FCI-Standard No. 4/12.03.1998/GB
Cairn Terrier

• FCI Standard 4/12.03.1998/GB
  — This links directly to the FCI Standard document in Word Format which has been converted here for ease of viewing.

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FCI-Standard No. 4 / 12.03.1998 / GB

ORIGIN : Great Britain.

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD : 24.06.1987.

UTILIZATION : Terrier.

CLASSIFICATION F.C.I. : Group 3 Terriers. Section 2 Small-sized Terriers. Without working trial.

GENERAL APPEARANCE

Agile, alert, of workmanlike, natural appearance. Standing well forward on forepaws. Strong quarters. Deep in rib, very free in movement. Weather-resistant coat.

BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT

Should impress as being active, game and hardy. Fearless and gay disposition ; assertive but not aggressive.

HEAD

Small, but in proportion to body. Well furnished.

CRANIAL REGION

Skull : Broad ; a decided indentation between the eyes.
Stop : Definite.

FACIAL REGION :

Nose : Black.
Muzzle : Powerful.
Jaws/Teeth : Teeth large. Jaw strong, but not long or heavy with perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. Upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
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.

NECK

Well set on, not short.

BODY

Back : Level, medium length.
Loin : Strong, supple
Chest : Well sprung deep ribs.

TAIL

Short, balanced, well furnished with hair but not feathery. Neither high nor low set, carried gaily but not turned down torwards back.

LIMBS

FOREQUARTERS : Forelegs medium length, good but not too heavy bone. Covered with harsh hair.
Shoulders : Sloping.
Elbow : Never out at elbow.

HINDQUARTERS : Thighs : Very strong and muscular.
Stifle : With good, but not excessive bend.
Hocks : Well let down, inclining neither in nor out when viewed from the rear.

FEET : Forefeet, larger than hind, may be slightly turned out. Pads thick and strong. Thin, narrow or spreading feet and long nails objectionable.

GAIT / MOVEMENT

Very free-flowing stride. Forelegs reaching well forward. Hindlegs giving strong propulsion. Hocks neither too close nor too wide.

COAT

HAIR : 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.

SIZE AND WEIGHT

Approximately 28-31 cm (11-12 ins) at withers, but in proportion to weight-ideally 6-7,5 kg (14-16 lbs).

FAULTS

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.

Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.

N.B. : Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.