Cairn Terrier

Two Cairn Terriers showing variations in coat color.

The Cairn Terrier is a breed of dog of the terrier category. It is one of the oldest terriers, originating in the Scottish Highlands and recognized as one of Scotland's earliest working dogs, used for hunting burrowing prey among the cairns.

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Appearance

The breed standard can be found on the Cairn Terrier Club of America website. The current standard was approved on May 10, 1938 and it was adopted from the The Kennel Club of Great Britain. According to the American standard, dogs should weigh 14 pounds and stand 10" at the withers. Bitches 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, strong, and loyal. Like most terriers, they are stubborn and strong-willed, and love to dig after real or imagined prey. Cairn Terriers have a strong prey instinct and will need comprehensive training. However, they are highly intelligent and, although very willful, can be trained. Although it is often said that they are disobedient, this is not the case provided correct training is applied. They are excellent with children and make wonderful family dogs. These are working dogs and are still used as such in parts of Scotland. Like most terriers, they require large amounts of exercise. Cairn Terriers are very independent and do not make good "lap dogs". The image of Cairn Terriers being like "Toto" from the Wizard of Oz (a very good movie) is a partial misconception. In reality, these dogs do not always like to snuggle and would heartily object to being kept in a basket. They like to do what they want, and will not make good pets for someone looking for a dog to cuddle with. However, they are extremely loyal (to whoever feeds them)and very amiable.

A Cairn Terrier enjoying the sun.

Health

These dogs are generally healthy and live on average about 15 years. Yet, breeders, owners and veterinarians have identified several health problems that are significant for Cairns. Some of these dieases 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:

• Cataracts
• Ocular Melanosis
• Progressive retinal atrophy
• Corneal dystrophy
• Krabbe disease (Globoid cell leukodystrophy)
• Hip dysplasia
• Leg-Calve-Perthes disease
• Craniomandibular osteopathy (Lion Jaw)
• Von Willebrand disease
• Hypothyroidism
• Portosystemic shunt
• Luxating patella
• Entropion

Currently, the Cairn Terrier Club of America along with the Institute for Genetic Disease Control in Animals 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. 1] In addition to the Wizard of Oz, Cairn terriers have also appeared in these movies:

• Bright Eyes, 1934
• Calling Philo Vance 1940 (Terry)
• Reap the Wild Wind, 1942
• George Washington Slept Here, 1942 (Terry)
• The Uninvited, 1944
• Without Love, 1945
• The Valley of Decision, 1945
• The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, 1947
• Saturn 3, 1980
• Hocus Pocus, 1993
• Twister, 1996
• Dunston Checks In, 1996
• Portrait of a Lady, 1996
• My Summer Vacation, 1996
• Lost and Found, 1999