There is nothing exaggerated or overdressed about the Cairns
appearance, and in the show ring he should look shaggy but not
shabby, rugged but not ragged and at home it takes little effort
to keep it looking the same.
Cairns were
bred and used originally to work among rocks and boulders, not
in flat country earth’s, though they will do so when called
upon. They were also kept on farms to get rid of vermin, hunt
hares, badgers, foxes, guard the family and their property. To
preserve the correct type it is essential to maintain the lithe,
wiry frame with enough length of leg and body to enable the
terrier to jump and scramble over rocks and to turn in tight
places. A compact body and strong loins are essential for
stamina and jumping ability, but the back must not bee too short
or stout, or the ability to turn in narrow places is lost.
A Cairn's
head is very individual to the breed. In full coat it should
give a general appearance of roundness when viewed from the
front, with dark sparkling eyes, hazel or brown, rather deep-
set and placed well apart beneath shaggy eyebrows. The ears are
set high on the outside of the skull , vertical on the outer but
sloping inwards on the inner edge. they should be small tightly
pricked and free of long hair. The Cairn has a small head but
the skull should be broad in proportion to the whole, the
foreface of equal length - not longer than the skull - with a
distinct but not exaggerated stop between the eyes. The jaw must
be strong furnished with large teeth, meeting in a scissors
bite.
Hair on the
head should be thick and profuse but not so long as to hide the
dog's expression. Here a little tidying is not objected to, the
art is to leave an expression of natural shagginess without too
much hair. Young Cairns often tend to look too long in the jaw
before the head is fully furnished, but this impression
disappears with maturity and growth of coat.
The body is
covered with a double coat. The top-coat is profuse, hard and
weather resistant, but not wiry. The undercoat an essential
feature that should not be overlooked, is soft, close and short
like fur.
The natural
manner in which Cairns are presented is carried on in the way
they are handled in the ring, usually on a loose lead with the
handler having some bait in hand or pocket. Cairns show
themselves looking brightly up at the handler and moving freely
without being strung up on a tight lead. It is not done to
'stack' a Cairn or to kneel down and hold it in position as in
some other terrier breeds.
Bitches are
often less keen to show off their points by not using their
tails as freely as the dogs and so are more difficult to judge,
but are still always shown naturally.
The whole
impression given by a typical Cairn is that of a keen
workmanlike but friendly gay terrier, well proportioned and
balanced, active and agile, well able to look after himself when
engaged in the work for which he was originally bred. Bitches
have a softer sweeter expression, but prettiness or lack of
substance are undesirable attributes in a typical Cairn of
either sex.
In character
the Cairn fits well into any kind of household suitable for a
dog. It is just as happy with a town family as living in the
country, provided it receives sufficient exercise and has a
garden in which to give vent to it's natural instincts. By
nature the breed is faithful, but with a decided streak of
independence a Cairn is self-reliant and will usually find
something to keep himself amused if nothing is provided. Good
swimmers, they love water and hunting given the chance this can
become a passion and a secure fence is a must for a breed with
the Cairns background and inborn love of sport. His sharp but
meaningful bark is an efficient deterrent to intruders.
Human
companionship is indispensable to the Cairn's happiness. He is
good with children and the ideal companion for those growing up
in the country, being always ready and eager for any kind of
activity that is on offer. He is sensible and kindly if treated
with respect.
|
Home
BREED
HISTORY BREED
STANDARD
IKC CODE OF ETHICS
