| Cairn Terriers |
BREED STANDARD
The Cairn Terrier is an active, hardy, small working terrier. Cairn Terriers are free in
movement, strong, but not heavily built. Their head is shorter and wider than any other
terriers and well furnished with hair giving a general foxy expression. Cairn Terriers are a
wonderful family dog, but will always remember their ancestry as a "sporting terrier". They
make a very active, inquisitive and "ready to go" dog. Great dog for the house plus Cairn
Terriers are very good with children. Energetic and always on the watch, they will alert you
to the presence of strangers. Cairns on average range from 10-12 inches tall and 14-18
pounds. They have a weather resistant double coat with harsh outercoat and soft
undercoat. Regular weekly brushing is required. Expected lifespan is 12-15 years.
HISTORY
Originally the cairn was a working dog, earning his keep helping the Scottish farmer rid his
holdings of the foxes and badgers that preyed on this livestock and crops. Their dens
were in the piles of rocks called "cairns" scattered over the Scottish hillsides. The Cairn
would squirm and dig his way down into these rocks, bark to hold the varmint while the
farmer dug down to dispatch the intruder. Of course the Cairn had to defend himself
against his much larger adversary. Today, the Cairn Terrier has the same instinct and
courage he had then.Perhaps the motto of the British breed club sums it up best: "The
best little pal in the world."
HEALTH CARE
The selection of a good veterinarian should be made promptly, as your puppy needs
supervision of his vaccination schedule and preventive medicine against
heartworms/fleas/ticks, as well as regular check-ups. Cairns are sturdy and inherently
healthy, but owners should not attempt to diagnose or treat a sick dog. Human
medications can be harmful or fatal for dogs.
GROOMING
Regular brushing-at least once a week-followed by a careful combing, will keep shedding
to a minimum. Trim excess hair from tips of ears, tail, and feet. Keep nails short and
teeth clean. Bathe seldom to avoid drying skin and excessive shedding. Do keep your
Cairn flea-free, many Cairns are allergic to flea bites.
NEUTERING VS. BREEDING
Is one of the most important decisions you will make regarding your dog. Be aware that
neutered dogs live longer than those left entire. Male Cairns which have been neutered do
not have testicular cancer and are at greatly reduced risk of prostate problems, cancerous
and otherwise. In addition, dominance and aggression in males is often hormonally
linked. Female Cairns will not have uterine cancers or other uterine infections, which are
not uncommon in unspayed females. Mammary tumor incidence is greatly reduced in
females spayed before their first season, and a spayed female won't be attracting all the
neighborhood dogs.
Breeding is a serious undertaking, best left to those who have the knowledge to do it well,
and who are committed to the responsibility for the puppies brought into our often
uncaring world. Breeding is a lot of work. Many long hours are required to keep a litter of
puppies clean, fed, and properly socialized through the early weeks of life. Many additional
hours are spent researching stud dogs and pedigrees, as responsible breeders
endeavor to produce puppies better than either parent. It can also be very expensive. And
it can be heart-breaking. Even in the skilled hands of an experienced breeder, the birth of a
litter can end tragically.
TRAINING
Cairns are very intelligent and curious. Be sure you train your puppy with firmness and
consistency. Harsh punishment is not necessary. Be sure, though, that your Cairn knows
that YOU are in charge. Like children, they will test your limits, but need discipline to turn
out well. A good obedience training class is highly recommended. "Kindergarten puppy
training" classes are especially valuable for the novice owner of the clever Cairn. Even if
you don't do formal obedience training, teach your puppy to walk on a leash. A Cairn's
natural instinct is to chase small animals and they often challenge larger dogs. A LEASH
CAN SAVE YOUR CAIRNS LIFE-they don't look both ways before crossing the street. A
Cairn should not be tied out in a yard, or allowed to run loose, for his own safety. Your
Cairn should wear a collar with an ID tag at all times in case he is ever lost. His tag is his
ticket home-replace it if you move. Ask your vet about microchipping.
ACTIVITIES FOR YOU AND YOUR CAIRN
Obedience competition with a cairn is a great way to forge a bond between you--if you
make sure it is fun for your Cairn. Cairns are a natural at Agility, a fast growing AKC
recognized sport. Tracking and terrier trials are other possible things for you and your
cairn to explore.
The Cairn is the essence of terrier: plucky, spirited, bold, inquisitive, hardy, clever,
stubborn, and scrappy. It is responsive to its owner's wishes, however, and tries to please;
in fact, it is surprisingly sensitive. This breed should be given daily physical and mental
exercise in a safe area.
The Cairn Terrier is an active, hardy, small working terrier. Cairn Terriers are free in
movement, strong, but not heavily built. Their head is shorter and wider than any other
terriers and well furnished with hair giving a general foxy expression. Cairn Terriers are a
wonderful family dog, but will always remember their ancestry as a "sporting terrier". They
make a very active, inquisitive and "ready to go" dog. Great dog for the house plus Cairn
Terriers are very good with children. Energetic and always on the watch, they will alert you
to the presence of strangers. Cairns on average range from 10-12 inches tall and 14-18
pounds. They have a weather resistant double coat with harsh outercoat and soft
undercoat. Regular weekly brushing is required. Expected lifespan is 12-15 years.
HISTORY
Originally the cairn was a working dog, earning his keep helping the Scottish farmer rid his
holdings of the foxes and badgers that preyed on this livestock and crops. Their dens
were in the piles of rocks called "cairns" scattered over the Scottish hillsides. The Cairn
would squirm and dig his way down into these rocks, bark to hold the varmint while the
farmer dug down to dispatch the intruder. Of course the Cairn had to defend himself
against his much larger adversary. Today, the Cairn Terrier has the same instinct and
courage he had then.Perhaps the motto of the British breed club sums it up best: "The
best little pal in the world."
HEALTH CARE
The selection of a good veterinarian should be made promptly, as your puppy needs
supervision of his vaccination schedule and preventive medicine against
heartworms/fleas/ticks, as well as regular check-ups. Cairns are sturdy and inherently
healthy, but owners should not attempt to diagnose or treat a sick dog. Human
medications can be harmful or fatal for dogs.
GROOMING
Regular brushing-at least once a week-followed by a careful combing, will keep shedding
to a minimum. Trim excess hair from tips of ears, tail, and feet. Keep nails short and
teeth clean. Bathe seldom to avoid drying skin and excessive shedding. Do keep your
Cairn flea-free, many Cairns are allergic to flea bites.
NEUTERING VS. BREEDING
Is one of the most important decisions you will make regarding your dog. Be aware that
neutered dogs live longer than those left entire. Male Cairns which have been neutered do
not have testicular cancer and are at greatly reduced risk of prostate problems, cancerous
and otherwise. In addition, dominance and aggression in males is often hormonally
linked. Female Cairns will not have uterine cancers or other uterine infections, which are
not uncommon in unspayed females. Mammary tumor incidence is greatly reduced in
females spayed before their first season, and a spayed female won't be attracting all the
neighborhood dogs.
Breeding is a serious undertaking, best left to those who have the knowledge to do it well,
and who are committed to the responsibility for the puppies brought into our often
uncaring world. Breeding is a lot of work. Many long hours are required to keep a litter of
puppies clean, fed, and properly socialized through the early weeks of life. Many additional
hours are spent researching stud dogs and pedigrees, as responsible breeders
endeavor to produce puppies better than either parent. It can also be very expensive. And
it can be heart-breaking. Even in the skilled hands of an experienced breeder, the birth of a
litter can end tragically.
TRAINING
Cairns are very intelligent and curious. Be sure you train your puppy with firmness and
consistency. Harsh punishment is not necessary. Be sure, though, that your Cairn knows
that YOU are in charge. Like children, they will test your limits, but need discipline to turn
out well. A good obedience training class is highly recommended. "Kindergarten puppy
training" classes are especially valuable for the novice owner of the clever Cairn. Even if
you don't do formal obedience training, teach your puppy to walk on a leash. A Cairn's
natural instinct is to chase small animals and they often challenge larger dogs. A LEASH
CAN SAVE YOUR CAIRNS LIFE-they don't look both ways before crossing the street. A
Cairn should not be tied out in a yard, or allowed to run loose, for his own safety. Your
Cairn should wear a collar with an ID tag at all times in case he is ever lost. His tag is his
ticket home-replace it if you move. Ask your vet about microchipping.
ACTIVITIES FOR YOU AND YOUR CAIRN
Obedience competition with a cairn is a great way to forge a bond between you--if you
make sure it is fun for your Cairn. Cairns are a natural at Agility, a fast growing AKC
recognized sport. Tracking and terrier trials are other possible things for you and your
cairn to explore.
The Cairn is the essence of terrier: plucky, spirited, bold, inquisitive, hardy, clever,
stubborn, and scrappy. It is responsive to its owner's wishes, however, and tries to please;
in fact, it is surprisingly sensitive. This breed should be given daily physical and mental
exercise in a safe area.
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