The Isle of Skye located in Scotland has been known to keep little hunting dog breeds for as long as 200 years. Some of these breeds are currently famous among canine enthusiasts by the names of Skye Terrier and West Highland Terriers. From these breeds, another small hunting terrier comes to exist and it is known around the world as the Cairn terrier, which is also the last of the Scottish Highlands terriers to be introduced to the kennel clubs.
The Cairn terrier remains as one of the oldest working breeds in Scotland. Decades back, this breed has been used as vermin catcher and would often vigorously dig out burrows underneath big rock piles, a place where rodents and other pests live in, in order to flush out pests. The rock piles are called cairn in Scotland and this is what the Cairn Terrier was named after.
In a glance, the Cairn terrier looks rugged and alert because of its shaggy coat and glistening intelligent eyes. Its standard size should range only from 14 to 18 pounds in weight and 10 to 13 inches in height but due to some irresponsible breeding, there are Cairns today that come out smaller or bigger than the standard size. The little size of the Cairns makes them suitable as pets because owners can just place them easily on the laps and at the same time they can make good vermin hunters inside the house.
The Cairn terrier has a double coat and its outer coat appears dense and shaggy while its inner coat is smooth and less messy. This dense coat also serves as a protection for the Cairn against harsh weathers of the region. The coat colors of the Cairn are often seen in either red, wheaten, gray and cream; and some are in brindles of black, white, and black and tan.
The coat color of this breed keeps changing until adulthood so you can never really state the exact color of the Cairn. Some colors may become lighter and there are some that become darker even to the point of becoming pure black. If there is a white colored Cairn, the American Kennel Club would list it as a West Highland White terrier.
Even then until today, the Cairn still manifests that same interest in hunting and digging out preys. Although these dogs are now mostly domesticated, you can still see them trying to hunt down rodents, rat, otters and other small games. Today, the Cairn is regarded as a household pet but its hunting skill is still as strong and excellent as before.
The Cairn terrier has a superb intelligence that is why it can be trained to do tasks and commands. However, this breed is also known to have an independent and stubborn spirit that's why trainings may take a while before fully accomplished. Take note, however, that even though the Cairn has a mischievous side to it, positive and gentle reinforcements should only be done in order to avoid hurting the feelings of this tiny lovable creature.
Today, the Cairn terrier can often be seen living amongst humans in small apartments or big households. It adapts well with children that's why many families opt for it as a family pet. It does not take too much to groom this dog as well for it only needs its coat to be hand stripped in order to keep it in shaggy style and keep the dead hair away at the same time.
- The Argentinean Big-Game Hunter Dog, The Dogo Argentino by Leonardo Robles The Dogo Argentino is a huge hunter breed that shows off a white coat and well-muscled body and which came from Argentina. This dog is also fondly called the Argentine Dogo and Argentinean Mastiff. Around the world, the Dogo Argentino is known as an outstanding big-game hunter......
- The Welsh Terrier Originally, Welsh terriers were bred for hunting rabbits, foxes and badgers, but public opinion and the decline in the lust for blood in general have gone against blood sports and so this native breed of Wales has become a show dog and a pet. Breeders try to outdo each......
- The Argentinean Big-Game Hunter Dog, The Dogo Argentino by Leonardo Robles The Dogo Argentino is a huge, white and well-muscled dog that, as the name suggests, originated in Argentina. It also goes by the names of Argentine Dogo and Argentinean Mastiff. This gigantic dog is popular as a big-game hunter as it hunts fierce and larger animals such......
- The Elegant English Setter As One of the Most Popular Gun Dogs by Ronald Bravo The English Setter is a gun dog that is popularly known for being an elegant and excellent game bird setter. It is in the same family with the Irish Red and White Setters, Irish Setters, and Gordon Setters, which are excellent hunting breeds as well. This dog......
- Fifth Edition of Your Pet Monthly: October Edition [/caption] Welcome to the October edition of your pet monthly! We have a lot of great posts this time and are especially heavy on pet stories. Take your time and glance through. Leave comments telling us what you liked best and where we can improve! Family and Pets: Patti......
- Should You Train Different Dogs Differently? [/caption]Most people who are new to something like dog training are quick to point out how "different" or "unique" their situation is, when really many of the problems they are facing might be quite common. If a dog training technique doesn't seem to be "working," it may be more of......
- Caring For Boston Terrier Puppies by Abhik Sarkar Those who have never run into Boston Terrier puppies are definitely missing out, they are bundles of humorous and curious energy bent on entertaining and adoring you. Boston Terriers are a very curious breed of toy dog from the non sporting AKC group. Standing anywhere from 15......
- For Google... Sometimes it's better to say nothing at all! For Google, The Meaning Of Open Is When It’s Convenient For Them "Google should just be honest and say that they think everything should be open—except for search and advertising" by Erick Schonfeld on December 22, 2009 Yesterday, Google published a long manifesto on the “meaning of open” in the......
