Cairn terriers are loyal , intelligent , and playful trivial click who are just as happy snuggling on your lap covering as they are accompanying you on hikes .
Cairn terriers are tender , intelligent , loyal , and in general howling small associate who thrive on care from their citizenry . They love to nestle , but as they were originally breed to William Holman Hunt foxes from their dens in Scotland , they alsolove hike with their ownersor enjoy a expert shoo-in in the yard .
Great with nestling and other dogs , cairns makeexcellent family unit pets , and are adaptable to pretty much any live situation ( flat included ! ) so long as their moderate exercise needs are met . The cairn terrier has a short and shagged pelage that ’s easy to care for , with minimal shedding .
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The most well - bed cairn terrier held a starring role in the originalThe Wizard of Ozmovie — Dorothy ’s little heel , Toto !
Appearance
The scrappy little cairn terrier has a sturdy body , with a wide head teacher atop short ramification . Rarely taller than 10 inch and count in at around 14 pounds , the cairn is perfectly sized for long cuddle sessions on his possessor ’s circle , but hardy enough for rowdy playtime . His eyes are deep chocolate-brown and intelligent - sounding , and his face is sometimes described as " fox – like , " an ironic statement since this little guy wasoriginally bred to rout out vermin — include foxes!—from rock piles in Scotland .
Cairn terrier colour can include about every shade except white , with a identification number of unlike pattern and markings . cairn do n’t spill much and their light , bushy coats take minimal dressing .
Temperament
Cairn terrier are mellifluous dogs with a lot of personality . Shlomo Freiman , DVM , founder of theAnimal Hospital of Factoriain Bellevue , Wash. , owns a cairn terrier and says that they are great little pets .
" cairn terrier are what I would call ' terrier - low-cal , ' as they have a wicked side and a high news and activeness level , but they ’re not just go - go - go and are a lot less ambitious to own than other terrier breeds , " Freiman enjoin .
Affectionate and loyal cairn are alsogentle with nipper , tend to get along well with other dogs , and love a skilful play academic session . Though scarcely guard dogs , they ’ll certainly alert you to a alien come up to the housewith a sharp bark . These blackguard are voguish , too , which gives them areputation of being easily teachable . They can be agood choice for first – clock time heel owners , and Freiman say he often recommends the cairn terrier to his clients if they ’re appear for asmall breed .
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Living Needs
Cairn terriers are adaptable pups who can do well in homes or even apartments , so long as theyget their daily utilization needs gather . Though small , they do have rafts of energy , soregular walksor visit to thedog parkare a must .
If left alone for many hour at a time , cairns can become bored and might chew up your pillow to keep themselves busy — so this might not be the best hot dog to bring home if you ’re out of the house all day . Be certain yourbackyard is fence in , as cairns can easily get distracted by small animal and course off to chase them , thanks to their hunting instincts .
A very lovesome stock , cairns make swell companions for just about every variety of firedog possessor , and they are awesome as syndicate PET . Many cairn terrier owners even account that their dogsget along with their Arabian tea , but they might not have such sunny relationships with bozo outside of the home ( there go those terrier instinct again ! ) . Because of the breed ’s history as vermin huntsman , it ’s probably not a good idea to have your cairn around other small pets like gerbille or hamster , either .
Cairn terriers love to lounge around with their owners and nuzzle up on the lounge , but they can also make dandy outdoor companions .
" My cairn runs trails with me , though he is often less enthusiastic about coming along than myJack Russell , who has seemingly limitless energy , " Freiman suppose . " Sothey are active , but a couple of good base on balls a day and some timethrowing a clump aroundwith them will meet their exercise needs and keep them happy . "
Care
Cairn terrier training is pretty low - key . Abrush every weekor so will keep their coating looking tidy and at their serious . Like most modest dogs , cairn terrier can be prostrate to dental issues , butregular tooth brushingcan assistance foresee likely problem .
Because cairn are in the main an active breed , they love good walks or play academic session with their owners . Giving them mass of exercise and mental stimulation will aid keep them happy and healthy .
" We always have to take care back at what these frankfurter are engender for and how those call for for input still call for to be met , " Freiman pronounce . " If they are n’t develop that stimulation , they can be troublemakers . "
cairn are very societal and beloved being with their people and play with other dogs . These smart little pups are in general study easy to train — but consistency is cardinal , along withpositive reinforcing stimulus . Because they do have solid personalities , startobedience trainingearly on to serve head off any undesirable behaviors issues down the personal credit line . Get everyone in the theatre to serve so that there is a consistent glide path and your cairn terrier pup make out incisively what the boundary are .
Health
Like other terrier breed , cairns canlive long and healthy lives — sometimesas long as 15 years . Freiman describe them as healthy and racy ; " a hardy picayune stock . " But as they senesce , it ’s possible they ’ll experience issues withluxating patellaandretinal problem such as cataracts .
As these are typically genetic result , Freiman advise find out from your cairn terrier stock breeder if he ’s had all health screenings recommend by theCanine Health Information Center . Routine medical care is always crucial , and it ’s key to speak with your vet about any red flags that you should be aware of right after bringing home your dearie .
History
The cairn terrier originally herald from the Isle of Skye in Scotland , and for almost a century , the strain was cognise as the short - haired Skye terrier , according to the Cairn Terrier Club of America . Originally used as gnawer - catcher , these work out dogs were utterly build for delve intocairns — traditional Scottish rock piles used as acres boundary markers — and were responsible for chasing out the rodents that made their homes under the rock ‘n’ roll .
In the early 1900s , the Kennel Club of the United Kingdom recognized the strain on its own ( outside of other terrier from the Skye region ) , and the cairn terrier received his New name . The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1913 .
Fun Facts
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