109 replies to this topic

[kjwarnold]

The breed standard for Cairns says:

"Involves the weight, the height at the withers and the length of body. Weight for bitches, thirteen pounds; for dogs, fourteen pounds. Height at the withers, bitches nine and a half inches; dogs, ten inches. Length of body from fourteen and a quarter to fifteen inches from the front of the chest to back of hindquarters."

I've hardly ever seen a Cairn this size, most are bigger and some much bigger! Packy weighs in at 17 lbs. and he's not fat at all -- it's all muscle there. We always thought our first Cairn, Willie, was small at 14 1/2 lbs. Do they weigh the dogs at shows to make sure they are exactly the breed standard weight?

[Abby's Dad]

Abby is 15# and an off duty conformation judge told me that she was on the small side - go figure

[savannahsmom35]

Savannah is 16.2 pounds and the vet said she is perfect for her size. I think she is short and long according to the standard. I will measure when I get home. I measured before but I forgot what the measurements were.

[Marmielin]

Tink was 11.5 lbs when she went to the vet and he said she was fine. But, we all thought she was too thin and looked skinny. I've been feeding her more, and she now weighs 13 lbs. I'm not sure about her other measurements, but think I'll measure her tonight.

LindaB

[tena]

Sophie is still lighter than the standard at 11.5 pounds and she's of standard height and length. It was part of the way the vet identified her as a Cairn.
Yet, the dogs on this forum seem so much bigger than she is. I have always felt a bit embarrased by her small size compared to other dogs. She looks very fit and trim...she's just small, or actually standard.

[wheezie23]

Tucker and Scruffy are both weighing in at 19 lbs, and neither one of them are overweight. Tucker is definitely too long in body, so he appears to be thinner. Scruffy is as solid as a rock, and a nice even size all the way down his torso. I thought they were overweight, but the vet says they're fine. I've run into other cairn owners who look at my monsters and say, "what do you feed those two?!"
Thela

[kareyt]

Hello! I am new around here and new to the breed. our little miss Emerald is still a pup.

When I was doing research and speaking with other CTCA members I was told the European Cairns are bigger than the American. This may account for the size differences.

[Tracy A.]

My boys come in at 17 & 18 pounds....

[toomanypaws]

The last time I weighed them, Kiara was 20 lbs, Abbey 15 lbs, and Hannah 13 lbs.

[myhoneymoonbaby]

Vinny Goombots weighs in at a tremendous 12 pounds! Although, his Napolean Complex puts him at about 100lbs!

[savannahsmom35]

I tried to measure Savannah last night and I am not sure if I did it wrong or what but I got that she is 14 1/2 inches long and 11 inches tall!!! I am not exactly sure that I measured her height right.

[Shoe]

I have tried to look up how exactly to measure my dogs, but I must be having a blonde "momment", because I can't figure out how to measure! I "think" the withers is between the shoulder blades?? How do you measure from the middle of the chest to their hind quarters? Do you take the measuring tape and go under?? Please don't laugh.....but I do better with visuals.

[kjwarnold]

Hey, Shoe -- that's why I didn't figure out the length and height measurement for Packy -- I didn't quite know where to start and stop! I have a feeling that he's a little longer than the standard, but like you, I wasn't sure how to run the tape measure.

[brin145]

Quote

Measure her at the withers (shoulder) to the floor. Mine are obviously all "pet quality", especially Kiara and Abbey, but the standard calls for body length to be from 14" to 15" from the front of the chest to the back of the hindquaters. An easier way to check for proper back length in proportion to height (which according to the standard should be 10" for males and 9 1/2" for females) is to measure the dog w/ either your eye or a ruler from floor to withers and from withers to tail set. These measurements should be equal. You will find that a dog standing 10" at the withers should measure 10" from withers to tail set, provided the tail is set correctly. Females are generally slightly longer than males.

This information was taken out of "The Cairn Terrier", by Christine Carter.

Too Many Paws posted this earlier in the year. So I would say the tape goes over.

Edited by brin145, 14 March 2006 - 02:54 PM.