The Cairn Terrier
The Cairn Terrier
Origins
The Cairn Terrier breed has its origins in Scotland, even if it existed in other parts long before that. In Scotland, this breed received the name Cairn and became popular due to the similarity with the Skye Terrier breed. These dogs were used for catching rats or others rodents (rabbits, squirrels), doing the cat’s job in the household.
Appearance
The Cairn Terrier belongs to the small dog breeds, with a weight of 5-8 kg and a height of 24-32 cm at the withers. The body varies in size for the European breed than the American one. Some dogs tend to have a smaller but larger body due to irresponsible breeding. The body is covered with a harsh textured outer coat, weather proof, colored in red, gray, wheaten, cream, and brindle, even black and tan. The undercoat is soft and dense. The brindled dog often change coat color during its lifetime. The head displays black round eyes, sometimes shadowed by patches of hair from the eyebrows. The ears are triangle shaped and erected. The muzzle is medium in lenght, with a coat beard and “moustaches”.
Grooming
The Cairn Terrier is a low shedder breed. The coat requires a moderate attention. Combing and brushing should be done twice a week and more during the shedding season, even some coat clipping and stripping (especially for the show dogs).
Health Facts
The Cairn Terriers have a lifespan of 11-15 years. They are prone to some hereditary problems of health, ranging from eye (ocular melanosis, corneal dystrophy, cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy), neurologic (the Krabbe disease – it infects the myelin sheath), bone (“lion jaw” – craniomandibular osteopathy; hip dysplasia, luxating patella). They are generally healthy dogs.
Temperament and Lifestyle
The Cairn Terriers are intelligent, loyal, loving dogs. Cairn Terriers training isn’t difficult to achieve, if done in the puppy stages. These dogs can show a strong prey instinct, moderated only by a proper dog training. They are easily adaptable and behave really well around children and other pets, being a really suitable family dog.
More articles on this:
- The Boston Terrier
- The Bedlington Terrier
- The Border Terrier
- The Australian Terrier
- The Yorkshire Terrier
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