|
|
|
|
Cairn Terrier
|
| |
|
| |
The Cairn Terrier is one of the oldest terrier breeds, originating in the Scottish Highlands and recognized as one of Scotland's earliest working dogs, used for hunting burrowing prey among the cairns.
Although the breed had existed long before, the name Cairn Terrier was a compromise suggestion after the breed was originally brought to official shows in the United Kingdom in 1909 under the name Short-haired Skye terriers.
Discussion
Ask a question about 'Cairn Terrier' Start a new discussion about 'Cairn Terrier' Answer questions from other users |
Encyclopedia
The Cairn Terrier is one of the oldest terrier breeds, originating in the Scottish Highlands and recognized as one of Scotland's earliest working dogs, used for hunting burrowing prey among the cairns.
Although the breed had existed long before, the name Cairn Terrier was a compromise suggestion after the breed was originally brought to official shows in the United Kingdom in 1909 under the name Short-haired Skye terriers. This name was not acceptable to The Kennel Club due to opposition from Skye Terrier breeders, and the name Cairn Terrier was suggested as an alternative. The Cairn Terrier quickly became popular and has remained so ever since. They are usually always left pawed. Cairn Terriers are ratters. In Ireland they would search the carins (large rock piles) for rats and other rodents. Thus if one is kept as a house hold pet it will do the job of a cat, specifically catching and killing mice, rabbits, and squirrels.
Description
Appearance
| Cairn Terrier physique |
|---|
|
| | Weight: | 14-18 pounds (6-8 kg) | | | Height: | 10-13 inches (25-33 cm) | | | Coat: | Abundant shaggy outer coat, soft downy undercoat | | Litter size: | 6-10 | | Life span: | 12-15 years | |
The breed standard can be found on the website. The current standard was approved on May 10, 1938 and was adopted from the . According to the American standard, dogs should weigh 14 pounds and stand 10" at the withers. Females should weigh 13 pounds and stand 9.5" at the withers. A Cairn's appearance may vary from this standard. It is common for a Cairn to stand between 9 and 13 inches (23-33 cm) at the withers and weigh 13 to 18 pounds (6 to 8 kg). European Cairns tend to be larger than American Cairns. Due to irresponsible breeding, many Cairns available today are much smaller or much larger than the breed standard. Cairns that have had puppy mill backgrounds can weigh as little as 7 pounds or as much as 27 pounds.
The Cairn Terrier has a harsh, weather-resistant outer coat that can be cream, wheaten, red, sandy, gray, or brindled in any of these colors. Pure black, black and tan, and white are not permitted by many kennel clubs. While registration of white Cairns was once permitted, after 1917 the American Kennel Club required them to be registered as West Highland White Terriers. A notable characteristic of Cairns is that brindled Cairns frequently change color throughout their lifetime. It is not uncommon for a brindled Cairn to become progressively more black or silver as it ages. The Cairn is double-coated, with a soft, dense undercoat and a harsh outer coat. A well-groomed Cairn has a rough-and-ready appearance, free of artifice or exaggeration.
Temperament
Cairn Terriers are intelligent, lively, strong, and loyal. Like most terriers, they love to dig after real or imagined prey. Cairn Terriers have a strong prey instinct and will need comprehensive training. However, they are reasonably intelligent and, although willful, can be trained. Training of the Cairn Terrier has the best results when training as a puppy, as they become unwillfully stubborn. Although it is often said that they are disobedient, this is not the case provided correct training is applied.
Cairns are working dogs and are still used as such in parts of Scotland. Cairn Terriers generally adapt well to children and are suitable family dogs.
Grooming
Cairn Terriers should always be hand stripped. Using scissors or shears can ruin the dog's rugged outer coat after one grooming. Hand stripping involves pulling the old dead hair out by the roots. This does not harm the dog in any way. Removing the dead hair in this manner allows new growth to come in. This new growth helps protect the dog from water and dirt. An extra precaution should be taken for the grooming of the Cairn Terrier they can get skin bothersome conditions as they get older. Be sure to see that the dog's skin is all right before grooming. Keeping any dog routinely groomed leads to better health.
Health
These dogs are generally healthy and live on average about fifteen years. Yet breeders, owners and veterinarians have identified several
health problems that are significant for Cairns. Some of these diseases are hereditary while others occur as a result of nonspecific factors (i.e. infections, toxins, injuries, or advanced age).
Some of the more common hereditary health problems found in the Cairn are:
Currently, the along with the maintain an open registry for Cairn Terriers in hopes of reducing the occurrence of hereditary diseases within the breed. Breeders voluntarily submit their dogs' test results for research purpose, as well as for use by individuals who seek to make sound breeding decisions.
Famous Cairns
Terry, the dog who played Toto in the 1939 screen adaptation of The Wizard of Oz, was a Cairn Terrier. Due to the identification of the State of Kansas with the original story The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, a resident of Wichita, Kansas has begun a drive to make the Cairn Terrier the official dog of the State of Kansas. Cairn terriers have also appeared in other movies:
|
| (mistakenly called a Pomeranian by Walter Sobchak) (Appears at about 1 hour 6 minutes) |
In Television
- UK TV Presenter Paul O'Grady often features a Cairn Terrier called Olga on his prime time chat show; dark in colour, Olga was a rescue dog.
- Also in the UK, Pauline Fowler actress Wendy Richards in the BBC TV show EastEnders had a Cairn she fondly named "Betty".
- Australian television soap series Neighbours had a Cairn Terrier named Audrey who belonged to the character Libby Kennedy
- National Treasure 2
- JIMINY --Prized showdog in Ontario, Canada
In Books
- In the Maximum Ride book series Total the talking dog is a Cairn Terrier.
Books
Beynon, J. W. H. & Fisher, A. (1963; 1961).
The Cairn Terrier 3rd ed. rev.
New York : Arco. Accession No: OCLC: 2546448.
Beynon, J. W. H. & Fisher, A. (1961).
The Popular Cairn Terrier 3d ed. rev.
London, Popular Dogs. Accession No: OCLC: 1432158.
Beynon, J. W. H. & Fisher, A. (1969).
The Cairn Terrier 4th ed. rev.
London, Popular Dogs. ISBN 0090614526. [Previous editions published under title: The Popular Cairn Terrier.]
Beynon, J. W. H. & Fisher, A. (1970).
The Cairn Terrier Rev. ed.
New York: Arco. Accession No: OCLC: 8025355.
Beynon, J. W. H. & Fisher, A. (1974).
The Cairn Terrier Rev. ed.
New York : Arco. Accession No: OCLC: 1654828.
Beynon, J. W. H. & Fisher, A. (1974).
The Cairn Terrier 5th ed.
New York: Arco Pub. Co. Accession No: OCLC: 1168868.
Beynon, J. W. H. & Fisher, A. [revised by Wilson, P.] (1974).
The Cairn Terrier 5th ed.
London: Popular Dogs Pub. Co. Accession No: OCLC: 1559851.
Beynon, J. W. H. & Fisher, A. [revised by Wilson, P.]. (1977).
The Cairn Terrier 6th ed.
London : Popular Dogs Pub. Co. ISBN 0091293405.
Beynon, J. W. H., Fisher, A., Wilson, P. & Proudlock, D. (1988).
The Terrier.
Place of Publication Unknown: Popular Dogs. ISBN 0091581508.
Beynon, J. W. H. & Hutchison, J. H. (1930).
The Popular Cairn Terrier.
London: Popular Dogs Pub. Co., Ltd. Accession No: OCLC: 10576671.
Beynon, J. W. H. & Fisher, A. (1969).
The Cairn Terrier 4th ed. revised.
London: Popular Dogs. ISBN 0090614526.
Birch, B. & Birch, R. (1999).
Pet Owner's Guide to the Cairn Terrier.
Sydney : Ringpress ISBN 1860541119.
Camino E.E. & B. Co.
Cairn Terrier Champions, 1952-1986.
Camino, CA: Camino E.E. & B. Co. ISBN 0940808471.
Carter, C. (1995).
The Cairn Terrier.
Neptune, NJ: T.F.H. Accession No: OCLC: 34877430.
Caspersz, T. W. L. (1957).
The Cairn Terrier Handbook: Giving the Origin and History of the Breed, Its Show Career, Its Points and Breeding.
London: Nicholson & Watson. Accession No: OCLC: 6756006.
Cooke, R. & Cooke, C. (1997).
The Cairn Terrier in Canada.
East St. Paul, MB: R. & C. Cooke. : ISBN 096831760X (v. 1).
Gordon, J. F. (1987).
All About the Cairn Terrier.
London: Pelham Books. ISBN 0720717868.
Gordon, J. F. (1988).
All About the Cairn Terrier.
London: Pelham Books ISBN 0720717868.
Jacobi, G. A. (1976).
Your Cairn Terrier.
Fairfax, VA: Denlinger's. ISBN 0877140391.
Jamieson, R. (2000).
Cairn Terrier.
Dorking: Interpet. ISBN 1902389344.
Lehman, P. F. (1999).
Cairn Terriers.
Hauppauge, NY : Barron's Educational Series. ISBN 0764106384.
Marcum, B. E. (1995).
The New Cairn Terrier.
New York : Howell Book House. ISBN 0876050739.
Marvin, J. T. (1975).
The Complete Cairn Terrier.
New York: Howell Book House.
Marvin, J. T. (1986).
The New Complete Cairn Terrier 2nd ed.
New York: Howell Book House. ISBN 0876050976.
McCormack, E. (1965).
How to Raise and Train a Cairn Terrier.
Neptune, N.J.: T.F.H. Publications. Accession No: OCLC: 1485681.
McCormack, E. (1983).
How to Raise and Train a Cairn Terrier.
Neptune, N.J.: T.F.H. Publications. ISBN 0876662629 (pbk.).
McCormack, E. (1965).
How to Raise and Train a Cairn Terrier.
Neptune, N.J.: T.F.H. Publications. ISBN 087666262.
Patten, B. J. (1996).
The Terrier Breeds.
Vero Beach, FL: Rourke Corp. ISBN 0865934584.
Ross, F. M., Burton, N. L. & others. (1932).
The Cairn Terrier.
Manchester, England: "Our Dogs" Pub. Co. Accession No: OCLC: 19603882.
Schneider, E. (1967).
Know Your Cairn Terrier.
New York: Pet Library. Accession No: OCLC: 2579232.
Walin, D. (1983).
The Cairn Terrier and West Highland White: Breed Standards, History, Care and Grooming.
Place of Publication Unknown: Oster Professional Products Department. Accession No: OCLC: 14081415.
Whitehead, H. F. [edited & revised by Macdonald, A.] (1976; 1975).
Cairn Terriers.
New York: Arco Pub. ISBN 0668039671.
Willis, J. R. (1993).
Genetic Anomalies of the Cairn Terrier: A Reference Manual for Conscientious Breeders.
Howell, MI: The Cairn Terrier Club of America. Accession No: OCLC: 41363972.
Scientific Articles
Zaal, M D ; Ingh, T S G A M van den ; Goedegebuure, S & A ; Nes, J J van
Title: Progressive neuronopathy in two cairn terrier littermates;
Source: The Veterinary quarterly. 19, no. 1, (1997): 34 (3 pages)
Additional Info: Published for the Royal Netherlands Veterinary Association by Nijhoff.
Alt Journal: Key Title: The Veterinary quarterly Preceding
Title: Tijdschrift voor diergeneeskunde
Standard No: ISSN: 0165-2176 CODEN: VEQUDU
OCLC No: 5393794
Gorke, B. ; Rentmeister, K. ; Peters, M. ; Siegert, F. ; Tipold, A. ; Hewicker-Trautwein, M. German
Title: Progressive neuronopathy in the Cairn terrier: two cases in Germany
Source: Wiener tierärztliche Monatsschrift. 88, Part 7 (2001): 183-186
Issue Id: Part 7
Alt Journal: Key Title: Wiener Tierärztliche Monatsschrift
Preceding Title: Tierärztliche zeitschrift
Succeeding Title: Deutsche tierharztliche Wochenschrift Berliner und Münchener tierärztliche Wochenschrift Tierärztliche rundschau Tierärztliche zeitschrift
Standard No: ISSN: 0043-535X CODEN: WTMOA3
OCLC No: 1696180
BL Shelfmark: 9316.000000
Article Type: Article
Schaer, Michael ; Harvey, John W. ; Calderwood-Mays, Maron ; Giger, Urs
Title: Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency Causing Hemolytic Anemia with Secondary Hemochromatosis in a Cairn Terrier. Diagnosis is made from a liver biopsy and confirmed with electrophoretic and immunoprecipitation studies.
Source: The Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association. 28, no. 3, (May 1992): 233-240
Alt Journal: Key Title: The Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association
Preceding Title: Animal hospital
Standard No: ISSN: 0587-2871 CODEN: JAAHBL
Fiction for Children
Kuklin, S. (1988).
Taking My Dog to the Vet.
Bradbury Press: U.S. ISBN 0027512347 (lib bdg).
Abstract: "A little girl takes her Cairn Terrier to the veterinarian for his annual check-up. The vet is gentle and explains to Minal what he is doing to her dog and why. He checks Silver's weight, eyes, mouth, ears, breath, and heart, along with his skin, hair, hind parts, and temperature. He takes a blood sample and gives Silver two shots. The dog is in perfect condition, except for 'some extra Silver': 'Dogs often become overweight, so be careful,' cautions Dr. Kuhlman. Preschool to grade two."
Videocassettes
American Kennel Club. (1986).
The Cairn Terrier.
New York: American Kennel Club 1 videocassette (20 min.) + 1 pamphlet. Accession No: OCLC: 18777187.
American Kennel Club
The Terrier Group.
Raleigh, NC: American Kennel Club. Videocassette. Accession No: OCLC: 29245653.
Walin, D. [narrator]. (1988).
Grooming the Short-Legged Terriers: Cairn, West Highland White, Scotties.
Produced by Kluge Communications, Inc. Videocassette (39 minutes). Accession No: OCLC: 32606555.
External links
- Clubs, Associations, and Societies
- Pictures
- Additional Cairn Information
- Cairn Terrier Stories & Pics
|
| |
|
|
