Hello!

This is my first post on this forum, and I look forward to reading/learning more.

I own a small biz and we are starting a program in coorperation with our local pound/shelter.....basically businesses taking responsibility (sponsoring) dogs in our community. Well--I'm the first one to do it (I'm helping start the program), and I brought home my first "foster" dog a week ago......a little rascal of a dog I'd never heard of.....a CAIRN TERRIER!!

I named him Herbert, and after one week, it is going to be awful to see him go!! We've really gotten attached to him (me and my other two dogs). In the last week I've read up a lot on the breed and have been fascinated. What a cool dog! But I've got a few questions on which I'd like some input. As well, if anyone has anything else they'd like to add/advise me on, I'll ears. Here is my dog situation:

---I've got two 5yr old boxers (m and f), in-and-out dogs. Herbert is 1-2yrs.

Questions:

1) Do Cairns tend to be a solo dog? He is crazy hyper and fun, but doesn't seem to want to play much w/ my boxers. He doesn't chase/like to be chased, play fight, etc. In fact, today was the first real group event.....I got him and my male to play tug of war together---Herbert had a blast! My boxer has always enjoyed that, and although Herbert got slung off the ground and through the air (literally:)), he had a blast. Besides that, the only goofy playing he wants to do is with me, or by himself.

2) He seems to sneeze A LOT. Otherwise perfectly healthy, etc.....just seems to sneeze frequently.

3) Hardest thing is the eating thing...I understand they game weight real fast. I always just keep food out, as my boxers are thin and don't gain weight. We are working on that.

4) I'm thinking about sub-contracting him out to an excavating company!!! No doubt, he enjoys digging and de-sodding my yard!! Is there anything I can offer him to take away this desire?? Honestly, I really don't care, but I'm trying to teach/train him on some of these things so he'll be a good pet to anyone that would get him.

5) Is there any coat/skin maintenance I should be doing for him?? He was staying boarded at a vet clinic, and I know they de-flea. As soon as I got him I bathed him and put some Frontline knock-off stuff on him. Please advise on anything specific I should be doing for him----I've never owned a long haired dog so anything that might seem like common sense may not be to me:)

Thanks for any/all help!! I'll try and attach a pic of Herbert tomorrow. I'm sure some purists may read these questions and be frustrated that I didn't know the answers prior to getting him---but hey, if you saw where he came from, I don't think there is any I could do to be more neglectful than that. He gets tons of attention, fun, bones, huge fenced yard......but just a few basic things I'm behind on!! So thanks for any help!!

JON

oh yeah, one more thing.....

Can someone give me a phonetical pronounciation of "Cairn"?? I looked around, and still can't find the correct way in which it is said!! Thanks!

Edited October 27, 200816 yr by HerbertTheCairn

It sounds like Karen

Ours sneeze when they want to play or want attention.

Edited October 27, 200816 yr by Aurora5000

I actually thought it sounded like "care" with an "n" at the end. One syllable. But I don't know. That's just how I say it.

As for the digging thing, Cairns were bred to do just that, so I'm not sure if you can train them NOT to dig. It's in their instincts. Mine will dig anything. The ottoman, the couch, a blanket laying on the floor, and any type of dirt.

For the hair/coat situation, if he hasn't been hand stripped then I would suggest doing that. It's not good to clip their cots because that doesn't get rid of the dead hair follicles at their roots. It just clips off the top. There are many topics about hand-stripping, and there is a TON of information on how to do it online. It's not too bad, though. You just kind of grab sections of their skin, and tug on the hairs. If they're ready to come out, they'll easily do so. And it doesn't hurt them at all, so don't worry about that. It just takes a while. When I stripped Sparky for the first time, I had to do it over a period of about a week. They will only lay still for you for so long, and even then I had to entice him with frozen cream cheese in his Kong.

For the food, it's not a good idea to leave it out so he can get at it anytime. Mine would eat constantly, all day long, if I let him. He always acts like he's starving, but he gets fed plenty. I feed 1/2 cup every morning, and 1/2 every night, with a few treats here and there when we train.

I think Cairns are OK being with other dogs. I don't have another dog, but my in-laws had a dachshund and he and Sparky played all the time and got along great. Sparky loves any kind of dog he comes across and always wants to play with them. Maybe Herbert just isn't used to your boxers. I'd give him a little time to get used to the situation.

I don't really know what to say about Herbert's sneezing. Sparky doesn't it when he gets into something he doesn't like very much.

Hope this helped! And be prepared to fall in love with Herbert!

Hi Jon, & welcome to you & Herbert, and your boxers. Kudos to your community & animal shelter for what sounds like a terrific program, and to you especially for taking Herbert into your home. I probably don't have answers to all of your questions, but I'm sure that you'll find lots of help here on the Forum. Do you know anything about Herbert's background? Most Cairns of his age are quite playful and active, so maybe he is simply not used to having other dogs to play with. Most likely time will cure that & he will soon be chasing those big boxers around the yard & wrestiling with them. We have 2 Cairns, a male 5 yrs. & a female 2 1/2 yrs., and they both sneeze occasionally, but not excessively. Herbert's sneezing might just be caused by his new surroundings, something in the yard or in the house, but some Cairns are allergy prone. If this continues for a week or so, a vet visit would be a good idea. Cairns are indeed subject to weight gain, so having food available on demand is probably not a good idea for Herbert. You may have to let your boxers have access to their food at certain times, while you have Herbert outdoors or otherwise occupied. Our female, Sophie, was a real digger too, until this summer when she pretty much forgot about it. She still digs once in a while, but nothing like she used to. Cairns were bred to hunt for vermin in tunnels & burrows, so the digging instinct is pretty strong. Some owners fill the holes with stones or water, and I recall one member of the Forum saying that he had even put the dog's feces in the holes!, and he claimed it worked. Personally, I just kept filling them back up with dirt, and telling her "NO Dig!", but I really think she just outgrew it. Another option is creating a designated digging area in yard, maybe adding a thick layer of sand, and putting things like toys, bones, treats in there for Herbert (and the boxers) to find. The idea being that this area is a much more rewarding place to dig than the rest of the yard. If Herbert has the typical Cairn coat, he won't require much if any bathing. In fact too much bathing is not good for the coat. Cairns are double-coated, a harsh outer coat to protect the body and shed dirt, and a soft undercoat that keeps them warm. Cutting the outer coat is not the best choice, instead plucking or pulling out the longer hairs is best. Rather than trying to describe this process, I suggest you read:CAIRN GROOMING

Hand stripping the coat sounds like an overwhelming task, but it's not really too hard to learn, and you can't do any harm since the hair will always grow back. The best thing to do is to brush the dog frequently (at least weekly) to remove dead and loose hair. Groomers who know how to hand strip Cairns are pretty hard to find.

I'm sure you will receive lots of help from Forum members, so please keep in touch and do post some pictures of all 3 of your dogs. Good Luck, and once again thank you for what you are doing for Herbert.

Jim

Welcome to the forum!

Here is a youtube video I found, the lady says Cairn Terrier many times, so you can understand how it's pronounced.

At least this is the way I pronounce it

Thank you so much for saving Herbert!

My adopted Cairn also sneezes when he wants my attention, or when he's excited when we play together. I've heard this characteristic referred to as "snorting". He almost never barks, so I think this is his way of expressing himself. He has no allergies. Like Herbert, my guy doesn't play with other dogs. He was an adult when I got him so I can't know for sure if he wasn't socialized with other dogs when he was a pup.

I strongly believe in hand-stripping, but the process can be a bit daunting for a novice. The reality is some people can't or won't do it and have their dogs clipped instead and the dogs live happy, healthy lives. Everyone should make their own decisions re stripping and I don't judge people for clipping their pets, as long as they are vigilant in monitoring their dogs skin condition closely.

I think my Cairn is pretty typical in that if I left food out all day, he would keep eating until he threw up. Cairns are known to be highly food driven. Their response to treats can be endearing and hard to resist, resulting in a tendency to become overweight if the owner is not careful.

You'll be able to get good info & guidance on this site. Cairns & Boxers should get along very well...I'm sure you are all in for lots of fun & good time ahead.

Wishing you all the best!

Hi Jon

Welcome to the group. Cairns are great dogs. I brush my guy almost daily. to get the dead hair off of him. Oscar has allergies, but he doesn't sneeze. If you do go to the vet and he says Herbert has allergies he will probably put him on Claritin or Benadryl to stop the itches or sneezes. Also if he does need a bath, try to use a gentle shampoo that won't soften his coat. Daily brushing does take the dirt and stink away usually.

I'm a little surprised Herbert doesn't want to play with your big dogs. Oscar almost prefers to play with big dogs. He loves competition.

Have fun with your rescue.

Also if he does need a bath, try to use a gentle shampoo that won't soften his coat. Daily brushing does take the dirt and stink away usually.

We use "Fresh 'n Clean" Oatmeal & Baking Soda shampoo by Lambert Kay. You can also find shampoos for wire hair coats. Just don't use any shampoos or conditioners that are designed to soften the coat. Maintaining the harsh outer coat is very important. Also, be sure to rinse very, very well to remove all shampoo residue, which can cause dry skin & itching problems.

Edited October 27, 200816 yr by jimnconnie

And can I just say that your description of a Cairn as "a little rascal of a dog" is just about the best description I've ever heard.

Thanks for all the replies and well wishes!!

Okay....I gotta get these pics up before I leave my office, I'll reply to some of the posts later.

Just to make sure----do you guys agree he is a cairn?? He doesn't look as fluffy as your pics (hence question about coat), and to me, his snout looks longer. As well, you guys' pics seem to show a dog with shaggy fur that hangs from the belly----Herbert has little hair on his belly. I've attached a pic with him flipped over to show this. Maybe they shaved up his belly at the vet??

Seems I can only post one pic at a time: BELLY PIC

Herbert face!

Herbert going CRAZY!!!

Herbert and Luca----playing "fence tag" with two dogs next door.

Herbert, Abby, and Luca........and PROOF POSITIVE I have the absolute worst camera in the world! What is up with these horrid pics?!?!

Abby lording over her minions (never doubt it---she ABSOLUTELY runs the show)

their underexposed..your not getting enough lighting

Herbert resting from a hard day of wreaking havoc, destruction, and pandamonium:)

their underexposed..your not getting enough lighting

...So are you saying the problem is with the photographer??

Herbert looks like a Cairn to me, especially how the tail sticks up. How old is he? Maybe that has something to do with the amount of hair on his stomach. My Cairn is 6 months old and I've stripped him one time, so he's still in the process of growing out his fur into the typical "Cairn" style. Maybe that's what's going on with Herbert.

Herbert looks like a Cairn to me, especially how the tail sticks up. How old is he? Maybe that has something to do with the amount of hair on his stomach. My Cairn is 6 months old and I've stripped him one time, so he's still in the process of growing out his fur into the typical "Cairn" style. Maybe that's what's going on with Herbert.

Thanks Sparky!

Re: age----I'm told 1-2yrs, and that seems about right to me. Quick ? Sparky: I see you are in Ark...north part by chance? I am in Spfld, MO, and I was curious if you could recommend somewhere I could take him to get his coat maintained, and maybe teach me to do it.

Hi Jon, & welcome to you & Herbert, and your boxers. Kudos to your community & animal shelter for what sounds like a terrific program, and to you especially for taking Herbert into your home. I probably don't have answers to all of your questions, but I'm sure that you'll find lots of help here on the Forum. Do you know anything about Herbert's background? Most Cairns of his age are quite playful and active, so maybe he is simply not used to having other dogs to play with. Most likely time will cure that & he will soon be chasing those big boxers around the yard & wrestiling with them. We have 2 Cairns, a male 5 yrs. & a female 2 1/2 yrs., and they both sneeze occasionally, but not excessively. Herbert's sneezing might just be caused by his new surroundings, something in the yard or in the house, but some Cairns are allergy prone. If this continues for a week or so, a vet visit would be a good idea. Cairns are indeed subject to weight gain, so having food available on demand is probably not a good idea for Herbert. You may have to let your boxers have access to their food at certain times, while you have Herbert outdoors or otherwise occupied. Our female, Sophie, was a real digger too, until this summer when she pretty much forgot about it. She still digs once in a while, but nothing like she used to. Cairns were bred to hunt for vermin in tunnels & burrows, so the digging instinct is pretty strong. Some owners fill the holes with stones or water, and I recall one member of the Forum saying that he had even put the dog's feces in the holes!, and he claimed it worked. Personally, I just kept filling them back up with dirt, and telling her "NO Dig!", but I really think she just outgrew it. Another option is creating a designated digging area in yard, maybe adding a thick layer of sand, and putting things like toys, bones, treats in there for Herbert (and the boxers) to find. The idea being that this area is a much more rewarding place to dig than the rest of the yard. If Herbert has the typical Cairn coat, he won't require much if any bathing. In fact too much bathing is not good for the coat. Cairns are double-coated, a harsh outer coat to protect the body and shed dirt, and a soft undercoat that keeps them warm. Cutting the outer coat is not the best choice, instead plucking or pulling out the longer hairs is best. Rather than trying to describe this process, I suggest you read:CAIRN GROOMING

Hand stripping the coat sounds like an overwhelming task, but it's not really too hard to learn, and you can't do any harm since the hair will always grow back. The best thing to do is to brush the dog frequently (at least weekly) to remove dead and loose hair. Groomers who know how to hand strip Cairns are pretty hard to find.

I'm sure you will receive lots of help from Forum members, so please keep in touch and do post some pictures of all 3 of your dogs. Good Luck, and once again thank you for what you are doing for Herbert.

Jim

Thanks for your input, Jim!

Here are a few answers to your questions:

*I know nothing at all of Herbert's past, except what I've learned from being around him. I know his age to be 1-2, and that seems right to me. Seems like he wasn't disciplined wherever he came from---I say that by the fact he "marks" inside my house. Doesn't seem like he was ever abused---he recovers quickly from a scolding and seems to understand correction. Only other thing is that he seems as though he hasn't played with other dogs much---doesn't quite know how to act/what to expect.

I'm going to read your link on Cairn Coat Care. What a cool dog----he does better and better every day. Each day, he and my other dogs are willing to lay closer and closer to each other on the sofa. He is marking less and less. Oh yeah----his jaw strength is UNREAL!! He can destroy a bone faster than my boxers. Finally last night I got him some of those big cow knuckle bones to work on......and he has definitely been working!! He is waaaay more of a chewer than my boxers ever were.

Herbert definately looks like a Cairn to me!

Cairns will definately grab ahold of your heart

I'm actually in central Arkansas. I haven't really researched Cairn groomers in the state or anything because I'm going to try to do it myself. But if his second stripping in a few months turns out to be too much of a handful, I might be willing to drive wherever I need to in order to have someone do it for me.

maybe try finding a breeder in your area maybe they can help show you how to do it...

col potter cairn rescue they have some info on grooming