Cairn Terrier Q & A
KARI LOKIN
The best way to attract newcomers to my breed and to the sport? Be kind to spectators at dog shows and events, participate in meet the breeds, be inclusive and welcoming. My ultimate goal for the breed? For it not to be left in the hands of puppy mills. To do that, we need to actively encourage new com- ers in the breed. My favorite dog show memory? A fantastic summer Montana circuit where several breeders entered without coordinating. We had five point majors every day, and lots of socializing. Wins come and go, the camaraderie is what should be about. They are a great little dog with a big dog resiliency and heart. They can be a super later in life breed for people when their big dogs are just too much and they want to stay active in purebred dogs and dog sports. MARLY LUCIER Marly Lucier obtained her first
Kari has been actively show- ing dogs for over 40 years, show- ing her first dog at age three. She apprenticed under Denis Springer and Brenda Combs. Her mentors in Cairns are the esteemed breeders from Burnaby, British Columbia, Glenn Sergius and Frank Mesich of McCairn. She has been show- ing and/or breeding Cairns for over 25 years under the Harmony prefix. She has won the CTCA National and multiple CTCA Rov-
ing Nationals and piloted several dogs into the top 5. She is happily married to her husband, Jack for 22 years and has an incredible son, Ryan who is in his first year of college studying chemistry. I live in Centennial, Colorado and I am a Practice Transfor- mation Manager for TMF Health Quality Institute leading a team to help primary care practices improve health outcomes and patient experience. Other hobbies include hiking, reading and paddle boarding. Do I hope the breed’s popularity will change or am I comfort- able with the placement? I would like to see more young people become involved in the AKC dog events and responsible breed- ing. Our membership is aging and a consequence of that is that we have fewer breeders that have the best interest of the Cairn Terrier at heart. What qualities in the field also come in handy around the house? We have a lot of Cairns active in various performance and companion events. More than many realize. Their willingness to please (with creative training) makes them great house dogs. They are pleased to have a job to do, and love also just to hang with their people. What about the breed makes them an ideal companion? Cairns are a small but hardy breed. They are very resilient and shed very little. As in most breeds, in some cases you need to be aware of same sex dogs running together. Are there any misconceptions about the breedI’d like to dispel? I have heard from too many people that they are turned away as a home for a puppy from a breeder because they have kids. Cairns can be fantastic with kids, and with proper vetting and education we should be looking for homes with kids. I hear from so many people involved in Cairns and AKC events that they fell in love with the breed as a child and developed their passion for the breed through having a Cairn as a family member when they were kids. What special challenges do Cairn Terrier breeders face in our current economic and social climate? Overall, we are doing well, with the exception of fewer litters being bred by responsible breed- ers due to the aging of our population. At what age do I start to see definite signs of show-worthiness? I was taught by my mentor in Terriers, Denis Springer, to evaluate puppies at six weeks and then stop looking until they turn a year or so. I have found this to be a good strategy. The most important thing about the breed for a new judge to keep in mind? Cairns are supposed to be run in a pack, sparring is helpful to show the natural attributes of the dog when handled properly, it is never used to determine aggression and should not be rewarded. Outline/proportion: tailset should never be carried forward toward the head. It should be at its highest at 12 O’clock. One to two o’clock are equally acceptable.
show Cairn in 1992 and has bred and shown Cairns since then under the Maverston prefix. She has com- pleted over 20 championships from the Bred By Exhibitor class and has won honors at Westminster and at National Specialties. She has also trained and titled Cairns in Obedi- ence, Rally, and Agility, and enjoys the challenge of becoming a team with her Cairns. I live in Carlisle, Massachusetts.
Most of my activities are dog related. Besides showing and breeding my Cairns I train them in obedience and agility. One of my Cairns is a Therapy Dog and we do the Read To A Dog program togeth- er. I also judge Cairns. In my free time I love to travel and visit my grandkids. Do I hope the breed’s popularity will change or am I comfort- able with the placement? I’m totally happy with his current place- ment. There are many delightful breeds and each has its own special audience. What about the breed makes them an ideal companion? Cairns are friendly and playful. They love to be with people and have a spe- cial affinity for children. They adapt easily to living in condos and apartments. But because they are small in stature, people may for- get that they have fairly high energy requirements. Without proper exercise they may become bored, bark excessively and chew things that they shouldn’t. Are there any misconceptions about the breed I’d like to dispel? There’s a perception that Cairns are unintelligent and difficult to train that is completely false. They are extremely intuitive and love to learn new things. However they are sensitive and respond best to positive reinforcement. Once they form a bond with a human they really want to please. What special challenges do Cairn Terrier breeders face in our current economic and social climate? Time is a huge issue for every- one nowadays so finding the time to care for multiple dogs is not easy. Space is also an issue. Dogs need an area to explore and play that won’t bother their neighbors. At what age do I start to see definite signs of show-worthiness? I can often see signs as early as eight weeks but rarely make a final decision until a pup is nine months old. What is the most important thing about the breed for a new judge to keep in mind? It’s key to keep the breed standard top of mind and not be influenced by present trends that may not conform to the standard. While size may vary within reason, the height to
320 • S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , J ANUARY 2020
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