New here and introducing myself

[msutherlin]

My name is Melanie. We are new cairn owners. My best friend has had two cairns for a while now and they were having their last litter. My daughter is best friends with my friends daughter and has wanted a cairn since they got one. With each litter, and this being the 3rd and final, she has begged for a cairn pup. Each time we've said no! We are dyed in the wool rat terrier owners and to be quite honest I had no clue why anyone would want any other dog beside a rattie! Don't yell at me yet! I was converted! We just really loved our ratties. There is a saying in that community that they are like potato chips...you can't just have one. We have 3 ratties and one mutt dog. We have occasionally been involved in rat terrier rescue as well.

We also felt that we had enough dogs in our home already and I did not want to raise another puppy! But, my child, being the child she is, wrote a spread sheet of reasons why she needed this puppy. She is 19 now, in college and living at home. One reason I caved in was the fear that in a couple years she would move out and then get a pup and not really have a lot of time to train it because of working etc. and then be frustrated with it. Being that she is still at home for a while, I could help her get the pup trained. And, she will be used to our home, our rules etc. because even if our daughter moves out and takes her with her, she will be bring her back to our house to watch if she goes out of town or if she just wants to use us as doggie day care while she works. I love having her around so that would be fine with me. I think I'm going to miss her when she moves out. Oh, and my daughter too, lol!

I have been amazed by this little cairn! Here name is Charli. My husband calls her Charli Brown. She is the funniest little dog. One of our rat terriers took her under her wing and I think she thinks it's her puppy. They are best friends! She has been really easy to train but I think having all the other dogs has helped. She is soooooo smart. I thought my ratties were smart, but this little dog is really smart! We have gotten very attached to her. Oh my the challenges though. She digs! She loves anything wet, dirty, messy etc. She ate the tomatoes off the vine in the garden! I've never had a dog do that before. She doesn't seem to mind bad weather or rain. Our ratties will not go in the rain, nor will they get near anything messy, ever. It's so funny to see how different their personalities are!

I posted some questions about grooming in the care section. That's really my only question about her right now. I've learned to keep the fur on her feet trimmed. I finally figured out that helps with the dirt she tracks in. I call her the velcro dog because when she goes out everything sticks to her!

She is a joy! We are so happy to not only be rat terrier owners by cairn grandparents!

Melanie

[oscar's mom]

Welcome! I love your post. We Cairn owners understand pet breed loyality, but they are all Terrier/Terrorist aren't they ? Very happy to hear you think about the future of this little pup, and your daughter's. Whish all dog owner's or potential dog owner's thought that way. Enjoy your little pup. Love the avitar.

By the way there are many postings about grooming, I think Brad(forum operator) tells everyone to go to google type in grooming carin terrier, and it will lead you back to this site and all the grooming posts. There are great pictures people have posted on how the head should look post grooming and other great pictures.

[msutherlin]

Thanks for the welcome! Yes they are terroists! One thing is for sure, terrier is the breed for me. I just can't see owning a non-terrier breed. Even our mutt is part terrior of some kind. She is 10 years old but acts like she's about 5. We had a golden retriever that lived to be 10 years old before she passed on. We loved her dearly but was not the same as a terrier. You just can't beat that personality. I will be sure to check out the grooming section. That would probably be helpful.

We take getting a puppy very seriously! My pet peeve is people who don't think it through. We've hopefully instilled that in our children. I think helping out in rescue previously has taught us all the other side, when people discard animals or just don't care for them in general. That makes me crazy!

Melanie

[toomanypaws]

Welcome to the wonderful life of owning a Cairn. I have 3 Cairns and a Westie among yet even more dogs. My terriers keep me laughing. Glad you found us. This is a great group.

[Autumn & Lola]

Hiya Melanie and welcome!

I got my first Cairn in March (she was a year old) and I laugh every day at something she does. Yup, she is a terror as well, but very animated, funny and extremely sweet and loving. She also loves anything dirty, as your does. I had a toy poodle/terrier mix who had more of the poodle personality. She was a *Lady* and wouldn't dream of rolling in anything icky. Molly, on the other hand - dirt, mud, fire ant hills, duck poop, dead bugs - nothing is too gross for her.

The one thing that really surprised me about Cairns is their strength. I call her "the little bull". They can pull so hard on their leads, (although I must say Molly has nearly stopped this), however, she made a mad dash last weekend and actually broke the clip of her harness!

The digging: oh the joy. The first two weeks we had her, she managed to dig under a double fence (6ft wood and 4ft hurricane fence) several times. Now, every single hole, dip in the ground and slit in the fence has been plugged up! The yard is now as secure as Ft. Knox and I can rest easy as she loves to play in the yard for hours.

Congrats! You are in for many years of fun with Charli!

[msutherlin]

They certainly are sturdy little dogs. They would be really good with kids. It's funny too, she's independent in that she is not a lap dog or even right next to your side. But, she has to be in the same room with me. She will follow me everywhere and lay by my feet or she likes the back of the sofa. Whereas the ratties like to be right next to or on the lap.

She has not tried to dig her way out of the yard yet, but she kept trying to dig up a hosta. And she lived in the garden. She would come in smelling like herbs which was really nice! Herb scented cairn

Melanie

[tlwtheq]

Hi Melanie,

Welcome to the Beautiful World of Cairndome!

These are wonderful little pups. Now that you know a Cairn person

you will hooked for life (fair warning with Charlie; she is a

terrorier after all ).

Tara, Proud of Mum of three Cairn Terriors!

[kintra]

Congratulations on your new puppy!

I'm a 20 year old college student and I've been in the dog show world for the past 5 years (showing in breed, juniors, and working for professional handlers) and chose a Cairn, Zach, as my first show dog. I'd previously only had mixed breeds and Miniature Pinschers. ZaZa is my 8 1/2 year old Min Pin and is as sassy as ever.

Hope it all goes well!

[Malcolm's Dad]

Welcome to the group. There are many helpful people here. I adopted Malcolm from a shelter and the only thing I knew about a Cairn is that Toto was a Cairn. Boy did I get an education lol. Have fun with your new pup.

[josie&holly]

Welcome to the Forum - your Charli is cute looking!

I have been a Cairn owner for just over 14 mths but I acquired an adult that was being retired from a breeder. Holly is a sweet tempered girl though she has a mind of her own!! She can be stubborn at times but is very affectionate and loving. I am very glad that I have a Cairn!

[Hawkeye]

Congratulations and welcome to the group. I have a cairn and a westie at present, but have had cairns for over 20 years. I have been considering getting another cairn and actually have been in contact with breeder. You put it well "can't have just one". Terriers are a challenge, but they are so much fun!! Again...welcome.