Cairn Terrier

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN Scotlan.

MOST SUITED AS Vermin destroyer, hunting dog, and family pet.

SIZE
The shoulder-height is 28 - 31cm (11 - 12 1/2 in) tall, but this must be in proportion to the weight, which can vary from 6 - 7.5kg (13 1/2 - 161/2 lb).

COAT
The Cairn Terrier - like the West Highland Terrier - has a double-layered coat, of which the topcoat is hard and abundant, and the under­coat is soft and short. The hair may not curl. Permitted colours are grey, wheaten, cream-red, or almost black. Darker markings on the ears and muzzle are highly regarded. Cairns may not be white or totally black.

CARE REQUIRED
The coat needs regular grooming with a brush and comb. About twice per year - depending upon the condition of the hair - the dead hairs need to be plucked out by hand. This can be done by a trimming salon, but it is good to learn how to do it yourself. From time to time remove excess hair from the ear passages. A Cairn Terrier should have a rough appearance (described by some breed experts as looking like a road-sweeper's broom), and is therefore not excessively groomed for showing. For showing, any excessive hair around the feet, ears, and tail is removed.

CHARACTER
This is an intelligent, brave, cheerful, lively, playful and extrovert dog which is hard upon itself, uncomplicated, affectionate, eager to learn, alert and vigilant.

TRAINING
Teach this dog early to get on with cats and other household pets, so that it will not chase them when older. Puppies can take a game of pulling on a rope quite seriously. You must decide when the game is to end by giving it the command "drop it." The antics of puppies are often the cause of laughter but do not forget that the strokes the dog might pull as a puppy will be less amusing when it is grown up. The Cairn needs loving but also strict and consistent training.

SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
The Cairn Terrier makes a first-class friend for children; it can tolerate rough play and has a well-developed sense of humour. They can also get on reasonably well with other dogs, al­though some dogs of this breed will stand their ground. They go into action when they detect danger.

EXERCISE
This breed is bursting with energy and must get ample opportunity to run and play. It is an ideal dog for a sportive family. It likes to be taken for a walk in the woods or in open countryside where it can run free, but make sure before you do so that the dog will return to you when you call - the hunting instinct is so strong that they can take off.