“As popular household companions the Cairn’s visibility grew steadily during its first fifty years as a recognized breed. CAIRNS HAVE BEEN FREQUENT MEMBERS OF BRITAIN’S ROYAL HOUSEHOLD
and in America who could deny the plucky demeanor of TOTO as Dorothy’s scruffy little soul mate in the classic Hollywood epic, ‘The Wizard of OZ’”.
to maintain the breed’s traditional appear- ance, the fancy has long admonished those who would scissor a Cairn’s coat, prefer- ring and promoting the terrier regiment of hand stripping to tidy the outline of this naturally coated dog. As popular household companions, the Cairn’s visibility grew steadily during its first fifty years as a recognized breed. Cairns have been frequent members of Britain’s Royal household and in Ameri- ca who could deny the plucky demeanor of TOTO as Dorothy’s scru ff y little soul mate in the classic Hollywood epic, “ Th e Wizard of OZ”. Th rough the early decades Cairn champions in America continued to come over from Britain. Into the nine- teen thirties as many as two thirds of AKC Cairn champions were British imports. Without question, the breeder and ken- nel whose activities and dogs have had the greatest impact on the Cairn Breed in North America would be Mrs. Betty Hyslop of Cairndania Kennels in Ontario, Canada. Owning or breeding some three hundred champions gave Mrs. Hyslop a keen eye for breeding as well as having the resources to import some of Britain’s best champions. Mrs. Hyslop’s direct influence lasted over sixty years until her passing in the late 1990s. Her legacy of the top-win- ning Cairns she promoted can be felt as yet in the generations of dogs down from her activities.
Today, the Cairn’s popularity goes well beyond the boundaries of Britain and North America. Fanciers in both North and South America are adding quality animals to their breeding programs from various European countries. Influences from countries that follow the British breed standard for Cairns have increased the diversity seen in the breed, mainly as it relates to the overall size of the exhib- its found in US show rings today. Specifi- cally, the British breed standard, revised in the early nineteen eighties, states a desired height at the withers for the breed of elev- en and a half to twelve inches. Th e stan- dard adopted by the Cairn Terrier Club of America in nineteen thirty eight, and still in e ff ect today, states a desired height of nine and half to ten inches. As deviation from desired size is not a disqualification, much size diversity is prevalent in the US show ring today. In large part due to the support from AKC for sanctioned events outside the purview of conformation, Cairns have enjoyed increased participation in events that clearly reach to roots of the breed’s original purpose. AKC venues as “Earth Dog,” “Agility,” “Barn Hunt” are events annually finding increasing numbers par- ticipating from the Cairn breed as breeders enjoy seeing their intelligent little dogs at work. While Cairns have scored multiple titles as obedience entrants, their partners
will tell you this independent minded ter- rier is always a challenge to work with. Living with a Cairn, as any owner will verify (particularly this author whose pop- ulation often exceeds twenty), is not for the sedentary. While Cairns have a steady disposition that can adapt to their owners lifestyle—be it apartment or farm—that isn’t to say that they don’t want to be busy. Th e Cairn has been often referred to as a big dog in a small body. Never shy or timid, but often cautious at first encoun- ters, Cairns exude personality and will stand their ground even in the face of over- whelming adversity. On their toes and ready for action Cairns invite the observer to “guess what’s on their mind.” Whether in the show ring or at home, human companions are constantly reminded that they must clearly establish themselves as “pack leader” or this persistent little dog will eagerly take the lead. BIO Tom and his wife Karin have enjoyed breeding and exhibiting Cairn Terriers for thirty years. Preparing and showing their own dogs the Godwin’s have finished nearly seventy AKC champions. Th ey are most proud of their unequalled record as breeders of having ended years owning and showing the number one Cairn Terrier in America six di ff erent times.
S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , A UGUST 2014 • 211
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