|
Cairn History
There is evidence that one of the oldest-known strains of
Cairn, or "Short-haired Skye Terrier," as the breed was
generally known at the turn of the century, was founded by
Captain Martin MacLoed of Drynock, Isle of Skye. Captain MacLoed
was a great Highland sportsman and an enthusiastic otter hunter.
He maintained a pack of silver grey Short-haired Skye Terriers
for forty years before emigrating to Canada in 1854. The Drynock
strain was kept alive by Mr. John Macdonald, Bridge of Ose
Kennels, Isle of Sky. Mr. Macdonald was a gamekeeper to the Clan
Chief MacLeod of McLeod, Dunvegan Castle, for more than forty
years. In 1917 he wrote that he and his brother had this Drynock
strain for the last seventy years. The Mackinnos of Kilbride was
another kennel of good Short-haired Skye Terriers. These terriers
were descendents of an old breed owned by Farquhar Kelly of
Drumfearn, Isle of Skye in the seventeenth century. All of these
strains played a part in the early lines of the breeds pioneers.
Mrs. Alastair Campbell and Mary Hawke were the pioneers of the
Cairn Terrier as we know it today. It was their persistence that
led to the Cairn Terrier being recognized by The Kennel Club in
1910. On May 29, 1912 The Kennel Club Committee gave the Cairn
Terrier a separate register. The Cairn could now compete at
designated championship shows in the United Kingdom.
In 1933 one of the most influential and important Cairns of
all time was whelped. Eng. Ch. Splinters of Twobees would go on
to indelibly mark the breed. The winner of eight CCs and his
prowess as a stud dog made Splinters an important contributor to
setting the type we know today. Splinters can be found in the
pedigrees of many of the top winning and producing dogs of today.
Mrs. Henry F. Price and Mrs. Byron Rodgers are credited with
gaining approval of the Cairn Terrier in the United States. Mrs.
Price imported the first Cairn Terriers to the United States in
1913 and owned the first Cairn Registered by the American Kennel
Club Sandy Peter out of the West. In 1917 the Cairn Terrier Club
of America was granted membership in the American Kennel Club.
The genesis of the American Cairn lays with the importation of
Eng. Ch. Redletter McRuffie by Betty Hyslop to Canada. McRuffie,
a great grandson of Ch. Splinters of Twobees, was bred by Walter
Bradshaw of Redletter fame. McRuffie and his descendents Ch.
Cairnwoods Quince and Ch. Cairmar Fancy Dresser would forever
stamp their names in the history of the Cairn in the United
States. One is hard pressed today to find a Cairn without one of
the above dogs in the pedigree.
This info courtesy of the Cairn Terrier Club of
America
Cairn Breed Standard
General Appearance
That of an active, game, hardy, small working terrier of the
short-legged class; very free in its movements, strongly but not
heavily built, standing well forward on its forelegs, deep in the
ribs, well coupled with strong hindquarters and presenting a
well-proportioned build with a medium length of back, having a
hard, weather-resisting coat; head shorter and wider than any
other terrier and well furnished with hair giving a general foxy
expression.
Head
Skull-Broad in proportion to length with a
decided stop and well furnished with hair on the top of the head,
which may be somewhat softer than the body coat. Muzzle-Strong
but not too long or heavy. Teeth-Large, mouth
neither overshot nor undershot. Nose-Black. Eyes-Set
wide apart, rather sunken, with shaggy eyebrows, medium in size,
hazel or dark hazel in color, depending on body color, with a
keen terrier expression. Ears-Small, pointed,
well carried erectly, set wide apart on the side of the head.
Free from long hairs.
Tail
In proportion to head, well furnished with hair but not
feathery. Carried gaily but must not curl over back. Set on at
back level.
Body
Well-muscled, strong, active body with well-sprung, deep ribs,
coupled to strong hindquarters, with a level back of medium
length, giving an impression of strength and activity without
heaviness.
Shoulders, Legs and Feet
A sloping shoulder, medium length of leg, good but not too
heavy bone; forelegs should not be out at elbows, and be
perfectly straight, but forefeet may be slightly turned out.
Forefeet larger than hind feet. Legs must be covered with hard
hair. Pads should be thick and strong and dog should stand well
up on its feet.
Coat
Hard and weather-resistant. Must be double-coated with profuse
harsh outer coat and short, soft, close furry undercoat.
Color
May be of any color except white. Dark ears, muzzle and tail
tip are desirable.
Ideal Size
Involves the weight, the height at the withers and the length
of body. Weight for bitches, 13 pounds; for dogs, 14 pounds.
Height at the withers-bitches, 9-1/2 inches; dogs, 10 inches.
Length of body from 14-1/4 to 15 inches from the front of the
chest to back of hindquarters. The dog must be of balanced
proportions and appear neither leggy nor too low to ground; and
neither too short nor too long in body. Weight and measurements
are for matured dogs at two years of age. Older dogs may weigh
slightly in excess and growing dogs may be under these weights
and measurements.
Condition
Dogs should be shown in good hard flesh, well muscled and
neither too fat or thin. Should be in full good coat with plenty
of head furnishings, be clean, combed, brushed and tidied up on
ears, tail, feet and general outline. Should move freely and
easily on a loose lead, should not cringe on being handled,
should stand up on their toes and show with marked terrier
characteristics.
FAULTS
1.Skull-Too narrow in skull.
2.Muzzle-Too long and heavy a foreface; mouth
overshot or undershot.
3.Eyes-Too large, prominent, yellow, and ringed
are all objectionable.
4.Ears-Too large, round at points, set too close
together, set too high on the head; heavily covered with hair.
5.Legs and Feet-Too light or too heavy bone.
Crooked forelegs or out at elbow. Thin, ferrety feet; feet let
down on the heel or too open and spread. Too high or too low on
the leg.
6.Body-Too short back and compact a body,
hampering quickness of movement and turning ability. Too long,
weedy and snaky a body, giving an impression of weakness. Tail
set on too low. Back not level.
7.Coat-Open coats, blousy coats, too short or
dead coats, lack of sufficient undercoat, lack of head
furnishings, lack of hard hair on the legs. Silkiness or
curliness. A slight wave permissible.
8.Nose-Flesh or light-colored nose.
9.Color-White on chest, feet or other parts of
body.
This information courtesty of the AKC
|
