Post by charmingnancy on Jan 28, 2009 12:55:14 GMT -5
Cairn Terrier
Group: 4- Terriers
Origin: Scotland
Purpose: Used for hunting burrowing prey among the cairns
Description:
The Cairn was originally bred to hunt fox, badger, otter and other vermin. He is a hardy little dog with a typical terrier temperament. Very intelligent, trainable and long-lived, the Cairn generally remains playful and active well into his senior years. He enjoys all types of dog sports, including agility and flyball.
Appearance- Breed Standards:
Coat and Colour:
Coat-Very important. Weather-resistant. Must be double-coated, with profuse, harsh, but not coarse, outer coat; undercoat short, soft and close. Open coats objectionable. Slight wave permissible.
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.
Colour-Cream, wheaten, red, grey or nearly black. Brindling in all these colours acceptable. Not solid black, or white, or black and tan. Dark points, such as ears and muzzle, very typical.
Head: Head small, but in proportion to body. Skull broad; a decided indentation between the eyes with a definite stop. Muzzle powerful, jaw strong but not long or heavy. Nose black. Head well furnished. Eyes wide apart, medium in size, dark hazel. Slightly sunk with shaggy eyebrows. Ears small, pointed, well carried and erect, not too closely set nor heavily coated. Mouth large teeth. Jaws strong with perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Neck: Well set on, not short.
Forequarters: Sloping shoulders, medium length of leg, good but not too heavy bone. Forelegs never out at elbow. Legs covered with harsh hair.
Body: Back level, medium length. Well sprung deep ribs; strong supple loin.
Hindquarters: Very strong muscular thighs. Good, but not excessive, bend of stifle. Hocks well let down inclining neither in nor out when viewed from the rear. Feet forefeet larger than hind, may be slightly turned out. Pads thick and strong. Thin, narrow or spreading feet and long nails objectionable.
Tail: Short, balanced, well furnished with hair but not feathery. Neither high nor low set, carried gaily but not turned down towards back.
Gait: Very free-flowing stride. Forelegs reaching well forward. Hindlegs giving strong propulsion. Hocks neither too close nor too wide.
Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.
Size:
Approximately 28-31 cm (11-12 ins) at withers, but in proportion to
weight – ideally 6-7.5 kgs (14-16 lbs).
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. 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.
Health:
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 Cataracts, Ocular Melanosis, Progressive retinal atrophy, Corneal dystrophy, Krabbe disease (Globoid cell leukodystrophy), hip dysplasia, Legg-Calvé-Perthes syndrome, Craniomandibular osteopathy (Lion Jaw), von Winderbrand’s Disease, hypothyroidism, Portosystemic shunt, Luxating patella, and Entropion
Average Lifespan:
These dogs are generally healthy and live on average about fifteen years.
History:
There is evidence that one of the oldest-known strains of Cairn, or "Short-haired Skye Terrier," as the breed was generally known at the turn of the century, was founded by Captain Martin MacLeod of Drynock, Isle of Skye. Captain MacLeod was a great Highland sportsman and an enthusiastic otter hunter. He maintained a pack of silver grey Short-haired Skye Terriers for forty years before emigrating to Canada in 1845. The Drynock strain was kept alive by Mr. John Macdonald, Bridge of Ose Kennels, Isle of Sky. Mr. Macdonald was a gamekeeper to the Clan Chief MacLeod of McLeod, Dunvegan Castle, for more than forty years.
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.
Mrs. Alastair Campbell and Mary Hawke were the pioneers of the Cairn Terrier as we know it today. It was their persistence that led to the Cairn Terrier being recognized by The Kennel Club in 1910. On May 29, 1912, The Kennel Club Committee gave the Cairn Terrier a separate register. The Cairn could now compete at designated championship shows in the United Kingdom.
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.
Sources:
Wikipedia.com
Canada's Guide to Dogs
CKC
CairnTerrier.org
Pictures:
Photobucket
Group: 4- Terriers
Origin: Scotland
Purpose: Used for hunting burrowing prey among the cairns
Description:
The Cairn was originally bred to hunt fox, badger, otter and other vermin. He is a hardy little dog with a typical terrier temperament. Very intelligent, trainable and long-lived, the Cairn generally remains playful and active well into his senior years. He enjoys all types of dog sports, including agility and flyball.
Appearance- Breed Standards:
Coat and Colour:
Coat-Very important. Weather-resistant. Must be double-coated, with profuse, harsh, but not coarse, outer coat; undercoat short, soft and close. Open coats objectionable. Slight wave permissible.
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.
Colour-Cream, wheaten, red, grey or nearly black. Brindling in all these colours acceptable. Not solid black, or white, or black and tan. Dark points, such as ears and muzzle, very typical.
Head: Head small, but in proportion to body. Skull broad; a decided indentation between the eyes with a definite stop. Muzzle powerful, jaw strong but not long or heavy. Nose black. Head well furnished. Eyes wide apart, medium in size, dark hazel. Slightly sunk with shaggy eyebrows. Ears small, pointed, well carried and erect, not too closely set nor heavily coated. Mouth large teeth. Jaws strong with perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Neck: Well set on, not short.
Forequarters: Sloping shoulders, medium length of leg, good but not too heavy bone. Forelegs never out at elbow. Legs covered with harsh hair.
Body: Back level, medium length. Well sprung deep ribs; strong supple loin.
Hindquarters: Very strong muscular thighs. Good, but not excessive, bend of stifle. Hocks well let down inclining neither in nor out when viewed from the rear. Feet forefeet larger than hind, may be slightly turned out. Pads thick and strong. Thin, narrow or spreading feet and long nails objectionable.
Tail: Short, balanced, well furnished with hair but not feathery. Neither high nor low set, carried gaily but not turned down towards back.
Gait: Very free-flowing stride. Forelegs reaching well forward. Hindlegs giving strong propulsion. Hocks neither too close nor too wide.
Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.
Size:
Approximately 28-31 cm (11-12 ins) at withers, but in proportion to
weight – ideally 6-7.5 kgs (14-16 lbs).
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. 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.
Health:
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 Cataracts, Ocular Melanosis, Progressive retinal atrophy, Corneal dystrophy, Krabbe disease (Globoid cell leukodystrophy), hip dysplasia, Legg-Calvé-Perthes syndrome, Craniomandibular osteopathy (Lion Jaw), von Winderbrand’s Disease, hypothyroidism, Portosystemic shunt, Luxating patella, and Entropion
Average Lifespan:
These dogs are generally healthy and live on average about fifteen years.
History:
There is evidence that one of the oldest-known strains of Cairn, or "Short-haired Skye Terrier," as the breed was generally known at the turn of the century, was founded by Captain Martin MacLeod of Drynock, Isle of Skye. Captain MacLeod was a great Highland sportsman and an enthusiastic otter hunter. He maintained a pack of silver grey Short-haired Skye Terriers for forty years before emigrating to Canada in 1845. The Drynock strain was kept alive by Mr. John Macdonald, Bridge of Ose Kennels, Isle of Sky. Mr. Macdonald was a gamekeeper to the Clan Chief MacLeod of McLeod, Dunvegan Castle, for more than forty years.
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.
Mrs. Alastair Campbell and Mary Hawke were the pioneers of the Cairn Terrier as we know it today. It was their persistence that led to the Cairn Terrier being recognized by The Kennel Club in 1910. On May 29, 1912, The Kennel Club Committee gave the Cairn Terrier a separate register. The Cairn could now compete at designated championship shows in the United Kingdom.
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.
Sources:
Wikipedia.com
Canada's Guide to Dogs
CKC
CairnTerrier.org
Pictures:
Photobucket