Cairn Terrier Breed Magazine - Showsight

which we enjoying very much. I have been judging about 15 years and do the Terriers and Sporting groups as well as a few other breeds. JOSEPH VERNUCCIO cairn terrier Q&A

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 becoming 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. RP: Balance (not short but not long), natural looking (noth- ing is worse than a Cairn that is overdone in grooming) and a dog that is happily showing on a loose lead. 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, a keen Terrier expression with dark eyes and properly placed ears and they should be well muscled with good bone and substance. 3. Are there any traits in this breed you fear are becoming exaggerated? 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. RP: No. 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? 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 generally have better bone and substance than in the past. However, dogs from 20 or more years ago

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 for- get about work! I have had dogs all my life—I started showing and breeding over 15 years ago and judging in the last three years or so.

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

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

2. What are your “must have” traits in this breed? 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 and typical head. KK: Correct head and expression, level top line, good angles front and rear, balance and proper presentation. KL: The ideal Cairn for me must possess type first. Type originates from size and shape. From our Illustrated Stan- dard: “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,

“FUN, ENERGETIC AND SMART.”

182 • S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , J ANUARY 2017

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