These Scottish canines have a moderate availability and demand in India. These dogs can be a really good fit for anyone residing in India or elsewhere. The Cairn Terriers are highly adaptable in nature, they adjust well to apartment lifestyle and they have a very good tolerance to both hot and cold climatic conditions which lets them thrive comfortably in any kind of environment or any place. Regardless of their small size, they are fairly courageous and bold and can act as decent watchdogs as well. And, all these qualities make these cute canines a pretty good option for anyone who is looking to be a pet parent.
The Cairn Terriers are compactly built, active and hardy canines who possess a well-proportioned body which is covered by a weather-resistant coat. Although this pooch is reasonably short-legged but still, it is quite free and smooth in its movements. The Official Standards for the Cairn Terriers are given as follows:
The average height of the Cairn Terriers is usually above 9 Inches (at the shoulders). The male and female Cairn Terriers are quite similar to one another in terms of overall size and stature. The average weight of the Cairn Terriers is around 6-7 Kilograms.
|
GENDER |
WEIGHT |
HEIGHT |
|
MALE |
6-7 kg |
Above 10 inches |
|
FEMALE |
6-7 kg |
Above 9 inches |
The Cairn Terriers are double coated. They have a short, soft and furry undercoat and a harsh and profuse exterior coat. Their outer coat is a bit hard and is resistant to different kinds of weather conditions.
They have a tiny yet strong, active and a well-built body. Their neck is of moderate length and it smoothly blends into their shoulders. The Chest area is somewhat deep with well-sprung ribs and the Back region is straight, strong and is of fair length. Their tail is pretty well furnished and is carried quite gaily. The forelegs and hind legs are rather short but are fairly sturdy, well-boned and in balance with each other.
The head is proportionate to the rest of the body and is well covered with soft strands of hair. Their eyes are rather sunken, medium in size, hazel or dark hazel in color and are set wide apart from each other. They also have shaggy eyebrows. Their ears are pointy, small and are carried in an erect manner.
They have a well-built jaw region which consists of reasonably large teeth. Their overall muzzle is not too long or too heavy but is decently strong.
As we know, the Cairns belong to the Terrier class, thus, just like most other Terriers, these canines are also quite bold, lively, clever, confident and sometimes stubborn in nature. They remain highly active and happy throughout the day and are always eager to play various games with their loved ones. The Cairns generally do quite well with others and are warm and friendly to most people they encounter. They get along just fine with other animals as well but if they are not properly trained, they can be a little aggressive with other dogs and small animals. They are quite intelligent and sometimes can be a bit independent and willful, hence training them might be a little challenging for some people, especially for the novice dog owners. The Temperament traits of the Cairn Terriers are listed below:
The phrase “tiny bundle of joy†perfectly describes the Cairn Terriers. These canines are extremely spunky, dynamic and high-spirited and despite their tiny structure, they are tremendously self-assured and plucky in nature.
The Cairns possess a shaggy coat which efficiently protects them under harsh climatic conditions. These dogs always remain very alert and aware of their surroundings and are invariably ready to get involved in some kind of activity or task. They love to work and spend their energy and without a proper amount of regular exercise, they can become slightly frustrated and unhappy.
Under the guidance of well-experienced dog owner, there is very little this bright pooch can’t learn. They do well at various dog sports & activities and can learn a lot of different commands and tricks from their owners. They make good house pets because of their adjusting personality and easy-going nature. They are quite good with small kids and are happy to play numerous games with them. The Cairns can be a little sensitive sometimes, hence owners must refrain from scolding them and using harsh corrections. If treated gently and lovingly, these pooches are immensely delightful and fun to raise.
The Cairn Terriers are divided into different types on the basis of the several colors which their coat can be found in. These different colors are:
|
Adaptability |
**** |
Sensitivity Level |
**** |
|
Affection Level |
***** |
Potential for mouthiness |
*** |
|
Apartment-Friendly |
**** |
Drooling Potential |
* |
|
Barking Tendencies |
**** |
Energy Level |
***** |
|
Friendly towards dogs |
*** |
Health Issues |
*** |
|
Friendly towards other animals |
*** |
Intelligence |
**** |
|
Child Friendly |
**** |
Playfulness |
***** |
|
Exercise Needs |
**** |
Shedding Level |
*** |
|
Grooming Needs |
*** |
Social Needs |
***** |
|
Good for novice owners |
*** |
Stranger Friendly |
*** |
|
Trainability |
*** |
Watchdog Ability |
***** |
|
Tolerates Heat |
**** |
Tolerates Cold |
**** |
The Cairn Terriers do quite well on a high-quality nutritious diet. Their feeding material can be either prepared at home itself or it can be commercially manufactured. They should be fed at least twice a day when they are an adult but at the puppy stage, they should be given 3-4 meals in a day but the portions should be much smaller.
The Cairns require a moderate amount of exercise on a regular basis to remain healthy and in the right shape. They enjoy long strolls in the park, are happy to play a lot of games with their family members and are eager to chase a ball or a toy either inside or outside the house. They are always very excited to spend their energy on some kind of work and are usually quite enthusiastic while getting trained as well.
Early socialization and obedience training is very important for the Cairn Terriers. They are quite agreeable and responsive while getting trained but they can sometimes test the patience of their owners by being a bit stubborn and independent. But, it is crucial for the owners to remain gentle and kind as these pooches are fairly sensitive in nature. If the training sessions are non-repetitive and fun for the Cairns, then they get trained rather effortlessly and try to learn new commands and tricks fairly quickly.
The Cairns are occasional shedders and they shed their fur in a moderate amount. Their grooming needs are quite manageable. Their harsh coat is needed to be brushed on a weekly basis. Bathing them and brushing of teeth can be done occasionally, whenever it seems necessary. Their nails should be trimmed regularly.
Health-related problems which are commonly seen in the Cairn Terriers are as follows:
Frequent visits to a vet’s clinic are not required for the Cairns because they tend to remain fit and fine throughout their life-span (if they are receiving proper exercise, nutrition, and care).
Captain Martin MacLeod is believed by many to have created one of the oldest strains of this breed. The Cairns came into existence more than 2 centuries ago on the Isle of Skye. They were initially referred to as Scotch Terriers and they shared this class with other breeds such as Scottish Terriers, West Highland White Terriers.
But, towards the end of the 19th century, all these different canines began to be bred separately and eventually individual breeds were developed. The Cairn Terriers were primarily used by the farmers to hunt down rodents such as rats, squirrels et cetera.
When Cairns were separated from the rest of the Scotch Terriers, there was a huge debate as to what name should be given to them. Finally, their name was decided after taking inspiration from piles of rock which were used as landmarks all over Scotland. These canines were famous for barking at their preys which were trapped in the cairns (rocks) until their owners came to claim them. These canines were recognized by AKC in the year 1913.
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