your area who enjoy a good reputation in the breed. You are looking for an established breeder with outstanding dog ethics and a strong commitment to the breed. New owners should have as many questions as they have doubts. An established breeder is indeed the one to answer your four million questions and make you comfortable with your choice of the Cairn Terrier. An established breeder will sell you a puppy at a fair price if, and only if, the breeder determines that you are a suitable, worthy owner of his dogs. An established breeder can be relied upon for advice, no matter what time of day or night. A reputable breeder will accept a puppy back, without questions, should you decide that this not the right dog for you.
A Cairn Terrier and an Irish Wolfhound. The choice between these two breeds is much simpler than choosing between breeds that are closely related like Scottish Terriers, West Highland White Terriers and Skye Terriers, all of whom are closely associated with the development of the Cairn.
When choosing a breeder, reputation is much more important than convenience of location. Do not be impressed by breeders who run brag advertisements in the presses about their stupendous champions and top producers. The real quality breeders are quiet and unassuming. You hear about them at the dog shows and trials, by word of mouth. You may be well advised to avoid the novice who lives only a few miles away. The local novice breeder, trying so hard to get rid of that first litter of puppies, is more than accommodating and anxious to sell you one. That breeder will charge you as much as any established breeder. The novice breeder isn’t going to interrogate you and your family about your intentions with the puppy, the environment and training you can provide, etc. That breeder will be nowhere to be found when your poorly bred, badly adjusted four-pawed monster starts to growl and spit up at midnight or eat the family cat!
Observing the temperament and behavior of the dam tells volumes about the puppy’s future.
While health considerations in the Cairn Terrier are not nearly as daunting as in most other breeds, socialization is always of immense importance. While personality within a breed should be rather consistent, temperament can vary from line to line and socialization is the first and best way to encourage a proper, stable personality.
Choosing a breeder is an important first step in dog ownership. Fortunately, the majority of Cairn Terrier breeders are devoted to the breed and its well-being. New owners should have little problem finding a reputable breeder who doesn’t live on the other side of the country (or in a different country). The American Kennel Club (AKC) is able to recommend breeders of quality Cairn Terriers, as can any local all-breed club or Cairn Terrier club. Potential owners are encouraged to attend dog shows to see the Cairn Terriers in action, to meet the handlers firsthand and to get an idea of what Cairn Terriers look like outside a photographer’s lens. Provided you approach the handlers when they are not terribly busy with the dogs, most are more than willing to answer questions, recommend breeders and give advice.
ARE YOU PREPARED?
Unfortunately, when a puppy is bought by someone who does not take into consideration the time and attention that dog ownership requires, it is the puppy who suffers when he is either abandoned or placed in a shelter by a frustrated owner. So all of the “homework” you do in preparation for your pup’s arrival will benefit you both. The more informed you are, the more you will know what to expect and the better equipped you will be to handle the ups and downs of raising a puppy. Hopefully, everyone in the household is willing to do his part in raising and caring for the pup. The anticipation of owning a dog often brings a lot of promises from excited family members: “I will walk him every day,” “I will feed him,” “I will house-train him,” etc., but these things take time and effort, and promises can easily be forgotten once the novelty of the new pet has worn off.
This Cairn puppy won first prize.
Now that you have contacted and met a breeder or two and made your choice about which breeder is best suited to your needs, it’s time to visit the litter. Keep in mind that many top breeders have waiting lists. Sometimes new owners have to wait as long as two years for a puppy. If you are really committed to the breeder whom you’ve selected, then you will wait (and hope for an early arrival!). If not, you may have to resort to your second- or third-choice breeder. Don’t be too anxious, however. If the breeder doesn’t have any waiting list, or any customers, there is probably a good reason.
PUPPY APPEARANCE
Your puppy should have a well-fed appearance but not a distended abdomen, which may indicate worms or incorrect feeding, or both. The body should be firm, with a solid feel. The skin of the abdomen should be pale pink and clean, without signs of scratching or rash. Check the hind legs to make certain that dewclaws were removed, if any were present at birth.
Visit dog shows to see the Cairns up close and to meet the breeders and exhibitors.
Since you are likely to be choosing a Cairn Terrier as a pet dog and not a show dog, you simply should select a pup that is friendly and attractive. Cairn Terriers generally have small litters, averaging five puppies, so selection is limited once you have located a desirable litter. While the basic structure of the breed has little variation, the temperament may present trouble in certain strains. Beware of the shy or overly aggressive puppy, be especially conscious of the nervous Cairn Terrier pup. Don’t let sentiment or emotion trap you into buying the runt of the litter.
The gender of your puppy is largely a matter of personal taste, especially when choosing a pet, since you will not be breeding the dog. Regardless of gender, all Cairn pups should be lively and alert. In Cairn Terriers, the difference in size is noticeable but slight, males being larger.
When visiting a dog show, approach the handlers after they have completed their work in the ring. Many will be happy to talk to you about their breed.
TEMPERAMENT COUNTS
Your selection of a good puppy can be determined by your needs. A show potential or a good pet? It is your choice. Every puppy, however, should be of good temperament. Although show-quality puppies are bred and raised with emphasis on physical conformation, responsible breeders strive for equally good temperament. Do not buy from a breeder who concentrates solely on physical beauty at the expense of personality.
Breeders commonly allow visitors to see the litter by around the fifth or sixth week, and puppies leave for their new homes between the eighth and tenth week. Breeders who permit their puppies to leave early are more interested in your money than their puppies’ well-being. Puppies need to learn the rules of the trade from their dam, and most dams continue teaching the pups manners and dos and don’ts until around the eighth week. Breeders spend significant amounts of time with the Cairn Terrier toddlers so that they are able to interact with the “other species,” i.e., humans. Given the long history that dogs and humans have, bonding between the two species is natural but must be nurtured. A well-bred, well-socialized Cairn Terrier pup wants nothing more than to be near you and please you.
PEDIGREE VS. REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE
Too often new owners are confused between these two important documents. Your puppy’s pedigree, essentially a family tree, is a written record of a dog’s genealogy of three generations or more. The pedigree will show you the names as well as performance titles of all dogs in your pup’s background. Your breeder must provide you with a registration