Cairn Terrier

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Cairn Terrier
Two Cairn Terriers showing variations in coat color.
Country of origin  Scotland
Traits
Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

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

Although the breed had existed since at least 1500,[1] 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. They are usually left-pawed,[2] which has been shown in dogs to correlate to superior performance in tasks related to scent. Cairn Terriers are ratters.

History

The Cairn originated in the Highlands of Scotland and the Isle of Skye,[3] initially grouped in the "Skye Terrier" class alongside the Scottish and West Highland White Terriers. In the early 1900s, the three breeds began to be bred separately.

Description

Appearance

A middle aged, brindle Cairn Terrier
Cairn Terrier Puppy at 10 Weeks old
Cairn Terrier physique

Weight: 10-15 pounds (4.5-6.8 kg)
Height: 9–13 inches (23–33 cm)
Coat: Abundant shaggy outer coat, soft downy undercoat
Litter size: 2-10
Life span: 12–17 years

The Cairn Terrier has a harsh weather-resistant outer coat that can be black, cream, wheaten, red, sandy, gray, or brindled in any of these colours. 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 colour 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. A trait that isn't in the majority of breeds is their purple tongue. Since not many people know of this trait, a purebred can be confused for a mixed breed.[4] The cairn terrier was registered into the American kennel club in 1903.

Nine week old Cairn Terrier with Brindle coat.

Grooming

Close-up of a Cairn Terrier

Cairn Terriers are hypoallergenic and shed very little but 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. If done incorrectly this can cause discomfort to the dog, causing it to shy away from future hand stripping. Removing the dead hair in this manner allows new growth to come in. This new growth helps protect the dog from water and dirt.

Cairn Terrier ancestors are from Scotland, where the wire coat repels water and keeps the dog dry even in rainy or damp climates. Keeping the Cairn Terrier coat in its original state will prevent possible skin irritations. As dead hair is removed by stripping the coat, new growth comes in and the skin and coat will remain healthy. Clipper-cutting a Cairn might destroy the protective wire coat unique to this breed.

It is wise to have a pet examined to rule out heritable skin diseases if a Cairn is obtained from unknown sources (i.e. pet stores, rescues, or puppy mills).

Health

These dogs are generally healthy and live on average about 12 to 17 years.[5] 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 non-specific factors (i.e. infections, toxins, injuries, or advanced age).

Healthy Cairn Terrier Puppy

Some of the more common hereditary health problems found in the Cairn are:[6]

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.

Living conditions

13-year-old Cairn Terrier.

The Cairn Terrier will exist happily in an apartment if it is sufficiently exercised.[citation needed] It is very active indoors and will suffice even without a yard.[citation needed]

Cairn Terriers should have a fence in yard and ethical breeders will strongly suggest obedience school or some other type of training to direct Cairn Terrier's focus on the owner as the one in command. If allowed to take control of the household, behavior problems may develop that can only be resolved by hiring a professional dog trainer. Many breeders will only sell puppies to dedicated dog owners who agree to basic obedience school. Cairn Terriers have a strong hunting instinct and have been known to tear out sheet rock in a home to get at a mouse that may be hiding somewhere in the house.

Daily walks will help keep a Cairn Terrier happy and healthy. Curious by nature, an unsupervised Cairn Terrier running free may meet an accidental death. Fenced-in yards are strongly recommended for safety and well being.

Exercise

Cairns are active dogs, and thus will need a daily walk. Play will take care of a lot of their exercise needs; however, as with all breeds, play will not fulfill their primal instinct to walk. Dogs who do not get to go on daily walks are more likely to display behavior problems. They will also enjoy a good romp in a safe open area off leash, such as a large fenced in yard.

According to Temple Grandin in her book entitled "Animals Make Us Human," dogs need 45 minutes to one hour per day of Playing and Seeking. After fulfilling the Playing and Seeking, dogs become balanced and well-mannered.

Obedience school is often a good start to creating interactive play using words or commands for a dog to perform specific actions on cue. Teaching a Cairn Terrier tricks is also a clever way to direct their active energy into acceptable controlled dog games.

Famous Cairns

Terry, the dog who played Toto in the 1939 screen adaptation of The Wizard of Oz, was a brindle 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.[7] Terry also had a role in the Shirley Temple film Bright Eyes, and twelve other films.

In media

  • In 'Wizard of Oz,' Dorothy has a Cairn Terrier named Toto.
  • In I Love Lucy Little Ricky had a Cairn Terrier named Fred.
  • UK TV presenter Paul O'Grady often features a Cairn Terrier called Olga on his prime time chat show; dark in colour, Olga is a rescue dog.
  • Also in the UK, Pauline Fowler actress Wendy Richard in the BBC TV show EastEnders had a Cairn she fondly named "Betty." Betty made an appearance as Toto on BBC's "Strictly Come Dancing" (Series 10) after Vincent Simone and his celebrity partner Dani Harmer danced a waltz to "Over the Rainbow" from "The Wizard of Oz".
  • George Lopez's family dog on the ABC TV series George Lopez, is a Cairn Terrier named Mr. Needles, named by the son, Max, for the extremely high number of shots that the incredibly sick former stray received from the veterinarian.
  • Australian television soap series Neighbours had a Cairn Terrier named Audrey who belonged to the character Libby Kennedy.[8]
  • National Treasure: Book of Secrets
  • The character of "Romulus", owned by Ray Milland's character, Steven Tolliver, in Cecil B. De Mille's epic Reap the Wild Wind (1942) was a Cairn Terrier.
  • Oddly, the Ray Milland character a few years later in The Uninvited (1944), along with his sister also had a Cairn Terrier named "Robbie" in that film. Robbie was quite the ghost hunter in that film.
  • Thimble the dog was a brindle Cairn Terrier played by Danvers. Thimble appeared once in Episode 5, Season 5 of the British television drama Upstairs, Downstairs (1971 TV series).
  • A Wheaten Cairn Terrier named Kobe was featured in the following movies: "Dunston Checks In" / "Lost And Found" / and the opening scenes of "Twister"

In books

References

  1. http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/cairnterrier.htm
  2. http://www.cs.vu.nl/~tbosse/papers/cogsci649-alphen.pdf
  3. http://dogsarena.com/dog-breeds/cairn-terrier/
  4. http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/dogsbreed/blacktongue.htm
  5. "Individual Breed Results for Purebred Dog Health Survey". 
  6. "Health Related Concerns". Cairn Terrier Club of America Inc. Retrieved 12 May 2010. 
  7. "Wichita resident wants ‘Toto’ breed named state dog of Kansas". Lawrence Journal-World & 6 News. 13 May 2006. Retrieved 12 May 2005. 
  8. Kilkelly, Daniel (17 August 2011). "'Neighbours' pet dog Audrey loses cancer battle". Digital Spy. Retrieved 7 January 2014. 
  9. Barthelme, Donald. "Chablis." Forty Stories. New York: Penguin Books, 1989. 1. Print.

External links

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