| Cairn
Terrier Details
Height: 28-31cm (11"-12")
Colour:
Cream, Wheaten, Red, Grey, Brindle and Brindling in any of these
colours. Pure White or Black not allowed. Dark points very desirable.
Coat:
Very important. Weather-resistant. Must be double-coated, with
profuse, harsh, but not coarse, outer coat; undercoat short, soft
and close. Open coats objectionable. Slight wave permissible.
General
Appearance: Compact, sturdy body, dark eyes, broad head,
pricked ears, medium length tail. The most famous example of a Cairn
is Dorothy’s dog "Toto" from the movie "The Wizard of Oz".
|
|
Dog
Facts
Price:between
$800 to $1000, which should include pedigree papers, vaccination,
worming, microchipping and a guarantee of health in the breeders
purchase contract.
Temperament:
Alert, people oriented, friendly, out going, very food oriented,
eager to please, independent and adaptable.
Characteristics:
Should impress as being active, game and hardy.
Lifespan:
10 - 14 yrs
Recommended
for: singles, couples, families, as long as they can
give them daily exercise and attention
Be Aware
# Ask your breeder if there are any skin problems present in
the bloodlines (family) being used.
|
History
- Cairn Terriers originated on the Isle of Skye, and
in the Scottish Highlands as a vermin killing dog. They excelled
at removing rats and other rodents, as well as badgers and even
foxes from the stone cairns commonly found on Scottish farms - thus
their name, Cairn Terriers. (Terra is Latin for earth, and all of
the Terrier breeds are dogs that can ‘go to earth’ to chase their
prey, either in a den or tunnel, or by digging them out.) These
dogs were bred for their working ability and practicality. Gradually,
separate strains of this terrier became the Scottish, the West Highland
White and the Skye Terriers, with the original Terrier defined as
the Cairn. The Cairn is closest to its original ancestors and still
excels in flushing out vermin.
Temperament
- Today, the Cairn is more of a companion animal. Like all
terriers, they are agile, alert, outgoing and friendly, however
the Cairn is not as hyper as some terrier breeds, nor as stubborn.
They are usually fairly easy to train, especially if you use food
as a motivator. Positive reinforcement methods work best and not
being too repetitive in your training, or your cairn will become
bored and lose interest.
Grooming-
the cairns double coat does not shed, and consists of a harsh weatherproof
outer coat and a short soft undercoat, which is groomed with a steel
pin brush. Weekly brushing and use of a coat king tool that will
strip out the dead coat is recommended. Cairns do not require frequent
bathing, and an annual full strip out of their coat in late Spring
to early Summer will keep it, and their skin, healthy and clean.
Exercise-
daily walk or good run/chase in the yard in needed to keep them
fit and healthy. They can adjust to a small yard area, but will
need throw toys, bones and chew toys to keep them amused while they
are in it.
Health-
Cairns are generally long lived dogs, with few health problems,
and many live well into their late teens. Ask your breeder if there
are any specific problems that may occur in their bloodlines, such
as kneecap (patella) problems or temperament issues.
For Diet and other general dog health information Health/Nutrition
|