Posted by Jeanne on January 21, 2009
The word terrier comes from the Latin meaning earth. Certain dogs were given this name for their habit of actually going into the earth after fox, badgers, and other pests. Probably the most popular of this family is the Fox Terrier who was used primarily to chase fox.
A famous individual in this group was Fala, the Scottish Terrier that belonged to Franklin Roosevelt. Still another, the Dandie Dinmont, was made immortal by Sir Walter Scott in his novel, Guy Mannerling that was first published in 1814.
Terriers, like Spaniels, are born hunters and because of this trait they have a tendency to wander. For this reason, they don’t make the best watch dogs. There isn’t a better dog for a boy or girl who likes to run and play. Terriers like nothing better than to play outdoors with an active youngster. And they’re especially good for small children as playmates because the short tails of most Terriers aren’t as easy to grab as the longer tails of other dogs.
Have you ever wondered why Terriers – and all other dogs – put their tails between their legs when they are frightened? Dogs didn’t always do this. Thousands of years ago when dogs were chased by their enemies, the part of the dog’s body nearest to the pursuer was his tail. And many times the tail would be responsible for his being caught. One day it occurred to the dogs that if they were being chased, their chances of getting away would be better if their tails were not exposed like a convenient handle. But a dog couldn’t cut off his own tail and he couldn’t fold it flat on top of his body. So the only place left was to fold it under his rear legs. It was such a successful habit that to this day when a dog is frightened he puts his tail down under his legs in the hope of escaping whatever doom threatens him.
Posted by Jeanne on December 5, 2008
Cairn Terriers earned their name from the nature of their work which was to enter cairn or rock piles and dislodge whatever vermin happened to be there. They hunt foxes and kindred vermin. They also take readily to water and are sometimes worked with Otter Hounds. They make good companions as they possess alertness, gaiety, sporting spirit, stick-to-itiveness, and a guiding intelligence.
- General Appearance – To be a game, alert, fearless, small terrier. To be shaggy, hardy, active, and well proportioned. To be strongly but not heavily built. To stand well forward on forefeet. To have strong hindquarters and to be deep in the rib. Coat to be harsh, resisting rain. Head to be wedge-shaped and well furnished with hair.
- Skull – Broad in proportion, with a decided indentation between the eyes.
- Muzzle – Powerful yet not heavy. Jaw very strong with large teeth neither undershot nor overshot. Nose black.
- Eyes – Set wide apart. To be medium in size, dark, and keen. To be rather sunken, with shaggy eyebrows.
- Ears – Small, pointed, widely set, well carried, and erect.
- Tail – Short, well furnished with hair but not feathery. To be carried gayly but not to curl down toward back.
- Body – Compact. Level back, well sprung deep ribs, strong sinews, and very strong hindquarters. Back to be medium in length and well coupled.
- Shoulders, Legs and Feet – A sloping shoulder and a medium length of leg; good but not too heavy bone. Forelegs not to be out at elbows, but forefeet may be slightly turned out. Forefeet larger than hindfeet. Thin, ferrety feet most objectionable. Pads to be thick and strong. Legs to be covered with hard hair.
- Coat – Very important. Must be double with profuse, harsh, but not coarse outer coat and short, close, furry undercoat. Head to be well furnished. Color any except white. Black points typical.
- Ideal Weight – Dogs, 12 to 15 pounds; bitches, 11 to 13 pounds.