Cairn Terrier Breed Magazine - Showsight

JOSEPH VERNUCCIO

they should be well muscled with good bone and substance.

3. Are there any traits in this breed you fear are becoming exaggerated? PBM: We’ve had many traits that became popular and then exaggerated in the past. Too short a muzzle giving a cute or catlike look, too much bone, too much rear angulation. I’m seeing too many with bad toplines and tailsets currently. PD: They are becoming over groomed in the show ring and much too tall. LCH: Exaggerations are definitely creeping into Cairns. There are too many with legs too tall, necks too long, and excessive rear angulation. KK: Over grooming. While I do not think a Cairn should be presented like the “poor relation”, I do object to Cairns that are presented in short coats with not a hair out of place. KL: Yes. Some Cairns are too up on leg. I have seen Cairns in the ring that would stand shoulder to shoulder with a Lakeland Terrier or Mini Schnauzer. I am also seeing exaggerated necks. They may be a beautiful Terrier, but lack Cairn type. DM: I think we need to be careful about size. Most are a good bit over the Standard, but if we change the Standard they will become far too big. JV: Yes, we are seeing longer necks and over exaggerated rears with longer hocks. Accordingly, we see dogs that don’t reach as well in front but have over-exaggerated rear drive which may look “flashy” but in reality is not efficient or correct for this breed. 4. Do you think the dogs you see in this breed are better now than they were when you first started judging? Why or why not? PBM: I think the breed at the all breed shows is a lot worse than it used to be. I believe a lot of our good breeders have stayed clear of the all breed shows and now only go to specialties or supported entries because they are fed up. Too many dog shows have flooded the entry with less than good examples of our breed finishing. It gets discouraging. PD: No, they are different not necessarily better. They are becoming too tall. LCH: Cairns are definitely better overall now than they were in the 1950s and 1960s, although the best dogs from those eras would be successful today. Today’s dogs gener- ally have better bone and substance than in the past. However, dogs from 20 or more years ago were closer to the Standard for size. Many of today’s dogs are well over the size prescribed in the Standard. KK: They are definitely better, overall. Breeders are paying closer attention to construction and presentation.

I live in the town of Stratford, in Fairfield County, Connecticut. I’m a busy manager in the Administration area of a medium-sized financial ser- vices company. The dogs make me forget about work! I have had dogs all my life—started showing and breeding over 15 years ago, and judging in the last 3 years or so.

1. Describe the breed in three words. PBM: Rectangular, hardy and agile. PD: Fun, energetic, smart. LCH: Adaptable, alert, independent thinkers.

KK: Active, friendly, independent. KL: Hardy, energetic, moderate. DM: Active, agile and alert. JV: Unflappable, lithe and sturdy.

2. What are your “must have” traits in this breed? PBM: They must have Terrier spirit, proper outline, strong level topline, keen expression with a nice dark oval eye and the proper harsh coat not trimmed tightly and never scissored. PD: Proportion so that the dog can do its job of running in the field and turning around in a hole when chasing its prey. LCH: Rectangular outline, sound structure, typical head. KK: Correct head and expression, level top line, good angles front and rear, balance, proper presentation. KL: The ideal Cairn for me must posses type first. Type originates from size and shape. From our Illustrated Standard: “The dog must be of balanced proportions and appear neither leggy nor too low to ground; and neither too short nor too long in body.” A Cairn should carry well sprung ribs (I think that we are losing this attribute), medium length of back with a level topline, the head must be broad in the back skull and have a strong muzzle. It is important for a Cairn to have moderate bone, not too light and not heavy, again something I think is becom- ing harder to find. I also look for matching angles, if they have these, the movement should come along. DM: Proper proportions and balance. Correct expression, good easy movement and good hard hair. JV: They must be game and not shy or fearful. They should be alert and able to work with other dogs in packs, that is, not aggressive. Physical traits include a harsh coat, big teeth for the size of the dog, and a keen terrier expression with dark eyes and properly placed ears, and

278 • S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , J UNE 2017

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