Is this cairn pure bred?

[D110]

Hi, can anyone help. There are very rarely cairns for sale in Ireland. Someone has posted an ad for a pure bred cairn puppy but it has white spots on its chin and paws. I am skeptical as Not sure if this is just a flaw that means it can’t be bred or if it is not purebred. Any suggestions?

[Idaho Cairns]

I seem to remember that I read a Cairn "standard" that excluded ANY/ALL white on the breed.  However, I wouldn't take my half formed opinion as gospel--there are plenty of internet sites under Cairn Standard that should give you a better answer.

[D110]

Thanks! I read it could be a fault with the breed but I have never ever seen it so just wanted to see what anyone else thought. 

[Idaho Cairns]

We're in the same league--I haven't seen it (white markings) on a Cairn either!  Did you actually see the dog or just images?  Sometimes the cameras give a false impression--particularly if the dog is multicolored, as most Cairns tend to be when pups.

[bradl]

I have seen what has been called a "locket" - a very small patch of white on the chest.  It's considered a throwback, not technically correct, but usually forgiven, and often lost or dimished in appearance by a full coat, or overtaken by silver coat with age. 

Other random largish patches of white elsewhere I have not personally seen on purebreds, although obviously I have not seen them all  

Often the breeder can identify a path in the pedigree that correlates with a locket or other anomaly.