The Cairn Terrier: One of Scotland's Earliest Working Dog
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For over 200 years, the Scottish Highlands called the Isle of Skye has been known to keep some little breeds of terriers that are superb hunters and small game catchers. Some of these breeds are the West Highland White terrier and Skye terrier, which are both known around the world today as adorable and dependable pets. From these breeds sprang the Cairn Terrier, which is the last of the Scottish Highlands terriers to be introduced to the kennel clubs.
The Cairn Terrier is being considered as one of the earliest working dogs in Scotland. It was primarily used as a ratter and vermin catcher and it often enthusiastically hunts prey that hide beneath the huge rock piles on the ground. In Scotland, these rock piles are called cairns and this is where the little ratter Cairn Terrier got its name.
This little breed, with its dense coat and smart looking eyes, appears adorably shaggy and vigilant. According to the breed standard, the Cairn terrier should stand between 10 to 13 inches in height and should weigh between 14 to 18 pounds. Due to some irresponsible breeding, however, there are several Cairns that weigh and stand more than the breed standards would allow.
The coat of this breed appears dense and shaggy on the outside and soft and tamed underneath. This coat protects the dog from harsh weather and other rough objects and it often comes out in colors of red, wheaten, gray and cream. Some coat colors also appear in brindles of black, white, and black and tan.
Interestingly, the coat color of a Cairn can never really be predicted during its early stages because the coat colors tend to change infinitely over the whole span of the dogs life. There are coat colors that become lighter while there are some colors that become darker, some even to a point of being pure black. If there is a pure white-colored Cairn, the American Kennel Club lists this type as a West Highland White terrier.
Most Cairns today are considered as house pets but even so, the natural hunting instinct in them still comes out often. Often, these dogs run all over the house in a frantic chase of rats and other vermin. Sometimes, they vigorously dig dirt outside of the house in search of real or imaginary game.
The Cairn terrier is an intelligent dog and can be trained to perform tasks and obey commands. However, it is also well-known for being stubborn and having a mind of its own. These factors may make training sessions harder but instead of being angry and impatient, it is best for the master to try and reinforce this dog with positive handlings only.
Today, the Cairn terrier can often be seen living amongst humans in small apartments or big households. It adapts well with children that's why many families opt for it as a family pet. It does not take too much to groom this dog as well for it only needs its coat to be hand stripped in order to keep it in shaggy style and keep the dead hair away at the same time.
The Cairn Terrier is being considered as one of the earliest working dogs in Scotland. It was primarily used as a ratter and vermin catcher and it often enthusiastically hunts prey that hide beneath the huge rock piles on the ground. In Scotland, these rock piles are called cairns and this is where the little ratter Cairn Terrier got its name.
This little breed, with its dense coat and smart looking eyes, appears adorably shaggy and vigilant. According to the breed standard, the Cairn terrier should stand between 10 to 13 inches in height and should weigh between 14 to 18 pounds. Due to some irresponsible breeding, however, there are several Cairns that weigh and stand more than the breed standards would allow.
The coat of this breed appears dense and shaggy on the outside and soft and tamed underneath. This coat protects the dog from harsh weather and other rough objects and it often comes out in colors of red, wheaten, gray and cream. Some coat colors also appear in brindles of black, white, and black and tan.
Interestingly, the coat color of a Cairn can never really be predicted during its early stages because the coat colors tend to change infinitely over the whole span of the dogs life. There are coat colors that become lighter while there are some colors that become darker, some even to a point of being pure black. If there is a pure white-colored Cairn, the American Kennel Club lists this type as a West Highland White terrier.
Most Cairns today are considered as house pets but even so, the natural hunting instinct in them still comes out often. Often, these dogs run all over the house in a frantic chase of rats and other vermin. Sometimes, they vigorously dig dirt outside of the house in search of real or imaginary game.
The Cairn terrier is an intelligent dog and can be trained to perform tasks and obey commands. However, it is also well-known for being stubborn and having a mind of its own. These factors may make training sessions harder but instead of being angry and impatient, it is best for the master to try and reinforce this dog with positive handlings only.
Today, the Cairn terrier can often be seen living amongst humans in small apartments or big households. It adapts well with children that's why many families opt for it as a family pet. It does not take too much to groom this dog as well for it only needs its coat to be hand stripped in order to keep it in shaggy style and keep the dead hair away at the same time.
About the Author:
Trevor Ryans is an experienced breeder of Cairn Terrier dogs. Come and check out his website right now and read numerous of his works including Cairn Terrier breeders, Cairn Terrier rescue, Cairn Terrier puppies and more.
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