Support Petition "Recognize Cairn Terrier's Outer Coat as an Essential External Organ"

[Cairnarian]

Support on Change.org to raise awareness! 

https://chng.it/dQG86Kh4BW

Thank you!

[bradl]

Sorry, I cannot support that as written. Perhaps there is a language difference but it appears to conflate clipping with stripping.

I do strongly agree that the Cairn's coat is important to its character and its health. Both benefit from stripping (plucking).

[Cairnarian]

Thank you for pointing this out! I will see if I can edit the petition.

[Newman]

what does the petition do? 

"According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), improper grooming can lead to serious health issues in many breeds"

 

just to bring awareness to the cairn community? seems like the AKC already advocates it's really important. unless i'm missing something, i apologize 

[Cairnarian]

I was able to edit and add additional text to the petition. Feel free to point out any inconsistencies/errors in the text. I will greatly appreciate it.

[Cairnarian]

Yes, to raise awareness. 

[Cairnarian]

Not so much the Cirn community as the people around it. 

[Sam I Am]

Sorry this is the most ridiculous thing I have ever read. We clip horses, we clip dogs and …surprise they all survive to a healthy old age. A good brushing, nails clipped, teeth cleaned, good food and lots of love is all most dogs want and care about. I haven’t killed any of my terriers yet by having a good groomer that knows how to do a good job on a terrier without shaving them. Plus how on earth did the breed survive in the Scottish highlands without the required stripping! Very well no doubt.

All three of my Cairns hated having their coats stripped…so I stopped. They are fed human grade food, rarely have a bath and surprise don’t smell. 

Edited February 8 by Sam I Am

[Cairnarian]

Dear Sam I am, 

Thank you for sharing your experience. I am glad it is working for you.

I created this petition because of what my Cairn, the one you see in the pic went through when her fur was clipped very  short.

Vienna, the Wheaten you see at the pic, is my second Cairn. I had a Silver Brindle before. I love this breed! I find that these robust courageous little dogs are full of energy, have positive attitude, are curious, loyal and loving. She runs the pack in our household (we also have a Golden Retriever and a Golden Retriever/Labrador mix right now.) Two years ago family members who were house-sitting and taking care of the dogs decided to take them to their groomer without checking with me first. The breeder clipped Vienna's coat close to her skin. All that was left was a thin layer of undercoat. Vienna became withdrawn and  irritable. She ignored other dogs and stayed by herself. She would not spend time outside. She was constantly trembling inside air-conditioned house. She stopped running and playing when outside. She spent most of her time under furniture or making nests out of blankets. It was an ordeal. I was working hard to restore her coat. It took almost a year for her to get back to normal self. Her coat is lighter now and mostly soft. Luckily, some of her coarse fur came back. 

It took months to get those responsible for this acknowledge they made a mistake. They gingerly acknowledge it, but I am not fully convinced.

I would love to do something to make sure that  "civilians" outside of the Cairn community learn about importance of proper coat care for the breed. I hope it becomes common knowledge no one else has to go through similar experience.

Thank you.

 

Edited February 8 by Cairnarian

[Sam I Am]

I suspect that the lesson learned here is to make sure that the person you choose to use as your dogs groomer is experienced and respects your instructions.  I understand you were traumatized by the results of having your dog shaved, however what I find disturbing about this “petition” is that it implies that to do anything but stripping the coat will cause physical and mental health to the animal.. Finding an experienced groomer, whether they strip a coat or use clippers is paramount always. Any rough handling of the animals during the grooming is not to be tolerated. Proper coat care is to me, for any animal, proper nutrition, bathing if needed, and grooming. If I was showing my dogs I would have to strip their coats as it’s a requirement, but to say the animal is physically and mentally being abused is placing blame on dog owners that have their dogs coat clipped instead of stripped. And that is not fair.

 

[Cairnarian]

Fair enough! It is great to see that you love and care for them. That's what matters! 

Edited February 8 by Cairnarian

[Newman]

Wow sorry that happened to you cairnarian. Honestly that breeder and groomer sound like trouble. Because you can tell when touching and brushing a cairn, that their coat is a pretty unique one. Has a wiry texture and some layers. It's not reasonable to think oh this can be cut off down to the skin..

 

Like the same logic as a female going into a salon and the instincts of the barber is to cut off their long beautiful hair. Doesn't make sense lol

Edited February 9 by Newman

[bradl]

The grooming service community is diverse but at least there is awareness and attempts at education within, e.g., Stop Shaving Double-Coated Dogs.

Particularly problematic for the Husky types but my heart always sinks when I see or hear of a terrier getting a "summer cut" too.

[Cairnarian]

Thank you!