Cairn Terrier
The Cairn terrier a Scottish highlander dog known for hunting and chasing quarry. It is an active-playful kind of a breed that needs a daily walk in a open area preferably a fenced lawn or a yard.
Breed Profile
Height
9 – 13
Inches
Weight
10 – 16
Pounds
Life Span
12 – 17
Years
Health
health
Cataracts
What is it?:
It is the same as found in humans and refer to opacity in the lens of the eye. They are usually caused by genetics but can also occur after a certain age due to some diseases. They can also lead to blindness
Clinical signs
Confusion or clumsiness, especially in new settings
A change of color to the pupil, usually from black to a blue-white or cream-white color
A reluctance to jump onto furniture or into the car
Redness to the white of the eye, or around the eyelids
Rubbing at and scratching the eyes
Squinting or repeated blinking
Treatment
Treatment may require surgery. Regular prescribed eye drops may be needed in some cases if one is trying to avoid surgery.
Eligible vet bill
$3,000
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://www.spotpetinsurance.ca/sample-policy for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
health
Luxating Patellas
What is it?:
Patellar luxation is a condition where the kneecap (patella) slips out of the groove in which it normally rides up and down. It could be slipped medially, which is towards the opposite leg, as opposed to laterally, which would be away from the dog.
Clinical signs
Skipping or hoping for a few strides while running and kicking the leg frequently to put the kneecap back in place.
Treatment
If it is a mild condition of luxating patellas, common arthritis medicine would work. But, if the problem is severe then a re-alignment surgery would be needed
Eligible vet bill
$2,500
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://www.spotpetinsurance.ca/sample-policy for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
Personality
Bold and Fearless
Despite its smaller stature, cairns given their hunting history are known for attacking small animals like cats and sometimes even larger dogs
Lively
Cairns are not the ones sitting around in one place. They are quite active and love to wander around, play games and be involved in activities like digging
Affectionate
Your cairn would love to play with your children and show them new tricks. It has a friendly personality so don’t worry while having a house party or a family get together
Lifetime Care
Coat
Cairn terriers have a special double coat. A harsh weather-resistant outer coat of fur coupled with a soft undercoat
Colors
You can find a cairn in black, cream, wheaten, brindle, grey, red amongst other colors
Hypoallergenic
Yes
Grooming
A basic coat care which includes brushing a couple of times a week with a good pin brush would suffice
Training
Cairns are genetically hunters which bring in a sense of independence in them. So, although very active, they may not be very easy to train
Known as a working dog, the Cairn terrier finds its origin in the Isle of Skye in Scotland. Originally, they were used by farmers to keep their land vermin free and the bold, fearless, courageous nature of the cairns just fit into the job description
Cairn Terrier Dog: Introduction to the Breed
Thinking of adding a member to your family in the form of a dog? It becomes very necessary as a pet parent to first research about the pet thoroughly before adopting as every dog has its own characteristics, needs and costs. Here are a few things you need to know about the Cairn Terrier breed.
Carin Terrier Dogs are generally:
Sensible and independent
Family and children friendly
Aggressive and fearless
Weather adaptive
Diggers and barkers
Cairns are best suited for –
First time dog owners
Active pet parents who like to spend a lot of time with their pet
Families with kids and/or other pets
What should your Cairn terrier dog eat?
As a human hunter would require a well nourished diet in order to support the energy level requirements, so does a Cairn terrier. The ideal frequency would be twice a day and the calorie requirements are about 450-550 per day. The ideal diet for them should be
High in protein (25% in daily diet)
Low in carbohydrates
Moderate in fats
The food list can include
Oats and Vegetables
Dry or wet dog food
Fruits like apples, blueberries, watermelons
What should your Cairn terrier dog NOT eat?
The items not to include in its diet include
Things to watch-out before deciding to own a Cairn terrier
Although this breed scores highly on a human-friendliness matric there might be some pointers that you might want to check-out before bringing it home to your family
They can be very bossy around other pets. So, don’t be surprised if you take him for a walk and there are barks at every passing dog
Given their hunting nature, they will chase anything that moves
They can be stubborn. So, it demands that you show that you are in charge at regular intervals
They are very possessive of their food and toys
They can’t be left alone in the house for a long time. If you are looking for a silent passive dog, a cairn terrier is not for you. They do not enjoy being left alone and require constant attention
Conclusion
Dream of getting yourself a lion’s cub as a pet? A cairn terrier can very well fulfill the dream of yours. Playful, affectionate, friendly and at the same time fearless and raging like a boss is all a package included in a cairn terrier. A wonderful companion for you and your kids if they like to be very active and play around all day.