Pets Australia — October-November 2017

http://www.petsmagazine.com.au 83

suitable for an elderly person, where an older

and more settled dog may fi t the bill,” he says.

“In general, though, Cairn Terriers are suitable

for those who are willing to spend time with

them, exercise them regularly and put a little

eff ort into maintaining their coat.”

John recommends the breed to families

with young children, as he believes the active

and outgoing nature of the Cairn Terrier lends

itself ideally to a family situation. Remember

that young children will need to be supervised

when playing with any dog, and the Cairn is

no exception.

ENJOYS HUMAN

COMPANIONSHIP

Jill Saulbrey, former president of the Victorian

Cairn Terrier Club, also emphasises that the

Cairn is very adaptable, but defi nitely needs

companionship and company. The Cairn will

generally get along with most people and

family members in the household, but will

bond closely with one particular person.

John points out that most Terriers have a mind

of their own. He says they are generally obedient

and do well at obedience trials, but if you want a

dog that will obey every command at your will,

the Cairn may not be your ideal choice.

Like John, many Cairn enthusiasts are attracted

to the rugged and natural look of the breed, its

size and, of course, its active, outgoing nature.

Taking into account the Cairn’s hardy and

innate digging qualities, a secure backyard

is imperative or you run the risk of your dog

wandering off and, due the breed’s impulsive

nature, being hit by a car.

The Cairn is an active dog and though a

good-sized backyard may be suffi cient to keep

your dog occupied, it is always advisable to

spend quality time walking and playing. This

will keep your dog from becoming bored and

destructive, keep both of you fi t, and strengthen

those human–canine bonds at the same time.

CAUTION FOR LIVER DISEASE

Although the Cairn is relatively free of major

genetic diseases, John lists several conditions

that prospective owners should look out for

in the breed.

There have been occasional cases of

undescended testicles and slipping patellas.

Several liver-shunt cases have been recorded,

which can be lethal if not detected early

and treated.

According to Jill, a very small percentage

of Cairns develop liver shunt but a simple and

inexpensive test can be done before the puppy

leaves for its new home. This is important to

ensure the dog’s liver is functioning properly, and

many conscientious breeders are now starting to

test for liver disease in their stock to ensure the

future longevity and health of the breed.

John stresses that the test is a small price to

pay for peace of mind and an important factor

to think about before purchasing your dog.

COAT CARE

Grooming the Cairn need not be a very time-

consuming activity. If your dog has a coat of the

correct texture, grooming should be fairly easy.

Because it is a double-coated breed, brushing

the coat and combing through once or twice

a week is recommended to prevent it knotting

and to keep the coat healthy. The breed

sheds once or twice a year and if you’ve been

maintaining the brushing and combing, enough

coat will have been removed to keep it tidy, but

it may be necessary to have the dog stripped.

Creature feature | PETS

Grooming:

Exercise:

Size: Small

Lifespan: 12–15 years

At a Glance

For more information on the Cairn

Terrier or to contact a local breed club,

visit your state canine council website via

ankc.org.au New Zealand readers can

visit nzkc.org.nz for information.

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