|
| First Dog | Dog Care | Dog Training | Dog Feeding | Dog Health | Dog Breeding | Dog Showing | OutDoor Dogs | Working Dogs | Careers with Dogs | Forum | Pet Links | Site Map | Home | |
CAIRN TERRIER |
|||||||
|
Additonal Breeds Starting With Letter:
Pet Sites
 |
The Cairn is
a native of the western highlands of Scotland as well as the Isle of Skye,
part of the Hebrides Islands, north of Scotland. The breed owes its name
and its existence to the pile of rocks erected to identify a boundary
or mark a grave. These cairns became favorite hiding places for foxes
and other pests, A small but game terrier was needed to go into the cairns
and rout out the vermin. The lairds of Scotland kept packs of the tousy
terriers for hunting and extermination purposes.
This breed's
history is parallel to that of the Skye, the West Highland White and the
Scottish Terriers and goes back about 500 years. From a large variety
of types in various locales, four distinct breeds slowly emerged: the
Cairn, Skye, Westie and Scottie. When the Cairns were first exhibited
in 1909, they were called Short-haired Skyes. This produced a howl from
the Skye fanciers, resulting in the name Cairn.
Bursting with
energy and a joy of life, the Cairn is independent in nature and intently
curious, requiring firm instructions. Their terrier nature implores
them to dig—whether in a burrow or a flower bed makes no difference
to them.
The Cairn
has been a neat, compact, cheerful and alert companion since the 1500s.
These attributes have made them the favorite terrier in Great Britain,
bringing them the honor of being called "the best little pal in
the world" by the British Cairn Terrier Club. They reached American
shores in 1913, where they have enjoyed a sensible middle-of-the-road
status. The breed's sturdiness serves them in good stead as a child's
dog.
The short
muzzle and erect ears give the breed a keen expression. Its moderately
short tail is carried gaily. Ring presentation calls for some "tidying
up," since the Cairn's shaggy coat gives the dog a tousled appearance,
much like "Toto" in The Wizard ofOz.
|
