“CAIRNS ARE gENERAlly ouTgoINg ANd hAppy To mEET EvERyoNE.”
much too short, especially on the topline. All else being close to equal, dogs groomed in this fashion should be penalized. Proper Tail and Tail Carriage Unlike the tails of several of the other Terriers of the short-legged class, correct tail carriage for the Cairn varies from ver- tical to somewhat o ff -vertical, i.e. 1:00 to 2:00 on a clock face. Th e latter carriage is actually preferred by many breeders in the UK. It is important that the tail itself be straight and strong. Th e length is generally on a line with the top of the skull. Proportion and Outline: A good example of a balanced male with a pleasing outline and proper proportions. Front and rear angulation is balanced with good pro sternum in front and “shelf” behind. Excellent tail set and carriage (although the tail carried somewhat toward one o’clock is also correct and preferred by some breeders).
Movement: This bitch is seen moving freely and easily on a loose lead. Her proper angulation front and rear allows her to move with equal reach and drive. Note that her head is not excessively elevated, allowing for freedom of motion. She also maintains a level topline on the move.
takes away from their workmanlike qual- ity. A lean (not thin) dog is preferred to an overweight one.
in inexperienced youngsters. Th is breed should not stand like wooden soldiers in the ring but should be ever alert! BIO Lydia Coleman Hutchinson has lived with Cairn Terriers her entire life and has been actively breeding and showing them for over 60 years. Her parents’ and her WOLFPIT KENNEL has produced numerous top winners and many top pro- ducers. Champions owned and or bred by WOLFPIT currently total 235, and WOLFPIT bloodlines appear in the pedi- grees of dozens of other Cairn breeders. In addition to having actively bred Cairns for longer than anyone else in the US, Lydia is also the senior judge of the breed, having been approved as an AKC judge in 1964. Having judged large entries of Cairns in numerous foreign countries (including at the Centenerary shows of the Cairn Terrier Club in Scotland in 2010), she is quite aware of the current state of the breed worldwide.
Typical Legs, Feet and Movement
Bone is of medium density and corre- sponds to the overall size of the dog. Strong feet with thick pads and strong pasterns are essential, given this is de fi nitely a digging breed! Coordinated movement with bal- anced reach and drive is important. Lack of good muscle tone or poor angulation can lead to ine ffi cient, short-strided movement. Th is fault is one of the current “drags of the breed.” Another fault that is being seen more frequently is dogs that are “tall on the hock” (lacking short hock-to-heel length), which prevents proper rear propulsion. Tempermant Cairns are generally outgoing and hap- py to meet everyone. Understanding judg- es do not penalize dogs that do not stand still during table examination, especially
Correct Body, Weight and Condition
Although the Cairn should have deep ribs well-covered with fl esh, its body should not feel like that of a Scottie or Westie. Th e Cairn has a litheness, fl ex- ibility and scopiness about it and should be well-muscled without being heavy or thick. Most Cairns are “good do-ers” and can tend towards being overweight, which
216 • S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , A UGUST 2014
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