Male or Female Cairn?

[IwantOneToo!]

Hello Everyone!

Yea! I want one too! I decided to learn about Cairn Terriers first before I actually have one. For those who have both male and female terriers, which sex is more loving, playful, independent, curious, or whatever else I really need to know about the differences between the males and females.

I do not intend to breed my Cairn.

Also, I was really thinking of getting two Cairn Terriers. Is two better than one and if so, should I get two sisters, or brother and sister, two males or......another puppy from a different breeder? I would really love some insight from this forum.

I am so glad I found this forum. Thanks ahead for all the information.

Linda

[Tracy A.]

Also, I was really thinking of getting two Cairn Terriers. Is two better than one and if so, should I get two sisters, or brother and sister, two males or......another puppy from a different breeder? I would really love some insight from this forum.

Linda

Hi Linda:

As a person who got two male littermates I would never do it again. A single puppy is a lot of work, a Cairn Puppy is even more work than other breeds...they are more like having a human toddler in reality......factor in two Cairn Puppies.... the work load is like having 3 or 4 puppies- I kid you not.

Save yourself .... get 1 puppy raise it, potty train it, then in two years get the second pup.

Don't get me wrong, I love Mett & Bratt and wouldn't trade them.... but the time and effort I had to invest in raising them was...well a lot...I felt like that was all I did for 6 months when I wasn't at work... or commuting home to take them out while at work..... not to mention the double vet bills...it adds up quickly. I was foolish.

[Marty & Sherry]

We have had both male & female and all I can tell you right now is be ready for an explosion of energy whichever way you go. Our little female (7 mos now) is every bit as crazy as our male was at the same age. Throw the ball, throw the ball, play tug, throw the ball, molest your face, throw the ball & on & on & on... She gives our 2 1/2 yo male Westie all he can handle. If I were starting from scratch I would get one of each but then I know what to expect. I would prefer that there was some age difference between them but I would want them to have a buddy. I think living with another dog helps keep them socialized to other dogs outside their "pack". Two Cairn puppies at the same time would be a total riot! I already envy you.

ETA, How old are ya anyway? On second thought 2 Cairn puppies at the same time just might kill me now!

[Jessica H]

Hello,

I have a male and a female. I don't think it matters with these dogs, it is more the individual dog. I started with Scooter and got Sadie and I am glad I have 2 dogs. I got Sadie when Scooter was about 9 months old. I am glad I did it when they were still young. I actually found it easier with 2, they play with each other, keep each other company. If you get 2 I HIGHLY recommend a male and a female.

I love having 2, I got Sadie last and it seemed that she did all her puppy biting on Scooter instead of me which was nice.

This is a great breed and I highly recommend it!

[bradl]

I'm pretty much against getting two at the same time. I believe most people seriously underestimate the amount - and quality- of attention that puppies need. Not fair to the dogs; not fair to other family members

Plus, taking one pup at a time lets another family have the joy - and work - of a puppy, too.

As to gender, I would be brutally honest with the breeder about your lifestyle and what you want/expect/need from a dog and let them choose the individual that best matches your needs, be it male or female. There are generalizations that emerge as common themes among those who've had lots of Cairns (some listed below), but in the end, it all comes down to the individual dog.

Some things I've heard regarding m/f choices:

• Females are sometimes more 'cat-like' and independent
  
• There's a reason they call them 'bitches'
  
• Males can be somewhat more needy and/or eager to please
  
• Rule of thumb for two is one of each (spayed and neutered)
  
• Many breeders would love to keep more males (or all males) because of their sweetness, but unaltered males do not always run together trouble-free (due to mating competition)
  
• Males tend to recognize altered (neutered) males as not a threat, so two neutered males can get along fine
  
• There's a reason they call them bitches
  

All of the above are just stereotypes. Best to meet the actual dogs and decide on an individual basis.

[IwantOneToo!]

Thank you for all the replies.

I do realize getting a puppy is like having a baby and a lot of work, I mean a lot of work.

I do not own any four legged babies right now, but I remember the sleepless nights when a puppy is brought home, and messy floors/rugs when toilet training.

I like the idea of getting another puppy a year or two years apart. I want the puppy to be very socialable and very likeable and not be lonely, when we are not home.

[toomanypaws]

I have 3 females, Kiara (6 1/2), Abbey (4) and Hannah (3 1/2). Kiara, my oldest is the most independent, but she will sit with my husband for hours if allowed. She's the hunter, yet the biggest baby during thunder storms. She is definitely alpha over the others. Abbey is one of the sweetest little dogs you could ever ask for and constantly comes and jumps at me for a hug. Hannah breaks all the rules of what others say about females. She is all girlie girl and probably wishes she was born a Yorkie. She prefers to be the lap dog and is very needy and affectionate. I also have a 17 mth old Westie male. He is the biggest baby I've ever seen. He does best w/ Abbey and Hannah, but fights time w/ Hannah to be in my lap. At only 10 lbs, it's hard not to carry him around.

I would not have two again that were only 6 mths apart again. I feel that Abbey didn't get her "puppy time" w/ us because we had Hannah. Abbey also regressed at first and we had to re-housetrain her. Seeing them all together now, I don't regret having any of them. I'd just space it out more if I had to do it over.

Edited to add: I forgot to say how well they all get along. Kiara was the only one that got out of line as far as welcoming a new pup. There's nothing more enjoyable than watching them all run and chase eachother in the yard.

[Kramersmom]

My first Cairn was Missy, she passed away at age 17. Now I have a little fellow named Kramer. He is the most loveable dog I have ever had. Missy very much had a mind of her own. Her way or no way. Loveable but in her own way. She was not a lap dog, very independant and dominate. I had Missy for 17 years and she was a very special girl to me, one that will never be forgotten. Missy was Missy and I loved her for being just that. Kramer is very needy, he needs the closeness with the family, loves to cuddle and has to be by me whenever possable. Loves the car, loves goig for rides , loves to play, just a sweet gentle soul. I said if I went to get another I dot think I could get one so sweet as Kramer. I know there are may out there but in terms of male female from my experiance I find the male to be more cuddly, loving and just sweet natured, but I here lots of loving cuddly storys here of female's that are very loveable so it is just a matter too of the breeding too. My Missy was puppy mill and Kramer is from a top breeder.

So I'm sure that has a lot to do with it too. But I still want to get a little black female one day No matter what we love'em.

[IwantOneToo!]

Thank you for the wonderful stories, I love them all.

Thank you for the very helpful advice on owning two little babies at once, I think I will space my babies outby at least a year or two.

[oscar's mom]

My little Oscar is a cuddle bug, and from a puppy mill. I think in the animal world males a more sensitive and loving.

[OzGirl]

There's a reason they call them 'bitches'

Yes I can relate to that. Susie is sometimes our grumpy little "bitch"

(But we love her dearly )

[oscar's mom]

That last comment cracked me up!

[Aurora5000]

We have 2 males from the same Mom and Dad. They are a year apart in age. I suggest one at a time and not 2 at the same time. Teach the first one how you want him to act and mind and when you get the sibling a year later, it will be a lot easier to teach cuz big brother is there to mentor. Good Luck

Click on the video link below....all I do is wind them up and let them go...

[shellj2323]

We were thinking of getting two at once and decided against it based on what we read about why it's not a good idea.

After about 2 weeks of having our 10-week-old boy Angus, I'm very happy with our decision. I can't tell you how tiring it is just keeping up with and training one! I'm SO glad we only have him for now. We'll likely get another one later - a rescue that's a little older (if I have my way). He's a joy, don't get me wrong. I love him SO much! But man, he is the Energizer bunny...he keeps going and going (until he naps)! LOL

We also debated whether to get a boy or girl (you can find the thread, it wasn't that long ago). We decided on the boy because we liked his personality.

[IwantOneToo!]

Thank you so much for all the replies. It truly sounds like it is dog for dog personality basis. I will be asking a breeder what kind of personality each one of the puppies have, I will have to see if I can pick out the females and the males based on their personalities.

Did anyone actually see and play with their puppies before you brought them home. I do not feel comfortable buying a puppy on the internet without me actually seeing the puppy and playing with the puppy. I am not ready for a puppy yet, but I need to know how is a puppy usually bought? How did you pick out your puppy in a litter?

Linda

[Tracy A.]

Thank you so much for all the replies. It truly sounds like it is dog for dog personality basis. I will be asking a breeder what kind of personality each one of the puppies have, I will have to see if I can pick out the females and the males based on their personalities.

Did anyone actually see and play with their puppies before you brought them home. I do not feel comfortable buying a puppy on the internet without me actually seeing the puppy and playing with the puppy. I am not ready for a puppy yet, but I need to know how is a puppy usually bought? How did you pick out your puppy in a litter?

Linda

Hi Linda:

Quick question, are you picking up the puppy or is the puppy being shipped? A lot of good breeders do have websites, but so do Puppy Mills or 'back yard breeders'.

[Kathryn]

Linda - this reponse to your question is really heartfelt, and I hope you understand that: if someone is willing to sell you a puppy over the internet, you should NOT buy from them. Instead, work through the Cairn Terrier Club here or the AKC and find a reputable breeder. Check out their credentials, and make sure you are buying from someone who truly loves this breed and is dedicated to it.

Dogs who are carelessly bred so often end up having problems, and the heartbreak -- let alone the vet bills if they happen -- is just not necessary.

I have two cairns: one I acquired from a family that breeds and shows cairns, and the other is a "rescue" cairn, probably from a backyard breeder at best and a puppy mill at worst. My female -- from the family -- has always been hearty, healthy and demonstrates every characteristic of cairns discussed on this forum. The rescue came to me with some health issues - allergies, ear problems -- that I will probably have to treat for his entire life. I love him, and I knew what I was getting into. And I knew I could afford whatever came back at me due to the decision to adopt him. But dogs by nature are expensive and generally I've found that, when you buy smartly up front, you often pay less down the road (hey - but no guarantees there either!).

Good luck with yiour search for a cairn, and I truly hope you try to find a good breeder and get a puppy that will meet your every expectation.

Kathryn

[jimnconnie]

Did anyone actually see and play with their puppies before you brought them home. I do not feel comfortable buying a puppy on the internet without me actually seeing the puppy and playing with the puppy. I am not ready for a puppy yet, but I need to know how is a puppy usually bought? How did you pick out your puppy in a litter?

Linda

Definitely visit a breeder to see the puppies, as well as the parents, before you purchase one. In fact most reputable breeders will want to meet and interview the people who are getting a dog from them. They may want to know about your home (fenced yard or not, children or not, is someone usually at home with the dog during the day or not, have you owned a terrier before or not???). From your viewpoint a visit, or 2, gives you an opportunity to interact with the puppies and observe them, and to see the parent dogs. The cutest dog is not always the best, look for one who is happy, playful, lively, and interested in his surroundings. Steer clear of the very timid, trembling ones, as well as those that are hyperactive or snippy. The most dominant one may be more than a first time terrier owner wants to tackle. Also the runt of the litter may be more likely to have health problems that are not yet evident. Cairns usually change their coat colors over their lifetime, so picking one by color is a crap-shoot. Some owners say males are more loving and cuddly than females, but there are just as many who swear their females are the just as loveable. There are a lot of considerations in choosing your puppy, and no doubt you will want to grab one right away, but take your time choosing because hopefully you are going to be together for a long time. If you have trouble making a decision, don't be afraid to ask the breeder's opinion. All that said, you're going to love having a Cairn in your family, they are wonderful, wonderful companions. Good Luck.

[Jessica H]

Yes I went and visited with the breeder and the litter several times. I even went and saw the mother and father before the puppies were born so I had an idea of their personalities. After 5 weeks I went to pick out the puppies and she told me I could come see them whenever I wanted. I would not have wanted to buy one on the internet. They already show a lot of their personality when they are that age.

[Marty & Sherry]

Great advice on the last few posts here. Definetly buy from someone where you can see the parents & the environment they were born into. Our Emmy was born on the farm where we got here from. We met both of her parents and except for being dirty from an afternoon of running around in the pasture and swimming in the pond we were impressed with their overall appearance & personalities. We saw the whole litter as Emmy was the first to go. She was exactly 8 weeks old when we got her. We also got to meet a full sibling of hers but from the litter before. Crazy little dog & Emmy acts just like her. This breeder had 5 adult dogs total & there were kept like pets. Litters are house raised. All pretty much what we were looking for.

[cairnsby3]

In my case, the breeders picked the puppy for me, but of course I went and saw them and at least one parent before making the final decision. They were picked because of the puppy's personality for what I wanted to do. My first, was my first terrier, so when the breeder said one boy was laid back that's what I wanted. Later I got into competitive obedience and agility and wanted more life and drive. Since the breeders wanted their puppies to do well in these things, they made the choices. Also breeders that show may want to hold on to puppies a little longer to decide which they want to keep as conformation dogs and which will be sold to performance or pet homes. Shiner was 5 months old when I got him, because I wanted a male and his breeders couldn't decide which male out of the two they wanted to keep. So don't be surprised if a breeder doesn't give you choice of any puppy in the litter. But they live with the puppies 24/7 and know their personalities based on what your lifestyle is.

[Greg P]

There is a reason they call them "bitches".

Sorry! Couldn't resist!

PS, She's playing! Really!

[jetersmom]

I have two males, one is clearly Alpha, the other Beta. I am, however, the QUEEN here.

They get along great which I don't believe has anything to do with their gender but everything to do with their personalities. Good luck whatever you decide.

[IwantOneToo!]

Wonderful stories. Thank you for all the responses. I would be going through the American Kennel that deals with Cairn Terriers. I was just looking through the Internet just to see what is available out there, you just never know where the Cairn come from when dealing with the internet, that is the scary part.

I have lots of time to research. We are waiting a year before we add a pet to our home. I watched a video above showing Cairn Terriers running around in the snow. The Cairn terriers shown were fast little dogs, do they slow down a little when they get older? Is there such thing as a quiet/peaceful Cairn? Is it the age? I would want a dog that would follow me around, keep me company, go on walks and a lovely personality. Is there a time when the terriers just need to get outside and release all of that built up energy?

I know lots of questions, but you guys are great with all the information I have learn so far.

Linda

[bradl]

"When did your pup calm down?"