Cairn Terrier health problems and breed care
The cairn terrier is a good choice for adult only households or families with children. They do not enjoy living with small animals such as cats or rabbits due to their high prey drive.
A home with a garden, and an owner willing to give them lots of exercise daily is essential for both their physical and mental health throughout their lives.
As far as health goes, cairn terrier health issues are few, and overall they are considered a very healthy breed, with many living into old age. Cairn terrier life expectancy can reach 13-15 years. They can still be active and enjoying life at the upper end of life expectancy.
#Common Health issues in Cairn Terriers
The cairn terrier’s health problems are few in number. Compared to others they are a hardy and healthy breed if the right preventative care is given such as good nutrition, vaccinations and parasite treatments. The types of health problems they do get, tend to be very specific for their breed, and so easily identifiable when they occur.
##Physical issues
One of the notable cairn terrier back leg problems is Legg-Perthes disease. This condition leads to necrosis or death of the top of the bone in the hip joint resulting in intense pain and lameness. Surgery is the best cure for this condition.
Other cairn terrier back leg problems include luxating patella and hip dysplasia. These conditions can be managed with a combination of supplements and physiotherapy if mild, or surgery if the condition causes pain and discomfort.
##Skin issues and allergies
Cairn terrier skin issues can be caused by yeast infections, abnormalities in the skin barrier leading to flakey skin, or atopy. All these conditions can cause a cairn terrier to have itchy skin, creating inflammation, pain and secondary infections. Allergies and skin issues are treated with lifelong diet changes, supplements and medications to keep the skin condition healthy.
##Stomach issues
The incidence of cairn terrier stomach issues are low compared to their other health issues. Most commonly they can get mild bouts of gastroenteritis, or food intolerances. These can be resolved with diet changes, probiotics and supplements.
Cairn terriers are at increased risk of portosystemic shunt, an abnormality whereby the blood bypasses the liver, meaning toxins are not filtered correctly from the blood. Signs can include vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy and ataxia (incoordination) when walking.
##Medical Problems
Cairn terriers can get hereditary issues affecting the blood. The most common is macrothrombocytopenia (which often causes no issues) and Von Willebrand's disease. Von Willebrand's disease is a condition whereby there is a lack of clotting factors in the blood, so abnormal bleeding can occur after injury or surgical procedures. There is a test for Von Willibrands so all cairn terriers should be tested prior to any type of surgical procedure.
#Caring for a Cairn Terrier
Cairn terriers are the ultimate low maintenance breed. If you can give them the exercise and mental engagement they need, the rest will naturally slot into place.
##Diet and nutrition tips
A cairn terrier needs a commercially formulated balanced diet suited to the life stage they are in (puppy, adult or senior) unless directed otherwise by a veterinarian.
The main concern for cairn terriers when it comes to food, is their risk of becoming overweight easily. Due to their small frames they are at risk of obesity, which can have multiple heath complications including reducing a cairn terriers life expectancy. Always weigh or measure out the food as recommended by the packaging, and make sure no more than 10% of your cairn terriers diet is made up of treats or extras.
##Training and Exercise Tips
Give one hour of exercise each dayl to keep your cairn terrier in good shape. As they were originally hunting dogs, it's important to establish good recall from an early age. This is to avoid them getting distracted by a scent and escaping, risking injury.
Cairn terriers can be stubborn if they choose, and this cairn terrier characteristic combined with intelligence can lead to problems when training. For this reason, start as young as possible, and use their willingness to please to your advantage. Positive reinforcement through play, praise and food rewards can keep your cairn terrier engaged and responsive to training.
Their high energy drive combined with intelligence means they love activities such as agility or heelwork, so if you have a cairn terrier think about joining a club or class for extra fun with your dog.
##Grooming Tips
Cairn terrier grooming is easy! They have low grooming maintenance needs. A quick flick of the brush once a week should be enough to keep their coat in top condition. A twice yearly strip of the coat is needed and a groomer would be happy to do this for you.
Cairn terriers are not hypoallergenic, so consider this if you have allergies to pet hair as although low shedders, cairn terriers do shed a little and this can trigger sensitivities.
Nail care should also be minimal, especially if you are walking on concrete regularly. Cairn terriers often have black nails, so trim with care as it can be easy to accidently cut into the sensitive
part of the nail and make it bleed, which can be painful.
Dental care is important. Brush your cairn terriers teeth every day to reduce the rate of tartar formation that leads to dental disease. You can keep your dogs teeth healthy for longer by daily tooth brushing so start as early on in their life as possible.
##Conclusion
The cairn terrier is a healthy breed, with high energy and exercise tolerance. They can struggle with being alone for long periods of time, so are best suited to individuals who like being outdoors, or involved in canine clubs.
This breed is loyal, intelligent and willing to push boundaries if allowed, but they are a loving and happy breed of dog. The cairn terrier temperament combined with their good health allows them to live happily into old age with minimal needs from their owners.
