BACKGROUND - PURPOSE:
The Cairnterrier Is from the islands of Scotland; Skye, Mull and Harris and
from the county of Inverness, who is located on the Scottish highland inside
the Hebrides.
TERRA - EARTH:
From the beginning they looked like distinct variety of long bodied, long
legged rough- haired terriers. They were called "earth doggies" or "terrier"
(from the Latin word "terra" that means earth.) These dogs were meant to
protect sheep's, lambs and hens from foxes, who could take the hens and
lambs by daylight. It was considered necessary to own a several individuals
of these dogs by as well poor farmers as estate owners. This variety is the
founder to the Cairnterrier of today.
RECOGNIZED AS IT OWN RACE:
The year 1908 people tried to introduce the race under the name short-
haired Skyeterrrier, which caused a lots of protests from the Skyeterrier
owners. Instead they tried with the name White Highland Terrier, but the
owners of this race protested as high as the owner of the Skyeterrier had.
Finally the race got the name Cairnterrier and was recognized as it own race
in 1910.
CAIRN - MOUND OF STONES:
Cairn is from a Gaelic word and means "mound of stones". It is referring
back to the breed’s main aria of use - as a burrower and exterminator of
noxious animals. At the island of Skye three Scottish families was living;
MC Kinnon from Kilbride, Mac Donald from Waternish and Mac Leod from Drynoch.
They are considered to be the owners of the founder of our Cairnterriers
today. At that point the breed was called Kilbride Skyes, Waternish Skyes
and Drynoch Skyes. Those dogs was working-dogs and very rare at Shows, but a
long- haired variety that was very popular and often seen in the rings.
Among many owners you will find Queen Victoria as one. The lady who really
introduced the breed at the Shows was Mrs. Campbell. In 1909 she put up
three dogs under the name short- haired Skyeterrier at a show. The owners of
the Skyeterrier loudly protested meaning that this rough- haired dogs had
nothing in common with theirs lovely long- haired ones.
THE CAIRN TERRIER CLUB:
The kennel club of England recognized the breed in 1910 and the same year
the breeding club was established. Mac Donald from Waternish became chairman
and Mrs. Campbell secretary. 134 Cairn was registered in the first register
1912. The same year the first CAC was given at Shows and the first Cairn to
be Champion was the bitch Tibbie of Harris (1913). The first male to be
Champion, couples of month later, was Gesto. He was a crossbreed between
White Highland Terrier and Cairn, which meant that the puppies could be
either White Highland Terrier or Cairn! This crossbreeding was
forbidden, first in USA 1917 and then in England 1925, but as late as in the
1960´s a white puppy could be born in the litters here in Sweden. The breed
is very popular today and is competing at Shows, agility and in working-
classes.
SWEDEN:
The Swedish Cairnterrier club was established in 1963 and took the name "the
clan of the Cairnterrier". M. Bruhn, K. Schmidt, I. Öqvist, B. Falk and L
Bjarme, the first chairmen of the "clan" are the peoples in the first
border. In 1969 the name changed to The Cairnterrier club and the same year
the charter of the association was established. The first member feed was 5
SKr for adults and 2 SKr for juniors. L Bjarme had the post of chairmen to
1969. Karin Schmidt took over 1970. The first paper to the members came out
in 1969.
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.
You can find a complete
standard of the breed under standard.
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