The Cairland Terrier is a small, cute, and adorable looking designer dog. If you are looking to own a cute sized, affectionate, and smart pooch, then this breed will not let you down.
A recently developed designer dog, this breed is a mixture of the Cairn Terrier and the West Highland White Terrier.
Yes, both of them are genetically related, which makes it utterly brilliant.
You get to enjoy the best of both breeds in one compact and cute pooch.
Cairland Terrier Origin
The exact origin or how this mixed breed was developed is still unknown, and no sources have been found so far. However, through research, inferences can be made based upon the parents.
The Cairn Terrier and the West Highland White Terrier come from the same family of ancestors. Both were used for hunting badgers, otters and foxes on the highlands of Scotland.
There are, however, slight differences among the two breeds.
The Cairn Terrier is known to have originated from the Isle of Skye in Scotland and have been present since the 1600s.
The Cairn Terrier got its name due to its ability to dig into a cairn ( a mound of stones used as a boundary to mark graves) and rout out rodents and critters.
By the 20th century, Terrier fanciers started to make distinctions between the various Terriers and started breed Cain Terriers separately.
The Cairn Terrier was recognized as a breed in 1913 by American Kennel Club.
On the other hand, the West Highland White Terrier has its lineage dating back to the 1600s century when King James I ordered for some “earth dogs” from Argyllshire.
These Scottish dogs were actually bred for attacking vermin and for hunting purposes by farmers and nobles in Scotland.
The white color of the terriers can be attributed to Colonel Malcolm, who decided to only breed white terriers.
This was after he accidentally shot down his reddish brown colored terrier while hunting.
These terriers were known as Poltalloch terriers or Roseneath Terriers.
They were bred for hundreds of years before they made an appearance at dog shows.
It first appeared in 1896 at a Scottish dog show and was named as West Highland White Terrier based on the northwestern Scotland where the breed was famous.
Westie Cairn Mix Physical Characteristics
The small-sized Cairland Terrier has the best physical characteristics of both its parents. They have strong muscular legs, distinctive of a Terrier with short perky ears.
It has a compact body with rounded eyes and a buttoned nose. The tail is short and stands erect just like any Terrier.
It has a medium length muzzle and double coated fur just like its parents. Their fur is very dense but straight that makes it little easier to maintain.
Some of its important physical characteristics are:
- Height: Males 9-11 inches; Females 8-10 inches
- Weight: Males 14-21 lbs; Females 13-21 lbs
- Eye Color: Brown
- Nose Color: Black
- Coat Color: Coat color can have a wide range of colors with many possibilities of different coat colors. They are- white, black, brindle, fawn, red, brown, cream, and gray.
- Coat Length: Ranges from medium to a little long
- Coat Density: Very Dense coat
- Coat Texture: thick straight coat which can be shaggy and wiry on the inside because of the density.
Temperament and Personality Traits
The Cairland Terrier is a spunky, energetic, fun-loving and affectionate breed. They are loyal and faithful to their owner.
They can also be laid-back at times and find pleasure in just lying leisurely on the bed or on the couch. It totally depends on what mood they are in.
There are many things to love in a Cairland Terrier, with their love for outdoor games to playing happily with kids.
Some of the distinctive personality traits of a Cairland Terrier are:
Friendly
The Cairland Terrier is known to be quite a friendly dog, unlike most Terriers. However, this friendly-nature may not show in front of other dogs.
This breed is affectionate towards kids and loves playing with them. There are no instances where he will show aggression to the people he knows well.
Intelligent and Curious
The Cairland Terriers are highly intelligent dogs and have a keen sense of curiosity always. Their stubbornness may not let them learn tricks easily, but they are quick to grasp once they pay attention.
Their sense of curiosity is a trait from the ancestors who were basically hunters. These Terriers want to know everything that’s happening around them.
They also have the habit of running behind critters, which is not a very desirable trait.
Stubbornness
Though the Cairn Terrier is comparatively less stubborn than other Terriers, the West of Highland Terrier is not so. The Cairland Terrier, therefore, is stubborn and will take a lot of your time and patience while training.
Their stubbornness makes it difficult to teach him skills and tricks, but with plenty of treats, he will do just fine.
Very Vocal
The Cairland Terriers tend to be very vocal about their emotions and may start barking excessively at strangers or other dogs and animals.
However, with proper training, this habit can be controlled.
Independent Thinkers
This is one of the most interesting and distinct characters of the Terrier. They have a mind of their own and will not easily listen to instructions or commands.
You need to let them know that you are the leader of the house and train him accordingly.
Health and Conditions Specific to Cairland Terriers
The Cairland Terriers are healthy animals with a life span of 12-15 years on an average. With proper care and attention, this breed can even live up to 20 years.
While there are no major health issues seen in Cairland Terrier till date, it is better to take note of the various genetic diseases seen in both the parents.
One of the common problems seen in most Terrier breeds is bone and joint diseases.
Some of them are the luxating patella, hip dysplasia, and others such as Legg-Carve-Pethes which is also a hip disease.
The young Terriers can also suffer from “lion jaw” disease as puppies. They are also prone to various skin allergies and eye infections.
Some of the other diseases that the Cairland Terrier is prone to are deafness, craniomandibular osteopathy, Von Willebrand diseases, etc.
These diseases can be easily kept at bay with regular checkups by the vet.
It is recommended to do a full body physical examination (including the joints), eye checkup, skin allergies tests, and others as soon as you get your Terrier home.
Cairland Terriers are also prone to weight gain if their diet is not properly checked. Make sure that you take him out regularly for a 30-minute walk or run every day.
Obesity shortens the life of a dog, and hence, proper attention should be given.
This breed of Terrier is a moderate shedder, and its long straight coat will need brushing at least once or twice a week. Since the fur is thick, it may be entangled and wired deep down.
It is recommended to strip off the dead hair at least twice a year. This will keep the coat healthy and silky.
Bathing can be kept to a minimum, but the hair needs to be trimmed depending on the length. Nails should be trimmed once in two weeks at least.
Diet and Nutrition Information
The Cairland Terrier needs to be fed high-quality food, whether homemade or packaged food.
It should be a balanced diet with the right proportion of carbohydrates, fiber, and protein.
These Terriers are busy animals and need high-protein food to feed their body’s needs. The food should have a high-calorific value depending on the age and size of the dog.
However, it should be noted that Cairland Terriers tend to have a sensitive stomach, and hence, the quality and quantity of food should be proper.
Dogs that are the size of the Terrier and is active will require around 600-700 kilocalories in a day. And inactive dogs will require approximately 450 kilocalories per day.
The portion size is also very important. Do not feed your Cairland Terrier large portions at once.
Instead, give equally divided small meals 2-3 times a day.
Plan the meals in such a way that there is enough time between each meal in order to help the dog digest the food properly.
The protein content in the food should be from meat such as beef, lamb, and fish. Packaged foods that contain by-products such as wheat and soy should be avoided.
Wheat can be harsh or act as an allergen for the Terriers. It won’t be a good idea to give wheat to a Terrier’s sensitive stomach.
It is also recommended to give a diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids or salmon oil for a healthy coat.
Cairland Terrier Pros and Cons
Pros
- Small, compact and is perfect for small apartments
- Friendly and fun-loving
- Affectionate towards kids and loves playing with kids
- Intelligent and curious about surroundings
- Attractive looking dog breed with long and straight hair
- Loyal and faithful to its owner
Cons
- Stubborn and may take time to learn tricks and commands
- Likes digging and chasing critters
- Need to exercise regularly
- Tends to bark excessively at strangers and other dogs
3 Commonly Asked Questions About the Westie Cairn Mixed Breed
1. Is the Cairland Terrier easy to train?
Cairland Terriers are highly intelligent animals and can grasp whatever they are taught very quickly. However, the only problem is their stubbornness.
Because of their stubbornness, they take time to listen to the commands and instructions of the owners.
They are also independent- thinkers and like to do whatever they want to.
You need to show your Terrier who is in charge and make him know that you are his master and the leader. Use training strategies that will have his full attention.
It is recommended to keep a lot of treats handy since these Terriers will listen to you only if they get something in return.
Is the Cairland Terrier easy to maintain?
Yes, this Terrier does not need as much grooming as the other Terriers and is easy to maintain.
Their coat needs to be brushed once in a week and trimmed if the length becomes uncomfortable for the dog.
The nails also need to be trimmed regularly.
These Terriers are fun loving and can even leisurely sit on a couch while you are busy doing other things.
But, you will need to take them out regularly for a walk or a run since they are prone to obesity.
How does the Cairland Terrier behave with kids and animals?
The Cairland Terriers are quite lovable towards kids, and they love to play with them continuously. They need love and affection, and hence having kids around them is a bonus point.
It is a good idea to involve the kids in the training session to make it more fun for the dog.
However, in the case of other animals, it is not always the case. He can become aggressive and start barking when he sees other animals.
It is always recommended to let your Terrier socialize with other animals at an early age. This will make him more accustomed to seeing other animals.
Final Thoughts
The Cairland Terrier is a spunky, active and cute little dog which is becoming very popular these days. Their tough yet adorable demeanor makes them very attractive and desirable.
Their small size is perfect for any size of space, and they can be easily carried around along with us.
This Terrier will be a loyal companion and a great addition to your family. Their cute and adorable face will be something you will miss every time you leave the house.