Of all the terrier breeds of Scotland the Cairn has been the
least affected by becoming a show dog all through the breeds
history since it was officially recognised as separate breed by
the Kennel Club in 1912, its fanciers have resisted all attempts
to change it or allow it to be trimmed in a formal or stylized
fashion. By a curios twist of fate and despite the fact that it
is almost certainly the closest in type to the original Highland
terrier that was to found from time immemorial all over the
Highlands & Islands of West of Scotland the Cairn was the
Last of them all to receive official recognition. It is known
that these "earth dogs" were recorded in Argyllshire
in the sixteenth Century. Much of the early history of the Cairn
Terrier like that of the Skye Terrier centers on the Island of
Skye. in fact both breeds claim that their roots lie with the
same families & estates, Drynock, Roseneath and mogstads,
and Roseneath features prominently in early West Highland White
Terriers. But most modern Cairns descended from the lines based
on Skye.
In the
struggle for recognition of the breed with the Kennel Club much
acrimonious correspondence and many meetings were held between
the parties involved namely Skye, Scottish and West Highland
devotees. Failing to satisfy all parties the Kennel Club ruled
that each variety be given a separate name and a separate
register, but it was not until twelve years after the
recognition of the Cairn Terrier in 1924, that it was finally
ruled that cross - breeding between Cairn's and West Highland
White Terrier's be disallowed up to this time white puppies in
Cairn litters could be registered as West Highland White
Terriers and coloured puppies in Westie litters as Cairns.
In 1914 there
were seven classes with C.C's at Cruft's & sixty four
entries. The breed was on it's way to worldwide popularity.
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