Joval Angel’s Airedale Terriers
Q: Please tell our readers how you got involved in the world of pedigreed dogs and what attracted you to the Airedale Terrier.
A: We purchased our first purebred Airedale Terrier in 1985. At the time I was living in Russia and with that dog I participated in conformation shows, as well as obedience competition and protection training. His wonderful temperament and trainability, together with the majestic nature of the Airedale Terrier, was what drew me to the breed and quickly established my lifelong love for them. Shortly after we moved to the United states. Years later, in 1999 when I was finishing my veterinary education, I got more serious with showing and breeding. I researched different kennels, invested into a strong foundation bitch, and focused on establishing our own kennel and breeding program.
Q: Where did you get your foundation dogs and what other breeders do you like to collaborate with?
A: Our foundation bitch was Eng. and Am. Ch, Jokyl Flashback. Zeta came from the Jokyl Kennel in England. She was a granddaughter of the two famous dogs of the 1980’s – Ch. Jokyl Gallipants and Ch. Ginger Xmas Carol, who won BIS at Crufts in 1986. Zeta possessed many of the qualities that I was looking for in a foundation. She had a tight line bred pedigree, great conformation, soundness, and sweet temperament. We bred her three different directions and from then on, we focused on developing our line.
Q: Did you have any mentors in the breed/dog world that helped you?
A: Honestly, I cannot attribute my current knowledge to one person, nor could I call any specific person my mentor. I consider myself a truly self-taught person when it comes to dogs. Through lots of research (books, old magazines, yearbooks, studying successful pedigree combinations, etc.), asking questions, visiting kennels, and watching shows all over the world – I have been able to learn from those bits and pieces what appeals to me the most, piece it all together, and from that I have developed my breeding program.
Q: Airedale Terriers are often described as the King Of Terriers what makes the Airedale the king?
A: We would love to read breed characteristics that create this prestigious title.
Airedale standard does not have a “general description” section that specifically outlines the overall presence and balance of the breed. Therefore, in my opinion, besides being the tallest terrier in the terrier group, when an Airedale walks in the ring it is his presence that makes him the King of Terriers, owning the ground he stands on and staring down upon all the smaller terriers. The keenness in their eye, which is full of terrier expression, greatly contributes to the king’s presence and attitude. This attitude can be best exhibited when Airedales spar and pull themselves together. During this battle of wills and display it is truly an awesome sight to see that exemplifies what it is to be king or queen.
Q: How has the Airedale changed since you first started showing/breeding?
A: Within the show ring, throughout decades there has been emphasis on differing styles but for the most part the breed and standard have remained unchanged. Different kennels have focused on different “parts” of the body over the years, creating improvements in conformation. Currently the breed has nice, long rectangular heads with good ear placement. The front construction has remained an issue over the years. Recently, the breed has moved away from being a square, moderate breed to be longer and more angulated in the rear variety.
Q: What are points you wish all judges knew about the Airedale Terrier before judging the breed?
A: For the judge to be able to appreciate the breed and its qualities, they must first have a strong understanding of what the Airedale Terrier was bred for and the job they were intended to perform. It is not the type of terrier that was meant to go in a hole like many smaller terriers and does not have the same front construction. It must have a structure that allows for an effortless movement that will allow them to work and hunt all day long without getting tired. Understanding the anatomy and structure that supports this purpose would provide a judge the basis on which to see beneath the grooming and be able to truly judge the dog. Then, learning the details, nuances and specific characteristics that contribute to the breed type will help judges to find outstanding individuals who possess the most virtues of the breed.
Q: Please mention three Airedale Terriers not bred/owned by you that you have greatly admired.
A: My three favorite Airedales not bred by me are Ch. Evermay’s High Performance, Ch. Sterling Cool Hand Luke, and Ch. Greenfield Celtic Legend. Besides being very attractive dogs conformation wise, these dogs also had an important contribution and big impact on my breeding program, which I am very thankful to them for.
Q: Please mention three influential dogs from your kennel over the years.
A: We have been so blessed with so many outstanding dogs that it is difficult to single out just three. GCHG Joval Sweet Time is my most special dog, she is also my heart dog. Splenda was Reserve Best in Show at Montgomery, Top Airedale, and Top five Terrier in the nation for two consecutive years in 2014 and 2015. Besides outstanding conformation, her temperament makes her one of the best representatives of what the breed should be like. People that met her, understand what I mean by this.
GCHS Joval Angel’s Glory, WW, is the dog I won the most with myself, owner handled. In very limited showing she was top female Airedale in 2018, and together we won the Airedale Terrier National at Montgomery. We also won BOB and Terrier Group 1 at the World Dog Show in Amsterdam.
Some of my other favorites and very successful dogs were GCH Joval Angel’s Kiss, who was our first World Winner when the WDS was in Sweden in 2008. Her daughter GCHG Joval Angel’s Whisper was the number one Airedale in the USA in 2013, and GCHB Joval It’s My Time, who among many notable wins, was also reserve BISOH at Montgomery.
Q: What is your favorite show in the world to attend?
A: Montgomery weekend is Mecca for the terrier people. It has the largest entry of the best terriers from all over the USA, some of the best international dogs, and is also the site for the Airedale National Championship. The level of competition at these shows and being able to spend time with our terrier friends from all over the world makes them very enjoyable to attend and a win at any of the shows during this weekend carries a special prestige. So, this must be my absolute favorite.
There are several other shows that carry the unique atmosphere that I look forward to attending (not always necessarily showing) such as Westminster, Eukanuba, Crufts and the World Dog Show.
Q: Please share some of your proudest memories from the show ring.
A: Over the past two decades our dogs have done very well in the show ring and there have been honestly too many proud moments to count. Having the top dog in the nation for four-to-five years straight has been a roller coaster ride of a lifetime. But with that being said, as a breeder, every time I stand outside the ring watching a dog that we have bred look beautiful and win, I get a feeling of satisfaction that reinforces how the hard work has paid off. We are very proud of our strong female line winning the Airedale Terrier National and the Bowl five times with three different bitches and being BOS on three other occasions. My proudest moments have come when I have been able to handle my dogs as a breeder/owner/handler. As mentioned before, winning the Airedale Terrier National at Montgomery, res. BISOH at Montgomery, BOB at Crufts and the World Dog shows, and most notably winning the Terrier Group at the World Dog show in Amsterdam were a dream come true. It is something you think about, hope for, but even after it happens sometimes it does not seem real.
Q: Given their large size and stature, the conditioning and presentation of the Airedale Terrier is no easy task. Please talk us through some of the work involved with presenting the Airedale Terrier.
A: Preparing an Airedale for the show ring is not an easy task and is a labor of love. It takes a minimum of 12 weeks to stage the jacket to get it into proper condition. And it takes four-to-five months to achieve good volume and quality of furnishings. Nowadays, I believe it is a lost art and it is very hard to find people experienced in correct Airedale preparation among both breeders and handlers. But it is a majestic sight to see the final product when an Airedale is properly presented by the few remaining terrier experts. Unfortunately, the newer generation is not very interested in learning the proper ways and looking for the shortcuts where they can find them.
Q: From your experience, where in the world do you believe Airedale Terriers seem strongest, in terms of quality?
A: In my opinion, American Airedales remain among if not the best in the world. There have been a few Russian dogs who have caught my eye during my international judging assignments.
Q: What are your goals/dreams for the future of your Airedale Terrier journey?
A: Our Airedale journey has brought us consistent successes over the past two decades. We have won all the most prestigious shows in the USA and around the world. For this we will always look back with great pride and will have wonderful memories of the consistency that we were able to achieve over a long period of time. But with an increased pressure of work and life in general, and slightly changing interests we have decided to work on sizing down our breeding program and gradually retire, while we are on top. Also, over the past decade, I have become more involved and really enjoy judging at the dog shows and I am looking forward to focusing more on that aspect of the sport.
