Cairn Terrier Breed Magazine - Showsight

“WHEN DONE CORRECTLY, A SPARRING TERRIER THAT PULLS ITSELF TOGETHER IS A BEAUTIFUL THING TO WATCH.”

When I first started, many dogs looked like they had not had a comb run through their coats until right before the show. Breeders are also showing dogs with better fronts and rears. European, specifically Scandinavian imports have had a huge influence in correcting some of our structural problems. KL: I have been judging for a short time, so I would say the quality hasn’t changed. However, from when I started exhibiting and breeding Cairns the overall quality has lessened. I say this because over the years our breed, like many, have too many varying types, which saddens me. Type is essential to pure bred dogs. It is what makes each breed unique. When type varies too much, we end up with generic dogs. DM: Yes, I think we see more good Cairns today. American breeders have used some very good Scandinavian stock to improve our overall quality. So many of our top ones recently have come from Sweden. JV: The dogs today are much sounder movers than 15 years ago. They have better bone and substance as well. The size has crept up a lot which is a concern for many purists but the overall quality I feel is definitely up, not down. The importation of Scandinavian dogs has cer- tainly influenced this breed in the last 15 years. 5. Do you spar Cairns? Why or why not? PBM: Absolutely, while the Cairn is a pack dog, working together, they should have a true terrier temperament. Sparring is not about fighting, it is just about seeing which dog has the desired courage they need for their duties. There is nothing more beautiful than seeing a terrier stand up on their own while ‘trash talking’ to another. PD: I ask exhibitors to bring their dogs out to look at each other but not to spar. LCH: Yes, I am a strong proponent of using the technique of having dogs “spar” or interact when I judge. It can make a world of difference in assessing the attitude and appear- ance of particular dogs. KK: Absolutely!!! The standard states that a Cairn should “...stand up on their toes and show with marked terrier characteristics.” There is no better way to see this than by sparring. KL: I do not, Cairns are a pack dog, to me sparring a Cairn does not accomplish anything. DM: I normally do not spar, unless I have a close decision to be made. Or I want the ringside to see some top speci- mens being compared together. JV: Sure, why not. When done correctly, a sparring terrier that pulls itself together is a beautiful thing to watch.

Sparring bitches is acceptable as long as the judge knows that they may not react the same way that males do. What I resent is when judges spar dogs without a pur- pose, put the dogs at risk of getting aggressive, and don’t learn anything from the exercise. 6. What do you think new judges misunderstand about the breed? PBM: I’m not sure new judges misunderstand the breed, it’s just they never get the opportunity to see quality examples of the breed while they are starting out. And then, when you never see quality you begin to think that what you are seeing is the norm and what is desired. It is a catch 22. I’ve given several seminars and I do think those in attendance get it, but they don’t get it in the ring to show they understand. PD: Proportion and size. LCH: Very often Cairns are not “given their due” in Terrier Group competition, which is quite frustrating. Consider- ing the overall excellence of the breed, it seems unfair that they are not recognized more frequently. Possibly it is because they are not as “fancy” as some other Terriers. However, I would caution judges not to reward overg- roomed and stylized Cairns. KK: That the breed is short legged, long backed and scruffy. The term used in the standard is “... of the short legged class.” This does not mean they have short legs. The stan- dard calls for a medium length of leg. The same for the back. The breed is rectangular in outline, but the length comes from the fore chest and the post sternum. Not a long back. As for the idea that a Cairn should be scruffy, I disagree. Nowhere in the standard is the word scruffy used. The word shaggy is used, but only to describe the eyebrows. A Cairn is to be tied up on ears, tail, feet and general outline and be shown with a full good coat. Like many other parts of the standard, this is open to interpre- tation. BUT!! a Cairn should not enter the ring looking like a stuffed toy with every hair in perfect placement, unable to move due to the hairspray or lack of correct hair length. KL: Tail carriage, many judges think Terrier and think the tail should be tipped toward the head at 11 o’clock. A Cairn’s tail carriage is equally acceptable between 12-2 o’clock. Also with the varying types, some judges are unsure what is “right”. I encourage them to find the Cairn that most closely matches the American Standard. DM: Some judges do not understand the proper balance and proportion. They should never appear square in outline. JV: Cairns are NOT statues—instead they are inquisitive and interested dogs—they should not stand at attention like

S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , J UNE 2017 • 279

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