Anyone got more than 1 Cairn/dog?

[i_love_my_puppy]

Hi all - I'd be grateful if any of you out there who have more than one Cairn let me know what a typical "day in the life" is like and how they behave together. The more detail the better, are they male/female, older/younger do they play fight a lot etc etc? We were thinking of getting a second dog when Flynn is about a year old (he wil be neutred by then, he's only 5months now). But i'm not sure and would love to hear about other peoples experiences. One of my neighbours has a 2 year old lhasa apso female and her son who visits has a male cairn. Whenever the cairn is there all i can hear is a constant noise like when you go to the dentist and say "aaaaah"...that's the noise only with no breaks and very loud lol!! The noise is the cairn and the 2 dogs seem to be locked onto each others necks making this noise but it does appear to be rough play not aggression. Does this sound familiar, is this what i could expect or is there peace in the cairn world??? lol! Thanks for any advice and stories.

[jennilando]

We had three dogs for a while, with two cairns and a lab. It worked out really well in our household. We had a fairly old lab and Cosette was five when we got Cutter, our second cairn. They really got along well; Cutter and Cos became good friends. Cosette rules the house though. Whenever Cutter meets any other dog, he rolls over on his back immediately and submits! If he weren't such a pushover, there probably would have been more difficulties.

[Nikki]

I have 2 cairns. Angel and Scotty are 3 months apart but we didnt get scotty until he was 6 months old. They play/wrestle pretty much all day with each other they like to sleep on each other. They get along great mine take turns whos the boss. their personalities are like they opposite of each other. They are so funny together and they don't like to be apart for too long.

[Nena]

Mine wrestles with her friend a Bison just like that and they are just having a great time playing. They are best of friends but you would think they are killing each other.

[kittdog]

I have 4 adult cairns and they all get along fine. I have 2 girls ages 3 & 2 1/2 and 2 boys ages 3 & 1. They have a pack and a pack order and pretty much follow it. My oldest girl is pack leader and keeps everyone in check. Every now and then there is a bit of an argument, but I'm always there to break it up. My oldest boy is usually the one to start a fight, but I think he is the most insecure about silly things. They do play very rough and makes lots of crazy noises and sometimes it sounds like they are ripping each other to shreds, but it's all in play. Yes, they can be barky, but usually it's at something. Our cairns are on a daily schedule that they really like. They do have individual crates, which they really like to have for the restful spots.

[kintra]

At my house, we have a Cairn (male-5 years old) and a Miniature Pinscher (female-8 years old). There is definitely a rank (the MinPin is higher) but otherwise, they mostly ignore eachother. When we first got the Cairn, there was a pretty big power struggle for awhile...he was bigger and wanted to play. Going by their personalities, I helped to choose which dog would be alpha and enforced it by always feeding her first, etc.

[Marty & Sherry]

We have a 4 yo Westie dog (Mac, nuetered), a 2 yo Cairn bitch (Emmy, whole) & the new one a 15 week old Cairn dog (Obie, whole). It is not boring to say the least. Luckily we have the 2 older ones fairly well trained and they do what we say (most of the time). The new little guy is hard core terrier through & through. He knows what we want from him he just isn't going to do it until he is good & ready. Anything breakable is up high & on something that it can't be jarred off of. When the 3 of them get to playing chase all at once it is pure chaos. Emmy does seem to be the pack leader/instigator. The pup doesn't always remember that & she has had to put him in his place a couple of times. Luckily we have no food aggression. They will all eat off of each others plates with no problems. We'll see haow that goes when the pup gets older.

[Hawkeye]

I have a 13 yr old Westie (Casey) and 1 1/2 yr old Cairn (Bailey) and they get along very nice. Bailey actually brought back some youth in Casey. Casey was going to show Bailey all the rules of the house and be in charge, but Bailey decided differently. Casey can't keep up with the kid and he now gets all the squeak toys and runs around like a terrier.

[sheila and Misty]

Misty and Toby get along fine-yeah theres some agitation between them at times. but they work it out. they look more feirce when going at each other then they really are. two has made my life easier as they for the most part entertain and wear each other out instead of me. takes awhile for adjustment after ll now you need to share your attention (equally) I waited untill Misty knew the rules and then she was able to help me get Toby in line(he learned quicker by watching her) just remember it will cost more in the long run-tw dogs to groom-two dogs to spay or neuter two dogs to keep your eye on two dogs that can possibly have future health issues . if you have the money the patience and the time your good to go!

[Jessica H]

I have 2 Cairns and a 9 month old German Shepherd. It works out fine but they do play and make a lot of noise. It is short bursts usually and they settle in. It is like having more than one child. They are going to play together but it does you a great favor because they are not always looking to you for the attention.

I would say that having 2 dogs is much easier than one BUT 3 dogs takes a little getting used to. Honestly things would be much calmer at my household if I only had 1 Cairn and the Shepherd. The Cairns have endless energy. Luckily Dozer (Shepherd) is very laid back and turns off the energy in the house, Sadie is usually the one that gets him going.

If you are considering another dog, no matter what breed, talk to the breeder and tell them you would like a laid back dog. That is what I did when I got Dozer, I told the breeder that I wanted a calm dog.

[Autumn & Lola]

Is everyone very young on this board?

I am 42 and have one Cairn. I can't imagine having 2 (or 5, as I saw someone on this board has).

How on EARTH do you do it???

I'm exhausted! LOL!

*THUD*!

Autumn

[Shazza]

lol Autumn

I'm in my late 40's and have 2, it's not that much different really. They tend to keep each other occupied.

Ilovemypuppy,

We have a male and female, both 2 years old.

We've had them both since they were puppies and got them from the same breeder. They are half brother and sister, same father. They do have their little spats from time to time, but honestly they would be lost without each other.

[josie&holly]

I was late coming to dog ownership as I am 62 and retired. But part of my retirement plan was to have a dog. I don't think I could have coped with a lively puppy so getting an adult worked out fine for me. However, I do not think I would want another dog but you never know do you what is round the corner!

I think you have to look at various options - is your home big enough for more than one dog, can you afford double vet/insurance/food bills etc? Have you the energy level to take on another dog?

[Cairns2]

Have 3 Cairns, hubby and I are both over 50, call us crazy! Also have 4 cats - all get along very well. It's how you raise them. Have had Cairns with large breed dogs in the past and the Cairns ruled (except for the Calico cat - she's still the boss at 14)!

3 Cairns are 3 times the work, 3 times the barking and 3 times the fun and enjoyment. Somedays it's a full-time job, especially when grooming. I recommend you be a strong pack leader with multiples and walk them together so they form a pack, which helps them get along. Be careful with food and toys as squabbles can happen. Also recommend a king size bed as these guys sprawl and take root!!!

[bpfeffer]

We got a Multipoo late last year. He loved to play and really liked being around other dogs, so we eventually settled on our female Cairn terrier as a companion. The two of them get along well. The only 'issue' is that the Cairn is teaching the Multipoo some bad behaviors - mainly chewing on things, and we had a brief period when the Mutipoo 'forgot' his potty training while the Cairn was young and having frequent accidents (she was a little too young when we got her). They love to run, play, chase each other, and wrestle around.

[sheila and Misty]

young at heart maybe one would say...Im 5o and my DH is 63 and we have the two cairns and are possibly thinking of a third and maybe a 4th down the line-ah thats the limit round our area 4 per house . yeh its always challenging at first untill they all adapt to new surroundings and routines and competition.''me Im happy with two would never put up a fuss mif my husband says-want another? Like I could ever say no. ha ha making up for my lack of having my own kids..He has two he says dogs are much easier!

[Aurora5000]

the older one teaches the younger one what to do mostly.

[cupcake]

I am just a novice but a proud owner of 2 cairns. Toby has only been with us for 2 weeks,but the pleasure he as brought us is great.Lucy and Toby have only had one fallout (upto now )which was over one of Lucy's toys To see how well they get on together is lovely

[Jessica H]

Scooter and Sadie have NEVER fought, they are so attached to each other it is crazy. Dozer was a different story. Bringing a new puppy into their world that they had only been together in for 5 years was tough for them. It wasn't bad but they had fall outs. I was worried b/c of the size I knew Dozer was going to be but they are all fine now. They never have spats anymore except when the little ones have had enough playing. Sadie is usually the instigator and she is the boss. They all get along great and even sleep together on the same bed snuggling.

[Nena]

We are in out 50's and just have the one cairn now. Had a collie before he was great but we love Nena. Would love to get another, but right now is not good time but someday I am sure we will.

[Tracy A.]

Is everyone very young on this board?

I am 42 and have one Cairn. I can't imagine having 2 (or 5, as I saw someone on this board has).

How on EARTH do you do it???

I'm exhausted! LOL!

*THUD*!

Autumn

I would be exhausted too with only 1 Cairn!!!

Two keep eachother occupied, without a playmate...the human has to stand in..LOL

[tk223]

Kooper is 1 year old now, I have an 8 yr old Golden, & 3 cats also. Everyone gets along well, Kooper is constant go-go-go...My poor Golden just cannot keep up. I feel bad for her sometimes, but she plays until she's done then she puts Kooper in his place and he comes and tries to get me to play with him...I am happily amazed at his antics everyday, he's getting good at humoring himself w/ his toys, although he has an addiction to ink pens lately!

[hallswel]

In my crazy home right now I have Hammurabi who is not a Cairn he is a Pug (fixed) and my oldest Cairn Rebel (fixed) and then I have my others, Sugar...the Diva and for now her babies, Paint who is my other girl, my boy Dirty Harry and his son Duncan (who when he is finished will live with my next door neighbor we co-own him, but for now he lives with me.

Soooo I have 1 Pug, 5 adult Cairns, and others that at this point add to the craziness but I don't count them. I would have more but think really 6 is all I can care for and spend time with while I work..... I am 53 and some times I wonder why on earth but you know they all have different personalities and so much FUN!

[maggie]

We have two Cairns. We got Kai-lee (female/spayed) when she was 16 weeks old, March 2005 we soon decided we would love to have two. Keegan (male/neutered) came home to us in June 2006 at 8 weeks old. They are a 17 months apart. They are great together. I really don't think it's more work to have two. They both are one the same schedule, they do everything together, play...to some it might appear or sound like they are going to kill themselves, but they have never hurt each other, they will pounce each other , wear each other out then immediately go get a drink out of the same water bowl, maybe lay together for a little bit and resume play. There are times when they ignore each other but usually they are together. I do feed them in their individual crates. They also sleep in their crates at the foot of our bed. When we say "time for bed" they race to their crates in the bedroom they know whose crate is who's and settle in until morning. Other than feeding and sleeping they have full run of the house all day.

The one thing that does have to be taken into account is finances. Everything will pretty much double, food, flea & heartworm prevention, vet bills, boarding if ever required etc.

I don't know what your living arrangements are, but make sure everyone is on the same page. Both my husband and I feel the same about our little ones. Their needs are equally important to both of us, so we don't have issues as to what food we buy, or the cost of medical care etc.

Something else to think about if you are renting/leasing your home, some landlord will not take more than one pet. We had to go out of town for work a couple of years ago and didn't want to sell our permanent house, so we had to find a house to lease that would take my two. We were fortunate to find one....but not always easy.

We travel by car with them, and they do great. We have a big fenced yard that they can play in but we don't leave them out if we are not home or unsupervised. They go on walks with us etc.

As far as our age goes we are 54/69. Everytime we see pictures of everyones "babies" we would love to add on, but when we look at all the possibilities,our lifestyle etc two is probably best at this time.

I hope this helps!

[jetersmom]

I have three cairns. Jeter (4) in August, male, Bernie (4) in February, male and Violet (2) in September, female. I adore all three. Jeter is my alpha male. Violet occasionally pushes his buttons but he puts her in her place in a most deferential manner. All my dogs get along and play well together but Violet was young enough to come in and fall into her place. Would not be able to have just one cairn any more than I could eat one tater chip!