True Cairns?

[Jersey Joe]

Hi All...a breeder sent us a couple pics of the pups and parents. The parents look a little...off? Is it the way they are groomed or are these not true Cairns? He said they are registered. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

--Joe

[Shazza]

Those look like Cairns to me!

I don't think they've been groomed properly in a long while though.

The pups are adorable!

[Idaho Cairns]

Look fine to me also. Matter of fact, the adult dog on the left is the the spitting image of our much beloved and now departed Tootsie. Pups look fine as well.

[Cairnmania]

Personally, if you want a Cairn puppy that is a good respresentative of the breed I would steer clear of this breeder. The Cairn on the left does not appear to have erect ears; so chances are that trait might be passed along.

Suggest you look for a breeder that is a member of the CTCA (sponsors this web site) - it might mean you have to wait longer; but in the end it's worthwhile.

[josie&holly]

Cute puppies but thought that the ears should be erect..................

[tlwtheq]

Cute puppies but thought that the ears should be erect..................

I read what everyone is saying; I agree about the "steering clear" of the breeder comment.

However, I think the dog on the left just has his ears back just like my Holdsworth

used to do when hot or tired or a little anxious.

Oh, and the puppies seem too young to have erect ears.

[kittdog]

They look like cairns in the face. However, their grooming makes it hard to really tell on their ears if they are offset or overly large. Plus, without seeing the bodies you can't tell if they are too long or have funny tails, etc. I would ask the breeder for more pics if you haven't already so you can see the overall dog and ask about their heights, lengths and weights to see if their balanced.

[Jersey Joe]

He said the parents are 10 and 12 pounds. I'll ask for more pictures. Thanks for all of your help!

[bradl]

If the breeder is active in the breed you can often google the registered names of the sire and dam and find evidence of their show results on one of the superintendent's sites. That would confirm they are registered and provide evidence that the breeders are at least trying to breed true to Cairn type.

Dogs can be "pure" Cairn without necessarily being particularly good examples of the breed. No fault of the dog and they can be terrific companions regardless.

[Idaho Cairns]

Bradl is right, the character and personality of the breed is the most attractive aspect of Cairns--I've never had a show quality dog but I bet everyone of my dogs has had "show quality" Cairn characteristics. I'm sure the dog on the left simply has laid back her ears--that camera shy thing that Cairns often do.

My only question is why the breeder didn't send you a more representative picture of the breeding pair--if I were selling pups I would want a bit more information going out about the parents.

[Cairnmania]

Keep in mind that registering the dog with the AKC does not mean that the parents or puppies are of good quality, that the breeder has bred for health, temperament and type.

And fundamentally the two most important things are health and temperament - no dog is perfect, not even the ones strutting around the show ring. :-)

I know I saw it somewher on the web, but of course have misplaced the link, but my expectations of good breeders are those that will quiz me. They want to know that the home their puppy or adult dog is going to will be suitable. If I don't have experience with the breed they will test me to make sure I know what sort of havoc I'm in for with their breed! They insist that if it turns out the dog or my personal situation is not suitable - at any point in time - that the first call I place is to them.

[avlsarah]

My Maxwell came from a hobby breeder. His parents weren't perfectly groomed and perhaps she didn't aim to produce show quality pups - and wasn't even able to send me photos to give a representation of her kennel. However, she had a great love for her dogs and pups and the results have been astounding. I think the important thing is to ask yourself what you are looking for in a companion - is it personality and temperament or is it that they have a certain look or appearance. Will you be showing the dog, keeping it as a pet, training it for performance, etc. What, to some, may not look like a 'best of breed' dog may still be a wonderful friend. The most helpful factor for me was paying a visit to the kennel, meeting with the breeder, and seeing Maxwell and his siblings for myself. Another good sign, like CairnMania suggested, is that the breeder takes an interest in you, wants to know about your lifestyle and the home where the pup will be living to ensure that the fit will be right.

[sheila and Misty]

I say cairn