Thinking hard about getting a Cairn Terrier...

**wanderinggrandma** · 07-19-2007, 11:20 PM

I am a lover of big dogs, especially German Shepherds. I had to have Sara Screwloose, my 13 year old shepherd put down a couple of months ago. Man did DH and I cry like babies. Broke my heart--said never, ever again--no dogs--no more heart break. So now I'm ready to do it all again. BUT DH insists it is a small dog that can travel with us. Grand babies are on the East Coast, we live on West Coast. I go see them lots. Soooo our friend who breeds, trains and shows her cairns thinks it would be a good fit for our situation. We have cared for one of hers several times, longest was for 6 weeks. So we know what HE is like. Now before this becomes a book, here is my question--Have any of you owned a Cairn and would you do it again??? Personally that is the real test for me. I would have a GSD in a heartbeat if it could travel in the cabin of the plane with me and it didn't shed two wheelbarrows of hair every day.

So any Cairn owners out there??? Tell me the good, the bad and the ugly.

**rhkennerly** · 07-20-2007, 06:56 AM

We have three cairn. All alike, yet different in so many ways.

You might want to join the cairn rescue USA group at www[.]yahoogroups[.]com as well as check up on the breed at www[.]cairnterrier[.]org/meet/ (remove brackets)

Generally, it sounds like a cairn would be a good match for you. Terriers of all breed tend to be a different kind of dog--willful, cunning, stubborn, prey driven as well as loving and quite a bit of fun to be around. You've had terrier experience, so I think you get this part. They can be vocal. They need regular but not extensive exercise. Being visually prey driven, they're not good off leash dogs.

My one caveat for you is that we never place cairn in homes with children under about 8 yoa. This is for two reasons. 1. a 40 or 50 lb post-toddler falling on a 20 lb dog could really hurt the dog (who will probably hurt the child in return) and 2. the frenetic screaming and running play of a couple of 4 year olds can drive a prey driven dog like the cairn into a frenzy.

OTOH, we've heard from a lot of families who grew up with cairn and had no bad problems. At the least, I'd recommend a baby gate to separate the grandkids from the dog when an adult can't be there to supervise the play.

rick@mouseherder.com
virginia beach, va

PS, we went from GSDs to cairn, too. After our last GSD died, it was 10 years before we had another dog--it hurt too much to lose them. In retrospect, however, that is the biggest regret of my life. There are so many dogs out there that need you almost as much as you need them.

**JustJoy** · 07-20-2007, 07:33 AM

I've had a Cairn for 8 years now. He is extremely sweet and smart and eager to please, but he is also very demanding for attention and loves to bark (alot) at people walking by and anything and everything on wheels...including bikes, roller blades, etc. He also loves to run away from home whenever he gets the chance and he is not one to come home on his own. I have our phone # on his collar and thankfully everyone who has found him has called me to come get him.

Would I get another Cairn? Probably not.... only for the fact that he is sooo hyper...lol I do better with the more calm dogs....like hounds. I also have one of those

**bumplett** · 07-20-2007, 08:08 AM

now, you know I have to say this: PLEASE consider adopting a Cairn from a shelter or rescue group instead of purchasing from a breeder - you would save a life -

http://www.cairnrescueusa.com/
http://www.cairnterrier.org/rescue/
http://www.southwestcairnrescue.com/

good luck in whatever you decide

**frugalfarmwife** · 07-20-2007, 09:54 AM

Oh I LOVE cairns, but yes they are high energy, prey driven and yep, will bark at a bug fart! I am a terrier person and have had westies, scotties and now have rat terriers (along with the bloodhound and barn mutt). You do need to watch with small children for the reasons stated above, and yes they can be hard to keep home!

Have you looked also into some of the non terrier small group? Or also into something like a boston?

But honestly, if you want a big dog in a small body, those little terriers fit the bill! (trust me, my ratties are something else, they beat up the bloodhound, and he just lays there and takes it!)

kj

**wanderinggrandma** · 07-20-2007, 11:17 AM

Bumplett I really agree with obtaining a pet from a shelter. That is where I got my shepherds. I've been looking at our's--DH is Animal Control Officer --but all that is available is Pitts. Which I personally think can be incredible family pets. I need to keep focused on SMALL dog.

I have reservations about rescues, though. My mom and my aunt obtained terriers from rescues groups. HOLY COW. They we're really, really, really nightmare dogs. I guess I'm not sure I have the energy or experience to turn one around. Honestly, the one my mom got even had DH shaking his head.

**rhkennerly** · 07-21-2007, 04:15 PM

If you won't have an older dog, Cairn Rescue USA has recently broken up a puppy mill operation and has several younger dogs, < 1 year.

Frankly, we tend not to place troubled dogs anyway. We're always up front about the animal and their shortcomings (as well as positives). And our motto is: if the dog doesn't think you're working out, we'll take him back. We've got some very special folks who work with them.

Besides, a lot of our dogs are owner surrenders when the owner goes to a home or dies, and so aren't troubled animals per se . Many make arrangements with us beforehand so that they can keep their dogs as long as possible and then we assure a good home for the dog. So not all rescue dogs are "troubled" dogs anyway.

Waiting for a cairn pup can be frustrating. Coming from the GSD world where 6-10 pups are common. Many cairn litters are only 2 or 3 pups. 4 pups is a bonanza.

Unfortunately, many people get little dogs thinking that they work well in an apartment or small home. But most are pretty high energy dogs. If you want a couch potato, get a rescued grayhound. Unfortunately, they won't fit in an onboard carrier.

**wanderinggrandma** · 07-21-2007, 05:39 PM

I'm not looking for a couch potato.

I have no pre-conceived ideas about age. I would probably lean toward a younger dog for a purely selfish reason--It would live longer.

I saw my DH twitch when I said rescue and puppy mill in the same sentence.

He truly has seen some sad sad things during his time, so a little twitch wasn't too bad.

We live in the country and have fenced yard, and I walked the shepherds for both exercise and sanity. My shepherds didn't really ever mellow out, always needed a good work out, every day.

I don't think I'm going into this breed un-aware. I've done my research, read about the breed, had hands on experience--now I just have to decide age--puppy and all that fun or an adult and perhaps a few quirks in personality. I think the good part is that we're taking our time and not making a rash decision.

Do you have a web-site for your rescue group?

Thanks for your input-shared knowledge and experience is appreciated.

**JustJoy** · 07-22-2007, 10:13 AM

You definitely won't get a couch potato with a Cairn! LOL! Mine is 8 yrs old now and still as high energy as when we got him at 4 months old!

**frugalwanttobe** · 07-24-2007, 06:11 AM

I have a Cairn and she is the smartest dog that I have ever come across. She brings such joy into all of our lives. I would not trade her for the world.

She does have a lot of energy but she also likes to sleep aaaaaaaaaaalllllllllllloooooooooooootttttttttt!!!!!! She will be 4 in August.

**wanderinggrandma** · 07-24-2007, 01:07 PM

The first time I doggy sat Tad the cairn I had him in our backyard--I have NEVER seen a dog run so darn fast!! My jaw dropped. Just a streak thru the lawn. Zip Zip Zip, around and around. He had a big grin on his face, I swear.

**Lori Biever-Launder** · 07-27-2007, 01:37 AM

One thing you will notice in ALL terriers to some degree is their prey drive. They can and will chase anything that moves unless you train them not to. I have owned terriers (larger ones--Pit mix and an American Staffordshire terrier) for over twenty five years. Cairns can be barky, but that can easily be trained out of them. I taught my Am Staff bitch "Quiet!" in fifteen minutes, but I train dogs as a side line, so it may take you a bit longer.

Cairns are tough little dogs who have NO idea they aren't the size of a Dane. Watch them because they can be dog aggressive if not properly socialized. Cairns are one the breeds that are sparred in the show ring--they are tested to see if they still have the "fire" that terriers are supposed to have and believe me, most Cairns STILL have it!

Also, don't forget that, if you want your dog to look "show ready" Cairns need their coats stripped every few months. Check with a groomer to see how much this will cost. You can learn how to do this yourself, but it takes awhile to learn to do it properly.

These are delightful little companions who LOOOVE to be the center of attention. Just remember that YOU are in charge, NOT them. I have seen small terriers take over entire households because nobody would be the pack leader int he house. As long as you are in charge (and seeing that you used to have GSDs, this shouldn't be a problem), you will find them to be a lot of fun.

Keep in mind that if you don't go with a rescue, make double darned sure to go to reputable breeder. A reputable breeder doesn't sell puppies through the newspaper. Go to a dog show or call a local kennel club to find the right kind of breeder. Reputable breeders do NOT breed their bitches every season, they do careful health screenings (hips, elbows, eyes, etc.) to make sure there will be no genetic problems cropping up. Also the right kind of breeder will take a dog s/he has bred back one day or ten years after the dog's purchase. They will stand behind what they breed no matter WHAT.

I am sure I am preaching to the choir, but never, ever buy from a pet store. Pet store puppies come from puppy mills and I am sure your DH can tell you horror stories about puppy mills and the abuses that occur there.

**Lori Biever-Launder** · 07-27-2007, 01:40 AM

I see you are in Oregon--call the Responisible Dog Breeders Association of Oregon--503-761-1139. They will be able to help you out!

**wanderinggrandma** · 07-27-2007, 12:15 PM

Thanks Lori! I have a great breeder and I'm just trying to decide age. I will have a long wait for one of her pups.

I am the alpha dog at my house, but DH is a marshmello. I swear if the last GSD had gotten control of the remote she would have ruled his world.

I have no interest in a show dog. I want a companion dog. I haven't found much info on stripping their coats but it couldn't be much more time or labor consuming than grooming a shepherd. Could it??

Now how in the heck did you teach quiet in 15 minutes???? Do you train owners?

My GSD's were "talkers" to say the least.

**Lori Biever-Launder** · 07-28-2007, 01:35 AM

When your dog starts barking, say, "Quiet" in a firm, authoritative voice. The SECOND the dog stops, say, "Good quiet!" and hand a wonderful treat to your dog. Of course, the dog has NO clue as to why the yummy came his/her way. Sooo, a minute or so later, when Barky starts up again, repeat as necessary. Gypsy learned it in fifteen minutes. I suspect that, if you are as firm as I am about commands, you should be able to do this fairly quickly.