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OPC
{ Cairn Terrier }
Biography//
KC Group: Terrier
Size: Small
Good with children?: Yes
Exercise requirement: Moderate
Good guard dogs?: Would bark
Moulting level: Low
Grooming: Moderate
Jogging partner: Short runs
The most famous example of a Cairn Terrier is Dorothy's dog Toto in the Wizard of Oz. They're lively and confident but not aggressive, making them ideal family pets. They enjoy a good game of rough and tumble so make sure you introduce them to any other pets at home from an early age as later in life, they may give chase.
Character//
Their happy-go-lucky personalities make the Cairn a wonderful family dog. They are a sporting terrier though so can be very inquisitive and are always on the go. Their independence and stubbornness means you must be firm with training.
Size//
The Breed Standards say ideally Cairn Terriers should stand between 28-31cm at the withers. Their height should be in proportion to their weight, ideally 6-7.5kg.
Health//
There are cases of patella luxation in the breed's history but buying from a reputable breeder that has their litters checked should eliminate possible flaws. Legg Perthes, a malformation in the hip, can also be a problem as it causes lameness. Also, Lion Jaw which causes the terrier difficulty when opening and closing their jaw and eating, can sometimes become noticeable as a puppy reaches 3-4 months of age. Hereditary eye problems are something to be aware of too. Cairn terriers can often live to 15 years of age
Special Care//
Although they're easy to feed, be careful not to let them get overweight.
Remember! All breed profiles are general and every dog is an individual.