Cairn Breed Standard
Comparison Chart

History / Origin and Purpose:	CKC: (Not indicated in Standard.) AKC: (Not indicated in Standard.) UKC: The Cairn Terrier was developed in Scotland to hunt otter, fox and other vermin along the shoreline. The Scottish, West Highland White and Cairn terriers were developed from the same stock, first called Scotch terriers and later Skye terriers. The three were often found in the same litter, distinguished only by color. The Cairn first competed for challenge certificates in England in 1912. The Cairn Terrier was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1959. KC: (Not indicated in Standard.) FCI: (Not indicated in Standard.)
General Appearance:	CKC: Same as KC Standard. AKC: 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. UKC: A small working terrier, agile and alert, with a shaggy, weather resistant coat and a natural appearance. KC: Agile, alert, of workmanlike, natural appearance. Standing well forward on forepaws. Strong quarters. Deep in rib, very free in movement. Weather-resistant coat. FCI: Same as KC Standard.
Temperament / Characteristics:	CKC: Same as KC Standard. AKC: (Not indicated in Standard.) UKC: Characteristics - Active and game, with a fearless, gay but not aggressive disposition. KC: Characteristics - Should impress as being active, game and hardy. Temperament - Fearless and gay disposition; assertive but not aggressive. FCI: Same as KC Standard.
Size, Proportion and Substance:	(Note that the Kennel Club (UK) Standard indicates a wider range in weight as well as a taller dog - 11 to 12 inches vs. the American Kennel Club and United Kennel Club Standards which call for an ideal weight of 14 pounds and a height of 9½ to 10 inches.) CKC: Same as KC Standard. AKC: 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, 9½ inches; dogs, 10 inches. Length of body from 14¼ 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. UKC: Height & Weight - Height: 11 to 12 inches in height Weight: 14 to 16 pounds in weight. KC: Approximately 28-31 cms (11-12 ins) at withers, but in proportion to weight – ideally 6-7.5 kgs (14-16 lbs). FCI: Same as KC Standard.
Coat and Colour:	(Note that the American Kennel Club Standard accepts any colour except white whereas the Kennel Club and the United Kennel Club accept cream, wheaten, red, grey or nearly black with brindling being acceptable and solid black, white or black and tan are not acceptable in the Kennel Club Standard.) CKC: Same as KC Standard. AKC: 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. UKC: Coat - Very important. Weather resistant. Must be double coated with profuse, harsh, but not coarse, outer coat; undercoat short, soft and close. A slight wave is permissible. Open coats are objectionable. Color - Cream, wheaten, red, gray or nearly black. Brindling in these colors acceptable. Dark ears, muzzle and tail tip are typical. KC: Coat - Very important. Weather-resistant. Must be double-coated, with profuse, harsh, but not coarse, outer coat; undercoat short, soft and close. Open coats objectionable. Slight wave permissible. Colour - Cream, wheaten, red, grey or nearly black. Brindling in all these colours acceptable. Not solid black, or white, or black and tan. Dark points, such as ears and muzzle, very typical. FCI: Same as KC Standard.
Head:	CKC: Same as KC Standard. AKC: 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. UKC: The head is shorter and wider than on any of the other terriers, and well furnished with hair, giving the dog a somewhat foxy expression. SKULL - Is broad in proportion to its length and there is a decided stop. MUZZLE - Powerful, with strong jaws, but they are not long or heavy. TEETH - A full complement of strong, large, white teeth meet in a scissors bite. EYES - Set wide apart and fairly deep, medium in size, dark hazel in color. Shaggy eyebrows. NOSE - Black. EARS - Small and pointed, well carried and erect. Not too closely set nor heavily furnished. KC: Head small, but in proportion to body. Skull broad; a decided indentation between the eyes with a definite stop. Muzzle powerful, jaw strong but not long or heavy. Nose black . Head well furnished. Eyes Wide apart, medium in size, dark hazel. Slightly sunk with shaggy eyebrows. Ears Small, pointed, well carried and erect, not too closely set nor heavily coated. Mouth Large teeth. Jaws strong with perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. FCI: Same as KC Standard.
Neck:	CKC: Same as KC Standard. AKC: (Not indicated in AKC Standard.) UKC: Same as KC Standard. KC: Well set on, not short. FCI: Same as KC Standard.
Forequarters:	CKC: Same as KC Standard. AKC: 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. UKC: Sloping shoulders. FORELEGS - Medium length of leg with good, but not too heavy bone. Forelegs never out at the elbows. Legs perfectly straight, but feet may turn slightly out. Covered with harsh hair. Feet - Thick, strong pads. Forefeet larger than hind feet. Thin or splayed feet are objectionable. KC: Sloping shoulders, medium length of leg, good but not too heavy bone. Forelegs never out at elbow. Legs covered with harsh hair. Forefeet larger than hind, may be slightly turned out. Pads thick and strong. Thin, narrow or spreading feet and long nails objectionable. FCI: Same as KC Standard.
Body:	CKC: Same as KC Standard. AKC: 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. UKC: The back is level, of medium length, and ribs are well sprung and deep. Strong, supple loin. KC: Back level, medium length. Well sprung deep ribs; strong supple loin. FCI: Same as KC Standard.
Hindquarters:	CKC: Same as KC Standard. AKC: Strong hindquarters UKC: HIND LEGS - Very strong and muscular thighs. Good, but not excessive bend of stifle. Hocks well let down, inclining neither in nor out when viewed from the rear. Feet - Thick, strong pads. Forefeet larger than hind feet. Thin or splayed feet are objectionable. KC: Very strong muscular thighs. Good, but not excessive, bend of stifle. Hocks well let down inclining neither in nor out when viewed from the rear. FCI: Same as KC Standard.
Tail:	CKC: Same as KC Standard. AKC: In proportion to head, well furnished with hair but not feathery. Carried gaily but must not curl over back. Set on at back level. UKC: Short, in balance with the head, well furnished with hair, but not feathery. Neither high nor low set, carried gaily, but not curled over back. KC: Short, balanced, well furnished with hair but not feathery. Neither high nor low set, carried gaily but not turned down towards back. FCI: Same as KC Standard.
Gait:	CKC: Same as KC Standard. AKC: (Not indicated in AKC Standard.) UKC: Free flowing, with good reach and drive. KC: Very free-flowing stride. Forelegs reaching well forward. Hindlegs giving strong propulsion. Hocks neither too close nor too wide. FCI: Same as KC Standard.
Faults:	CKC: Same as KC Standard. AKC: Skull - Too narrow in skull. Muzzle - Too long and heavy a foreface; mouth overshot or undershot. Eyes - Too large, prominent, yellow, and ringed are all objectionable. Ears - Too large, round at points, set too close together, set too high on the head; heavily covered with hair. 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. 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. 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. Nose - Flesh or light-colored nose. Color - White on chest, feet or other parts of body. UKC: KC: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog. Note - Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum. FCI: Same as KC Standard.
Disqualifications:	CKC: (Not indicated in Standard.) AKC: (Not indicated in Standard.) UKC: Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. Albinism. KC: (Not indicated in Standard.) FCI: Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.

© P.Mitchell - 2006 All Rights Reserved
All content, including graphics, on the Canada's Guide to Dogs Website is Copyright-P.Mitchell,
unless otherwise noted, and may not be copied or reproduced without prior written permission.

<<Back to Cairn Terrier Breed>>

  Page Added: 30 October 2008