Labradors might still be top dog in the UK according to the Kennel Club but it’s Airedale terriers that have a special place in the district’s heart.

Now found all over the world from Russia to Canada, the breed has travelled far since it was first born and bred in the Bingley area 150 years ago.

Once a year David Ball, of Eccleshill, Bradford, makes it his mission to bring as many of the Airedale Terriers back into Airedale as possible – to go walkies.

And they come from all over said Mr Ball who, along with his wife Val, are committee members of the Yorkshire and Eastern Counties Airedale Terrier Club.

He said: “We’ve organised four walks so far. Last year we had 60 terriers taking part, if we could get as many as 100 one time I’d be so proud I’d march them through the centre of Bingley.”

The walks every September leave Bingley to head along the Leeds-Liverpool Canal down to Saltaire and back.

Airedale Terriers were created by otter hunters in Airedale and Wharfedale about 150 years ago.

They wanted their dogs to also be able to track down smaller vermin and double up as guard dogs.

They crossbred a black and tan terrier breed, now extinct, with their otterhounds and the new dog, known as Bingley Terriers for a while, was eventually recognised in 1886.

In the First World War Airedale terriers were put to work delivering mail and carrying messages to troops behind enemy lines.

Since then they have frequently been worked as police dogs because of their tracking skills but are mostly used now as gundogs and just for good company.