With a height at the withers of around 28 to 31 cm and an ideal weight of 6 to 7,5 kg, the Cairn Terrier is a small dog. Its head is small and its tail short. Both are proportionate to the body and well lined with hair. The color can be cream, wheaten, red, gray or almost black. The coat is a very important point. It must be double and weather resistant. The outer coat is very abundant, harsh without being coarse, while the undercoat is short, supple and tight.

The Cairn Terrier was born in the Western Isles of Scotland, where for centuries it has been used as a working dog. Its former name moreover better reflected its Scottish origins, since it was named the “Shorthaired Skye Terrier” after the eponymous island in the Inner Hebrides west of Scotland.

Scottish terrier dogs have common origins and have been used primarily by shepherds, but also by farmers, to control the proliferation of foxes, rats and rabbits. It was not until the mid-1910th century that the breeds split up and were distinguished from Scottish terriers and West Highland White Terriers. It was not until much later, in XNUMX, that the breed was first recognized in England and the Cairn Terrier Club was born under the leadership of Mrs. Campbell of Ardrishaig.

The Fédération Cynologique Internationale describes him as a dog that “must give the impression of being active, lively and rustic. Intrepid and playful by nature; confident, but not aggressive.

Overall he is a lively and intelligent dog.

The Cairn Terrier is a strong and naturally healthy dog. According to the 2014 Kennel Club Purebred Dog Health Survey in the UK, the Cairn Terrier’s life expectancy can be up to 16 years with an average of just over 11 years. Still according to the Kennel Club study, the leading causes of death or euthanasia are liver tumors and old age. Like other purebred dogs, he can also be subject to hereditary diseases, the most common of which are medial patella dislocation, craniomandibular osteopathy, portosystemic shunt and testicular ectopia. (3 -4)

Portosystemic shunts

The portosystemic shunt is an inherited abnormality of the portal vein (the one that brings blood to the liver). In the case of a shunt, there is a connection between the portal vein and the so-called “systemic” circulation. In this case, some of the blood does not reach the liver and is therefore not filtered. Toxins such as ammonia for example, can then accumulate in the blood and poison the dog. (5 – 7)

The diagnosis is made in particular by a blood test which reveals high levels of liver enzymes, bile acids and ammonia. However, the shunt can only be found with the use of advanced techniques such as scintigraphy, ultrasound, portography, medical resonance imaging (MRI), or even exploratory surgery.

For many dogs, treatment will consist of diet control and medication to manage the body’s production of toxins. In particular, it is necessary to limit protein intake and administer a laxative and antibiotics. If the dog responds well to drug treatment, surgery may be considered to attempt the shunt and redirect blood flow to the liver. The prognosis for this disease is still quite bleak. (5 – 7)

Medial patella dislocation

Medial dislocation of the patella is a common orthopedic condition and the origin of which is most often congenital. In affected dogs, the kneecap does not position properly in the trochlea. This causes gait disorders that can appear very early in puppies 2 to 4 months old. Diagnosis is made by palpation and radiography. Treatment by surgery may have a good prognosis depending on the age of the dog and the stage of the disease. (4)

Cranio-mandibular osteopathy

Craniomandibular osteopathy affects the flat bones of the skull, in particular the mandible and the temporomandibular joint (lower jaw). It is an abnormal bone proliferation that appears around the age of 5 to 8 months and causes chewing disorders and pain when opening the jaw.

The first signs are hyperthermia, a deformation of the mandible and its an indication for the diagnosis which is made by radiography and histological examination. It is a serious pathology which can lead to death from anorexia. Fortunately, the course of the disease ceases spontaneously at the end of growth. In some cases, surgery may also be necessary and the prognosis is variable depending on the extent of the bone damage.

Testicular ectopy

Testicular ectopy is an abnormality in the position of one or both testicles, which should be in the scrotum by the age of 10 weeks. Diagnosis is based on inspection and palpation. Treatment may be hormonal to stimulate testicular descent, but surgery may also be necessary. The prognosis is usually good if the ectopia is not associated with the development of a testicular tumor.

Cairns terriers are very active dogs and therefore need a daily walk. A fun activity will also meet some of their exercise needs, but play cannot replace their need to walk. Keep in mind that dogs that do not enjoy daily walks are more likely to develop behavior problems.