step on the pup!'. I talked to Henry a couple of days ago and Kolinda is scooting all over his house now. She will come to his bedside at night and find comfort and peace in the sound of his breathing and maybe a hand draped over the side of the bed. The pack is together, all is right in the world, she can sleep peacefully.

Clint and I heard from Jim Price from up Michigan way;
"Gentleman, I hope this note finds you both doing well. I just received my Full Cry and have already finished your column. We also are not having much snow but the weather has been bitterly cold. I have been cutting wood almost every weekend to keep the house warm. Doesn't leave much time to hunt but I take Belle with me just to get her out of the house. She located a possum on one of these trips and I had to walk back up to the house to get the pick as the ground here is frozen about 18 inches down. It was hard going but after about 30 minutes she had him out and was taking care of business. My wife thinks I am crazy but when Belle looks at me with those eyes I just can't say no."
I understand, Jim. These Airedales are intelligent and lovable. I told Laurie, not too long ago that if these dogs had opposable thumbs, I would not be in charge.
Jim went on to say, " I am looking to contact Billy Harkins for a possible hog hunt. Do you know if he has an email address? If not I will call him to see if he would take me on a hunt. I really want to see other peoples Airedales in action. Thanks in advance. Jim"
Thanks for the note Jim. I was wondering just a week or so ago how you were doing back there with Belle and Killian.
I emailed Billy with Jim's email attached and was not surprised by his response. "Fellows I will go hog hunting at the drop of a hat, and drop (MY OWN HAT !!! ) Just let me know when."

While I was down South I had a great visit with Billy Harkins and his mother Grapelle Harkins. They are the definition of hospitable. (Disposed to treat guests with warmth and generosity.) If I lived with Mrs. Harkins I would weigh 300 pounds! While I was there Billy and I had a chance to get out into the woods to do a little hog hunting. The terrain there is the same as here, sloped, round topped mountains. The vegetation is completely different but the walking is the same. We were out for a few hours and it was great to watch Steel and Sally Bell glide over those hills looking for scent. We kept Slim on lead and Lucy stayed pretty close until she caught wind of something.
At one point we realized Steel and Sally Bell had been gone for quite awhile so we worked our way to the top of a ridge and put the tracker on them. We got a signal from down the slope and headed off into that direction. It was quite a little while until we reach the area we thought the signal had come from. When Billy called they showed up pretty excited but with no stories to tell of what they had found.
Billy checked them over pretty good to see if there were any cut marks or any other signs of battle. Nothing was apparent, except their excitement about having found something. It was a good tour of the landscape, and when we were back in the truck I told Billy that I hog hunt the same way he does. Take the dogs into the woods, walk around for a few hours and put the dogs back in the truck.
It was good to get a sense of Billy's strategy. He uses Steel as his main strike dog. Sally Bell is the trainee and is turned out with Steel. He keeps Slim on lead as a catch dog. Too many dogs loose from the get go, gets dogs injured or killed.
One of the most enjoyable experiences while I was back in the Owltown area, was the day we took a walk into Bowers Cove. The land used to belong to Bill Bowers, Billy's great-grandfather, until it was purchased by the government and added to the National Forrest. Billy showed me the old homestead, there were remnants of the chimney and of course the spring, where the family kept the cold box, was still effortlessly flowing along, as it had when the decision was made to build there.
Mrs. Harkins told us that Billy's Grandfather, Great Uncles and other folks used to keep hogs in those woods by marking them for ownership and then turning them out. The folks would go out two or three times a week and call in the hogs to feed them and keep them a little bit domesticated. They also would hunt the wild hogs. We were very excited to find wild hog sign very close to the old cabin sight. Billy looked like a little kid in a candy store, all those genes coursing through his body telling him he was born honestly to his way of life. "Fellows I will go hog hunting at the drop of a hat, and drop (MY OWN HAT!!!) Just let me know when."

BILLY HARKINS AND FRIENDS "HOGGIN"

Thanks to both Billy and Mrs. Harkins for their generosity of both time and energy. I saw some of Billy's woodworking and some photographs of Mrs. Harkins quilts, they are both artisans in the most genuine sense of the word. You're both welcome by our fire any time.

My trip back east started at Katy and Phil's home in Lilburn, Georgia. Katy is my sister, Phil my brother in law. We had some adventures seeking out music stores and pawnshops looking for an Old Yamaha FG180 guitar. We had a lot of fun but we were not successful in the search. The search continued on when I got to Henry's but that's another story.
Spending time with Katy and Phil is always energizing, like getting a tune-up or battery charge. Phil told Katy, the last time I was there, that he thinks I'm going to make a great Old Man. I can wait but I think the fun parts are going to be very liberating, and I have to agree.

Matt Thom heard from Martin Reinartz, the German fellow who bought one of Matt's smooth coated Airedale pups. He wrote "The Airedale-people have been interested but I think they mistrust the "slick-coated-Airedale-story". Definitely they thought Annie must be a cross! LOL! I told them what I know about "redlines" and that they are pure as an Airedale can be. They told me that it is not easy for me to get breed permission but it is possible if the dog will be a good one. Most couldn't believe that Airedales hunt Big Game like bears. Also they thought that Americans are mostly importing from Germany and not Germans from America.
Pure or not - official breed permission or not - I feel that this is the dog I searched for and I was looking for - like Henry said: "Whatever they are and wherever they came from I can tell you they are damn good dogs." Martin.

That same skepticism will occur, with these hard, smooth coated Airedales, all over the world. But I am convinced that they are Airedales through and through and should be evaluated on their intelligence, temperament and working ability and not on their appearance. Which in many cases is an asset. Martin also wrote Henry Johnson about Annie. Here is that letter and Henry's response.

"Henry: Here just a few new pictures from Annie and Maggie. They are both doing fine and having a lot of fun. I am searching for other "slick coated" Airedales here in Germany or in Europe. Maybe I have luck to find a "forgotten line" in the eastern states. It is interesting that there seems to be not much inbreeding in the Redlines. Also very interesting to me is their behavior compared to Malinois or DJTs. Annie seemed to have much more "natural instincts". Annie is very intelligent and learns very fast but she has also her own head! She is very different to the dogs I have had before. I like her very much and have to thank Matt for this fine young dog. Martin"

Henry's response was, " Martin: Thanks for the pics of Annie. She is a good looking redline type Airedale. I will be surprised if you find others of this type in Germany. This type of Airedale, would probably have been suppressed by German Airedale authorities, as they have been by the show people here in the States. It is what the Airedale was in the beginning, however, and may have good traits that were bred out of them by the show breeders. Anyway, we don't care what the show breeders and authorities think. We breed these Airedales the way we think they should be.
Treat Annie gently but firmly. Use fun and games in training her, not punishment. These are very intellectual dogs, very sensitive, and they do not react well to force type training. Treat them the way you would a child. Swear at them, maybe, but don't beat them and don't use electricity on them. We are impressed that you are willing to try a type of dog that will not be accepted by German Airedale authorities. We all wish you and Annie the best of luck. Keep in touch and send pictures and stories about her when you can. Thank you very much for giving her a try." Henry, Fults Cove, Tennessee

In another email to Martin, Henry addressed the question of dog and people aggression bred in and encouraged. This is something I believe should be avoided at all cost and so it bears repeating often. Here are Henry's words on the subject; "Martin: The main reason I never wanted any German Airedale blood in my line of Airedales was because over the years German selective breeding for dogs that are quick to defend their master has made for more aggressive temperaments. We breed Airedales as all around family, farm, ranch, hunting, working, companion dogs and do not want them at all dog aggressive or people aggressive. Any of them will be a good watchdog and growl or bark to call attention to a threat from an animal or human but that is as far as I want them to go. Hunting dogs should save all their aggression for the quarry and not have any aggression towards their fellow hunting dogs. And I don't want any dog around me that is aggressive towards people. They are too much of a liability. So I am opposed to the German way of breeding Airedales and hope Annie is not expected or asked to be aggressive toward people. Henry Fults Cove Tennessee"

It is my feeling that Airedales will defend their pack members, both canine and human, in any 'real' threatening situation. In Schutzhund training, which I know very little about, the situation is never real, it is only simulated. The Airedale operates from instincts and intelligence and is only confused by the false training. Then that confusion is bred into the line. For me it's another case of human rationalization, arrogantly thinking it's superior to instincts.
I heard from Martin Reinhartz directly today, with some information about their hog hunting terrain and about his Annie from Matt Thom. Martin wrote;

"Kevin: A short update from Germany. The redline pup from Matt Thom (we call her Annie) is doing very well. I am very pleased to have her here in Germany with me. Even if I am sure that it is a heavy loss for you guys over there. LOL! Thanks to Matt and Henry once again!
Annie is different than the dogs I have had or I have known before. Not just like every dog is different than another, she is really different! It is hard to describe but what would fit best is "natural abilities + instincts". She has a lot of drive. But she is not the "prey blind" that I have seen in other breeds (Jagds for example). Also she is much faster and much more agile than the German Shepherds of the same age. It is impressive to watch her running and jumping in the garden when she is playing with Maggie. You will see some pictures from today. I walked with the dogs where the boars stay and where they had done a lot of damage. Maybe you can imagine in what conditions we have to hunt "our boars" mostly. They live in the thick thorn bushes where it is nearly not possible to go as a human. And if you do, it is not fun. Here a big dog, a big Dale would be totally misplaced. The Jagds are nearly the best for this area but they have some problems: 1.) They will go to ground. As you see in one picture we have badgers here and the European Badger is bigger than the American species. That would not be a problem if we could dig. That is absolutely impossible because we have volcanic stone in the whole area. The other problem is that some Jagd lines are hunting very far and we need dogs, which have a strong bound and keep contact.
I am searching for other hunting lines of the Airedale here but we don't have them. From time to time there are Airedales from the working / protection lines which are used for hunting successfully. I found out that searching / tracking was always a sport, which was done with the Airedale here. And they have always been very good in this job even if compared to other breeds. So no wonder we have two Dales, which are in active use at the police as drug dogs. Both dogs have been worked in protection also. Maybe the selection for SchH and Tracking (FH) saved enough working qualities (prey drive, retrieving, searching) for use as an average hunting dog. But I am sure it could be a problem on Big Game because a "protection-jute-arm", won't bite back like a nasty cat...
Don't know if the German Dale had enough time to learn?
So far best regards from Germany and I will keep you informed about this example of a very well working "American-German-friendship". Martin Reinartz"

MARTIN REINARTZ' ANNIE AND MAGGIE

Thanks Martin for the update. The pictures were interesting and I always enjoy seeing the terrain other hunters are working in. I will include a picture from Martin of Annie and Maggie, on a couch. The pictures he sent today were of the same two dogs out in the field but I'm afraid they wouldn't reproduce well in black and white.
Matt sent a pup to Germany, Billy sent some to Japan, Clint's got them in Canada, I'm sending one to Alaska and there may be one in Venezuela. These working Airedales are growing in their influence around the world. If you have any pups in other countries, let me know or send Clint a note. I think the more the word goes out on these Airedales the better it is for the breed.

Dennis and Shelley Hescock live up in Vermont, and Dennis bred his Georgia (Hammer/Lucy) to Rhino (Slim/Brisk). Pups are due around the 11th of March, 2003. I think these will be excellent pups and hope that the fellow from Vermont who emailed Clint and I about Airedales in the Northeast, is able to read this. Dennis' number is 802- 896- 6481. Or you can call or email or call me for information. 831- 247- 6890

After a few days visit with Billy, Henry drove down on a Tuesday to give me a ride back to Fults Cove for a visit there. It was arranged ahead of time that Lawrence Wertan, the author of "The Lost Champion" and Jim Harvey would meet us there and talk dogs and visit for a couple hours. Jim and Larry would have a chance to take a look at Billy's Airedales, a few adults and a new litter of pups. Mrs. Harkins once again rose above and beyond the call of duty and prepared a feast for everyone complete with fresh baked corn pone, chicken and beef and pineapple upside down cake for dessert. You may have noticed fresh baked goods are always a winner with me. You're a gem Grapelle and everyone appreciated all your effort.
I had met Jim Harvey, out here in California, a couple years ago at a hunting workshop at Jim Dobbs place outside of Marysville. It was good to visit with him in a more casual atmosphere. He is very curious about the working Airedale and has a growing interest in the Border Terrier.
Larry Wertan is a character and I enjoyed hearing about his new book written about Paddy the Airedale. I look forward to reading it. Larry has written a couple stories about Airedales, "The Lost Champion" is my favorite. If anyone is interested you can reach Larry at boxerbooks , wertan@alltel.net or contact me for a phone number.

After the gathering at Billy's had come to a good stopping point, Henry and I headed Northwest, along the Ocoee River trail over the Cumberland Plateau and into Fults Cove. The Cove is on the High Rim Plateau surrounded by the Cumberland Ridge. I couldn't give you the exact directions of the path we followed but I can tell you the Celtic and Civil War songs we sang along the way! We had some things we had talked about ahead of time that we were going to try to do. But we were both into taking it nice and easy. We didn't of course but we had a blast. We picked up the quest for the FG 180 and went out "projeckin around" almost every day that I was there.
One of the first days I was there I pulled out Henry's banjo and at the time had no idea how to tune it in banjo tuning so I tuned it like the last four strings of a guitar. The fifth string I tuned in a G. We played around with that tuning for awhile and I played Muhlenburg County on the banjo while Henry played the mouth harp.
The next day we headed into Morrison and into the barber shop where Henry ask Bob, the barber, if I could borrow his guitar. I guess we had just missed a few of the local boys who show up from time to time to play some music. Well Henry and I played our partially rehearsed version of Muhlenburg Co. and one other spontaneous song and headed out to pick up the quest. As we were getting back in the truck, Henry said; " I don't know what it sounded like but I saw a couple of them ol' boys tappin' their feet!"
Projeckin around with Henry for a week did more for getting me over my shyness about playing the guitar in front of other people than anything ever has. I was reminded of what it is like in Ireland, especially in the pubs. Every one in the pubs has a song to sing and they go around the room asking you to "give us a song". You give what you have and no one is judging, everyone just joins in.
We went to David and Brenda Noe's home and heard David, Allie and Ezra play some beautiful songs. They are all very talented and play more than one instrument. Allie plays fiddle, penny whistle and has a beautiful voice. David and Ezra play the guitar and Ezra plays the penny whistle and can work out a tune on the piano. KC was there and plays as well but he declined that evening. One of the songs they played was " The Fields of Athenry" I just today started learning it from a cd I ordered when I got back to California. It's a beautiful Irish story and song.

To get this column back on track I would like to mention that David Noe is the fellow who owned Slim (KaBar/Sugar) when I took Brisk back to be bred in 1999. He gave Slim to Billy Harkins and just recently took a female down to Billy's and bred her to Slim. The pups where there at David's when we were. And there were some dandies trotting around on his porch. He hadn't decided which one he was going to keep so none were available at the time. This was the second litter of pups I walked away from, the first was at Billy's, without one in my pocket. My will power was astounding me! If you would like to get in touch with David about the pups, here is his contact information; airedales@hotmail.com , 931-723-2473
David's wife Brenda had fixed a stew and some good cherry dessert so we ate well and shared some good company. Thanks to all the Noe's for your gracious hospitality. It was good to get to know you all a little better and you're always welcome here.

On the Sunday of the visit we headed south, southwest to Rocky Hollow and the home of Eddie and Nancy Boatwright and their Rocky Hollow Kennels. I had seen pictures of their dogs before and it was really good to see them in person and finally meet Eddie and Nancy. They have some new adolescent Airedales, one they called Mopsy and the other is Lucy. Mopsy is from their Chief/Katie breeding and is well built and quick. Lucy is from Mac/Lil owned by Wayne Waggoner up in Pennsylvania. Lucy is very fast in a straight run and moved very gracefully without a lot of apparent effort. Wayne has some new pups that would be younger brother and sister to Lucy right now. Clint talked about them in last months column. If you have questions about them contact either Clint or myself. Or get in touch with Wayne directly; topdog@superpa.net , 717 677 8010
Mopsy will have some younger brother and sisters real soon as well, Katie is full with Chief pups as I write this column. This combination already threw a couple dogs at the Boatwrights named Bucky and Slick. They are both very good dogs. Bucky is on the roster to breed to Lucy. That cross will make some real Airedales, with agility, grace and grit. I liked Slick because he showed a lot of intelligence and could move well. I heard he has always been cautious but I think that is what accompanies these intelligent Airedales and in a dangerous situation will keep them alive longer. Don't get me wrong; if an Airedale, after maturity, say three years, is still scared of his shadow, he should not be bred. But it is my observation that at maturity there is no lacking of grit in most of these cautious dogs.
I think Eddie and Nancy are just used to Chief and Bucky who are full speed ahead all the time. Slick seems somewhat sedate by comparison.
Those dogs at the Rocky Hollow are living in paradise and couldn't be treated any better. Eddie and Nancy are expecting a litter very soon, I believe the 6th of March. These pups will be of fine stock and an asset to any one's dog-yard. There contact number is 931- 722- 6326 or email; chief@netease.net or you can contact me for further information.
Just as a side, I was remembering that Eddie plays the piano. I guess Airedale folks are as versatile as their dogs! Thanks for welcoming me to your home and for the good lunch. Come on out anytime.

The night before Henry took me to the airport we went to David Masons, up near Murfreesboro and in his barn on Tuesday nights he has a gathering of musicians. We walked into thirteen folks playing banjos, guitars, mandolins, upright basses, fiddles, dobro and mouth harp. It was the " give us a song" fest all over again. There was one older man there playing fiddle about as well as I have heard and right next to him was his young grandson playing right along. The music was passed around freely and as Henry said when we were leaving; " I don't know how good it is but it is genuine." It was genuine and good!

HENRY JOHNSON'S COBY AFTER A COON

We spent some time at Henry's place in the Cove and messed with the dogs in the yard. They are the most personable dogs you will find anywhere. They are family and are treated that way. Old Jack was there and I watched him glide around the yard like a Rocking horse, running on air. He is fast and graceful. He is intelligent and biddable.
John Byce called from Georgia and is hoping to breed his Casey (Rocky/Cece) to Old Jack. I want to see the dogs we will get from that cross! I am breeding back to the Grit/Maggie cross whenever I can. I think that was a magic combination. Not all the dogs from those litters reached the top of the ladder but a good many of them did.
Sam and Linda Young take care of all of Henry's veterinarian needs. Kolinda is named after Linda Young. I met Sam one day when we had an opportunity to go visit him at a sound studio he has put together with a friend. This is not an amateur project and the two of them seem to be doing a heck of a good job. Sam is no stranger to music and can play a variety of instruments. While we were there he was filling in some background tracks for a CD. He plays from the heart and sounds very good.

Thanks Henry for all the 'gypsying' around and I sure enjoyed sharing the week with you. Next time out we'll find that Yamaha FG180. This month sort of sounds like a music column as well as an Airedale or dog column but it's just a sign of how often things overlap.
Well, it's time to send this one in so here's the quote; "There are no degrees of Honorable. You are or you aren't." Sam Rayburn
Remember, as, Henry S. Johnson Jr. says: " Let us hear from you Airedale people. And don't forget to put your arms around those furry black and tan dogs with the beards and the moustaches and talk to them. They are people dogs and family members."
Respectfully submitted, Kevin G. Kelly, Pacific Coast Corresponding Secretary for the Working Airedale Terrier Association. No rules, regulations, officers, dues or formal affiliations, its more a state of mind.