They can be feisty with other dogs, and deadly with small pets and errant rodents. On the other hand, cairn terriers are an excellent choice for families who want a playful, cheerful pet always up for a game of fetch or a brisk walk around the neighborhood.
Cairn terriers are active dogs that should be given the opportunity to romp and play, but they do not need great amounts of space to obtain the needed exercise. Walks on a leash, in-house play sessions or runs in a fenced-in backyard will suffice.
Their coat sheds little and although it requires regular brushing and trimming, it is not difficult to care for. The Cairn terrier may have existed as long ago as the 16th century, helping to control vermin on the Isle of Skye.
Their specialty was in bolting quarry, particularly otters, from heaps of stone known as cairns. The breed is related to the Scottish and West Highland white terriers, and crosses with Westies occurred as recently as the s. Today, the Cairn terrier is an excellent all-around family pet and show dog. Select Your Region. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram Youtube. As used herein, denotes registered trademark status in the U.
Your use of this site is subject to the terms of our Legal Statement. About our Ads. Cookie Consent Tool. Belgium - Belgique. Brazil - Brasil. Canada English. Costa Rica. Croatia - Hrvatska.
Denmark - Danmark. Finland - Suomi. France - France. Germany - Deutschland. Unfortunately, your Cairn Terrier is more likely than other dogs to have problems with her teeth. Dental disease starts with tartar build-up on the teeth and progresses to infection of the gums and roots of the teeth.
In fact, your Cairn Terrier's lifespan may even be cut short by one to three years! Cairn Terriers are susceptible to bacterial and viral infections—the same ones that all dogs can get—such as parvo, rabies, and distemper. Many of these infections are preventable through vaccination , which we will recommend based on her age, the diseases we see in our area, and other factors.
Obesity can be a significant health problem in Cairn Terriers. It is a serious disease that may cause or worsen joint problems, metabolic and digestive disorders, back pain, and heart disease. Instead, give her a hug, brush her fur or teeth, play a game with her, or perhaps take her for a walk. All kinds of worms and bugs can invade your Cairn's body, inside and out. Everything from fleas and ticks to ear mites can infest her skin and ears.
Hookworms, roundworms, heartworms , and whipworms can get into her system in a number of ways: drinking unclean water, walking on contaminated soil, or being bitten by an infected mosquito. Some of these parasites can be transmitted to you or a family member and are a serious concern for everyone. One of the best things you can do for your Cairn is to have her spayed neutered for males.
In females, this means we surgically remove the ovaries and usually the uterus, and in males, it means we surgically remove the testicles.
Spaying or neutering decreases the likelihood of certain types of cancers and eliminates the possibility of your pet becoming pregnant or fathering unwanted puppies. Performing this surgery also gives us a chance, while your pet is under anesthesia, to identify and address some of the diseases your dog is likely to develop. Routine blood testing prior to surgery also helps us to identify and take precautions against common problems that increase anesthetic or surgical risk.
Your Cairn is more likely than other dogs to have a liver disorder called portosystemic shunt PSS. Some of the blood supply that should go to the liver goes around it instead, depriving the liver of the blood flow it needs to grow and function properly.
If your friend has PSS, his liver cannot remove toxins from his bloodstream effectively. Surgery may be needed, but in some cases, we can treat with a special diet and medication. Not many things have as dramatic an impact on your dog's quality of life as the proper functioning of his eyes. Unfortunately, Cairn Terriers can inherit or develop a number of different eye conditions, some of which may cause blindness if not treated right away, and most of which can be extremely painful!
We will evaluate his eyes at every examination to look for any signs for concern. Diabetes mellitus is a fairly common disease in dogs.
Any breed can be affected, but Cairns have an above average incidence. Dogs with diabetes are unable to regulate the metabolism of sugars in their bodies and require daily insulin injections.
Diabetes is a serious condition and one that is important to diagnose and treat as early as possible. Symptoms include increased eating, drinking, and urination, along with weight loss. If he shows signs, we will conduct lab tests to determine if he has this condition and discuss treatment options with you.
Treatment requires a serious commitment of time and resources. Well-regulated diabetic dogs today have the same life expectancy as other canines. Sometimes your Cairn's kneecap patella may slip out of place This is called patellar luxation.
You might notice that your pet, while running, suddenly picks up a back leg or skips and hops for a few strides. He might then kick his leg out sideways to pop the kneecap back in place.
These are common signs of patellar luxation. If the problem is mild and involves only one leg, your friend may not require much treatment beyond arthritis medication. When symptoms are severe, surgery may be needed to realign the kneecap to keep it from luxating further. Pyruvate kinase deficiency is a genetic disease that causes the red blood cells to develop abnormally. Affected Cairns will be anemic, causing pale gums, exercise intolerance, and liver and spleen enlargement.
Sadly, there is no cure and most dogs with this disease die by four years of age. There is a DNA test available to identify the disease in young puppies or for pet parents interested in breeding. There are several types of inherited bleeding disorders that occur in dogs. They range in severity from very mild to very severe. Many times a pet seems normal until a serious injury occurs or surgery is performed, and then severe bleeding can result. Cairns are particularly prone to some relatively rare diseases of the blood.
In humans, allergies to pollen, mold, or dust make people sneeze. In dogs, rather than sneezing, allergies make their skin itchy. The feet, belly, folds of the skin, and ears are most commonly affected. Symptoms typically start between the ages of one and three and can get worse every year. Licking the paws, rubbing the face, and frequent ear infections are the most common signs of allergies.
The good news is that there are many treatment options available for these conditions. Cancer is a leading cause of death in older dogs. Brush several times a week, being gentle with the soft undercoat. Once a month, bathe the dog and brush the coat while it dries. Trim around the eyes and ears with blunt-nosed scissors and clip the nails regularly. The Cairn sheds little to no hair. The Cairn Terrier originated in the s, in the Highlands of Scotland and the Isle of Skye and is one of Scotland's original terriers.
At one point it was considered the same breed as the Scottish Terrier and the West Highland White Terrier up until the s when the breeds began to be bred separately. The Cairn is also said to be related to the Skye Terrier. The Cairn was named for the way it would squeeze down into "cairns" and bark at fox and badgers until the farmer could arrive to kill them. The breed was first publicly presented in and became popular after the s. It was first recognized by the AKC in Scottie the Cairn Terrier at about 3 years old— "Scottie was rescued as the car in front of us slowed down and dumped him on a back road.
He was a mess and skin an bones. I have been fostering him and got him back in good health. He will soon go to his new forever home. He is very smart, loyal and a relaxed little guy who knows when to play and when to take it easy. He is a great kid!
My best foster dog yet. Congrats Scottie on your new home!! Scottie the Cairn Terrier at about 3 years old wearing a dog belly band. It was hard enough getting her to stay still long enough to get just this picture. Bonnie the black-brindle Cairn Terrier at 3 years old— "I bought Bonnie from a breeder when she was a week-old puppy.
She is very intelligent an ornery.
0コメント