Cairn Terrier
{{Short description|Scottish dog breed}}
{{more citations needed|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox dog breed
| name = Cairn Terrier
| image = Cairn-Terrier-Garten1.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption =
| image2 =
| image_alt2 =
| image_caption2 =
| altname =
| stock =
| country = Scotland
| distribution =
| height = {{right|{{convert|28|-|31|cm|0|abbr=on}}{{r|fci2|kc}}}}
| maleheight =
| femaleheight =
| weight = {{right|{{convert|6|-|7.5|kg|0|abbr=on}}{{r|fci2|kc}}}}
| maleweight =
| femaleweight =
| coat = abundant shaggy outer coat, soft downy undercoat
| colour = cream, deep red, brindle, light grey, apricot or black
| litter_size =
| kc_name = The Kennel Club
| kc_std = https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/breed-standards/terrier/cairn-terrier/
| fcistd = http://www.fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/004g03-en.pdf
| notrecognised =
| extinct =
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}}
The Cairn Terrier is a terrier breed originating in the Scottish Highlands and recognised as one of Scotland's earliest working dogs.
The name "Cairn Terrier" was a compromise suggestion when the breed was brought to official shows in the United Kingdom in 1909, initially under the name "Short-haired Skye terrier". This name was not accepted by the Kennel Club when faced with opposition from breeders of the Skye Terrier. The alternative name Cairn Terrier was adopted.
History
Cairn terriers originated in the Scottish Highlands and the Isle of Skye.{{cite web|title=Cairn Terrier History|url=https://www.akc.org/breeds/cairn_terrier/history.cfm|publisher=American Kennel Club|access-date = 26 October 2014 }} Prior to 1873, terriers in Scotland were collectively referred to as 'Scottish Terriers'.{{cite web|title=History of the Cairn Terrier|url=https://www.cairnterrierclub.ca/cairn-terriers/cairn-terrier-history/|publisher=Kennel Club of Canada|access-date = 30 August 2024 }} In the early days of the breed's establishment, the name 'short haired Skye Terrier' was used.{{cite web|title=Cairn Terrier| url=https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/search/breeds-a-to-z/breeds/terrier/cairn-terrier/|publisher=The Kennel Club|access-date = 30 August 2024 }}{{cite web|title=About the Cairn Terrier|url=https://www.cairnterrier.org/about-the-cairn-terrier/cairn-history|publisher=Cairn Terrier Club of America|access-date = 30 August 2024 }} After concerns raised by the Skye Terrier Club, the name 'Cairn Terrier' was given to the breed instead. The name 'Cairn Terrier' comes from cairns, where the terriers often flushed out vermin.{{cite web|title=7 Facts about the Cairn Terrier|url=https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/7-facts-cairn-terrier/|publisher=7 Facts about the Cairn Terrier|access-date = 30 August 2024 }}
The Cairn Terrier was registered into the American Kennel Club in 1903.{{cn|date=February 2025}} The Kennel Club of the United Kingdom gave the Cairn Terrier a separate register in 1912; the first year of recognition, 134 were registered, and the breed was given Championship status.{{Cite web|url=http://www.swwectc.freeuk.com/cairnhis.html|title=swwectc- cairn history|website=www.swwectc.freeuk.com|access-date=2016-11-26|archive-date=2018-10-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018051447/http://www.swwectc.freeuk.com/cairnhis.html|url-status=dead}} While registration of white Cairns was once permitted, after 1917, the American Kennel Club required them to be registered as West Highland White Terriers. The dog was definitively accepted by the Fédération Cynologique Internationalein 1963.{{r|fci}}
Description
The Cairn Terrier has a harsh, weather-resistant outer coat that can be black, cream, wheaten, red, sandy, gray, or brindled. Pure black, black and tan, and white are not permitted by many kennel clubs. A notable characteristic of Cairns is that brindled Cairns frequently change colour throughout their lifetimes. It is not uncommon for a brindled Cairn to become progressively more black or silver as it ages. The Cairn is double-coated, with a soft, dense undercoat and a harsh outer coat. A well-groomed Cairn has a rough-and-ready appearance.
Cairn Terriers tend to look similar to Norwich Terriers, but with some differences (for example the shaggy fur). The outer layer of fur is shaggy, but they have a soft, downy undercoat. The ideal height is roughly {{val|28|–|31|u=cm}}, with weight in proportion, usually some {{val|6|–|7.5|u=kg}}.{{r|fci2|kc}}
File:Cairn Terrier - 002.jpg|Brindle
File:Керн терьер (cairn terrier).jpg|Red/wheaten
File:Cairn Terrier - 001.jpg|
File:9 week old cairn puppy.jpg|A nine-week-old puppy
Health
A 2015 French study found a life expectancy of 13.42 years.{{Cite journal | doi = 10.1016/j.tvjl.2014.11.008| title = Inbreeding impact on litter size and survival in selected canine breeds| journal = The Veterinary Journal| volume = 203| issue = 1| pages = 74–8| year = 2015| last1 = Leroy | first1 = G. G. | last2 = Phocas | first2 = F. | last3 = Hedan | first3 = B. | last4 = Verrier | first4 = E. | last5 = Rognon | first5 = X. | pmid=25475165| s2cid = 27631883| url = https://hal-univ-rennes1.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01122782/file/Inbreeding%20impact%20on%20litter%20size_accepted.pdf }} mean=12.23 ± 4.18 median=13.42 A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 14 years for the breed compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 for crossbreeds.{{cite journal | last=McMillan | first=Kirsten M. | last2=Bielby | first2=Jon | last3=Williams | first3=Carys L. | last4=Upjohn | first4=Melissa M. | last5=Casey | first5=Rachel A. | last6=Christley | first6=Robert M. | title=Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death | journal=Scientific Reports | publisher=Springer Science and Business Media LLC | volume=14 | issue=1 | date=2024-02-01 | issn=2045-2322 | doi=10.1038/s41598-023-50458-w | page=| pmc=10834484 }}
Some of the more common hereditary health problems found in the Cairn are:{{cite web|url=http://cairnterrier.org/health/|title=Health Related Concerns|publisher=Cairn Terrier Club of America Inc.|access-date=12 May 2010|archive-date=7 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100507211604/http://www.cairnterrier.org/health/|url-status=dead}}{{Cite book|title=Breed predispositions to disease in dogs and cats|last=Alex.|first=Gough|date=2004|publisher=Blackwell Pub|others=Thomas, Alison, 1964–|isbn=978-1405107488|location=Oxford, UK|oclc=53231203}}
- Bronchoesophageal fistula
- Cataracts
- Corneal dystrophy
- Craniomandibular osteopathy (lion jaw)
- Diabetes mellitus
- Entropion
- Hip dysplasia
- Hypothyroidism
- Krabbe disease (globoid cell leukodystrophy)
- Legg–Calvé–Perthes disease
- Lens luxation
- Luxating patella
- Ocular melanosis
- Portosystemic shunt
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Soft-tissue sarcoma
- Von Willebrand disease
The breed is predisposed to atopic dermatitis.{{cite book | last=Rhodes | first=Karen Helton | last2=Werner | first2=Alexander H. | title=Blackwell's Five-Minute Veterinary Consult Clinical Companion | publisher=Wiley-Blackwell | publication-place=Ames, Iowa | date=2011-01-25 | isbn=978-0-8138-1596-1 | page=94}}
References
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{{Terriers}}
{{Scottish dogs}}
{{Scottish animal breeds}}