Do I have a cairn?

[Amber]

I have what I thought was a one year old cairn. I bought her in a pet store and she came with papers. But when I went to the vet he thought I had a australian terrier. When we looked them up in a book they look so much a like. My dog is solid red/biege color and wiehgs 12 pounds. I still love my little dog...but it would be nice to know what I have. Can anyone help?

[CathyAnn]

Hard to tell from your description.....both breeds have alot of similarities.

Do you have a photo of your dog to post here?

Cathy

[CallisMom]

It could be that your vet just isn't famliar with Cairns - and HAS seen an Australian Terrier. The first vet I went to had to ask - I'm actually not sure if she had ever seen a Cairn or not - she didn't seem at all familiar with the breed - one of the reasons I switched vets (but not the only).

[Amber]

Cathy,

I am sorry to say I don't have a picture posted. I will have to get a scanner.

The vet said that cairns aren't usually as small as her. (12lb.s)

[CarCarDawn]

Hi! I have a male Cairn that weighs only 14 pounds and he is 15 months old. My dog had a "liver shunt" that possibly stunted him a little bit - - he had corrective surgery and is a really good eater but doesn't seem to gain a lot of weight even though he is a rascal and very, very active. Could be you just have a small version of a Cairn!!

[bradl]

Compare and contrast

Random Australian Terrier Images | Random Cairn Terrier Images

(see also: this gallery)

[Amber]

Brad, thank you for the photos. It seems my dogs tail is longer than the australian terrier. Which has me thinking she is a cairn like I thought.

[CallisMom]

Amber - also - the breed standard for females is 13 pounds - so although many cairns weigh more these days - 12 pounds at a year old doesn't seem that unusual.

[kayharley]

If she runs the other way when you call her, she's a Cairn. If she has perpetual energy, she's a Cairn. If she's stubborn, willfull and has mischief in her eyes, she's a Cairn. BUT, then again, I suppose an Australian terrier can have many of the same attributes a Cairn does.

[JRM]

Also - it's easier to think 2 things are alike when they are not side by side. Molly is quite light and a lot of people think that she is like a Westie or is a Westie.

My mum has a wee Westie and believe me, when they are side by side they look nothing alike. Maybe this explains your vets thoughts?

Anyway, I think the Australian Terrier looks more like a Yorkie.

[wags]

Gee, that's funny. THAT's what I saw today- I kept thinking that dog looked alot like my Wes, but was a little taller and his ears were flopped over. But he was just as lovable.

[toomanypaws]

I have two female cairns that one might question what they are. They definitely aren't show quality, both have WAY too large of ears and too long of tails but they both are so loving and adorable. One tips the scales at 17 lbs and the other is only 10 1/2 lbs but she's also only 7 mths so may gain another pound or two, not sure. To make matters worse, I had them both groomed and the older one came back looking like some kind of scottie/schnauzer cross

[Guest Grumpy]

I have had both ........an Aussie (cos Im a patriotic Aussie ) and a Cairn, and the physical similarity is striking. Maybe because one of the predominant breeds that contributed to the Aussie was the Cairn. Thats where the similarity ends in my experience......The Aussie hade grace, poise and absolutely no sense of humour (a lot like me really) whereas my Georgie is a stumbling fumbling idiot with more charm than Hugh Grant, (but with much the same expression) and knows that acting like the local 3 ring circus will get her all the pats and snacks she desires!!!!!!