Cairnese

Characteristics

Health & Longevity

Average Life Span: 12-15 years
Best suited for people with plenty of love to give and time to spend, Cairnese dogs are fun crosses between a Havanese and a Cairn Terrier. These pups have very few major health issues, making them overall healthy dogs. They can be very nosy, which is a health hazard in and of itself, but birth defects and genetic ailments are few and far between.

Liver Disease – There are a variety of causes for this disease, including (but not limited to) heartworms, diabetes, super-fatty foods, ingested mold, and pancreatitis. This disease occurs when the liver stops processing blood and nutrients through the dog’s system, leaving the toxins to fester in the bloodstream and internal organs. This disease, if left untreated, could result in a painful death. Symptoms of liver disease include weight loss, zero appetite, violent vomiting, explosive diarrhea, insatiable thirst, bloody urine or stool, bloated belly, seizures, and yellowed eyes and gums. Your vet will prescribe medication and high-quality dog food to get your pup back in tip-top shape. Surgery might be required to remove tumors surrounding the liver, if necessary.

Deafness – In dogs, this condition is commonly associated with aging. Cairnese pups have very sensitive ears, making them prone to wax build-up and recurring ear infections. If left untreated, these build-ups and infections could cause total or partial hearing loss in one or both ears. If you notice your dog not responding to your voice or other sounds, ask a vet to perform a test to check your dog’s hearing. If deafness occurs, there is no cure or way to get the pup’s hearing back.

Heartworms – Commonly passed on through mosquitoes, heartworms are preventable, but expensive to cure. These worms reproduce in a dog’s heart, lungs, and other internal organs, growing to lengthy proportions and taking all of the nutrients away from your pup. Abnormal breathing patterns, lethargy, insatiable hunger, swelling, and constant coughing are signs of heartworms. If left untreated, these parasites can kill your Cairnese. Treatment includes expensive X-Rays, monthly injections of strong antibiotics, and tons of bloodwork over the course of a year.

A few more health issues that might plague an aging Cairnese crossbreed include joint dysplasia, glaucoma, and cataracts. Otherwise these dogs are healthy, active, and happy for the duration of their 12 to 15-year lifespan.

Temperament & Train-ability

Where the Cairn Terrier is a rambunctious digger, barker, and curious pup, the Havanese is a sweet, affectionate, and shy dog. When combined, the two make the Cairnese—a nosy, kind-of yappy, loving, devoted crossbreed with a big heart in a small body. These mixed breed canines are energetic and playful, especially around children and other pets that they’ve grown up with. However, the Cairnese can be slightly sensitive and emotional, so keep harsh tones and negative reactions to a minimum.

Prone to bouts of depression and anxiety, the Cairnese crossbreed needs to be trained and socialized from an early age. This will help transform them into well-rounded dogs with confidence, loyalty, and a naturally cheerful disposition. These dogs need to be around their owners the majority of the time. So, if you’re a super-busy person, steer clear of these crossbreeds. If you’re a loving, caring person who needs a dog to nurture and care for, the Cairnese is the mixed breed pup for you.

Cairn Terriers can be stubborn, which is a trait that most Cairnese pups will inherit. To train these dogs, you have to be determined, patient, and repetitive in your commands. When you establish a dominant connection with this crossbreed canine, she will be more apt to pay attention and comply with your instructions.

Because of their Terrier genetics, these pups can be yappy barkers and curious small-animal chasers. Be sure to address these issues during training. Issue a command that lets them know to cease their actions immediately. Set up a reward system with meaty treats and positive encouragement.

Grooming

The Cairnese has a lengthy, silky coat that must be brushed daily to maintain softness, smoothness, and shine. Use a firm-bristled brush to get through tangles and mats. If your dog’s hair gets longer than you’d like, take her to a professional groomer for a trim. However, never shave your Cairnese dog’s coat. Their fur is double-layered to keep them warm in extreme cold and cool in extreme heat.

Professional groomers can also trim nails, clean ears, and give your Cairnese a bath. If you’d rather do it yourself, trim her toenails bi-weekly and clean her ears once a week. You can give her a bath whenever she needs it, but don’t exceed twice a month. Brush her teeth 2-3 times a week to stave off cavities.

Diet

The Cairnese is little energetic, so feed her one cup of dry, high-quality dog food, divided into two meals per day. These pups require proper nutrition to keep their coats shiny and their internal organs working correctly. Ask your vet what she would recommend as a good, nutritious dog food for your Cairnese. Definitely invest in a dry kibble that lists lean meats and whole grains as the first two ingredients. Protein and fiber are the most important elements to your pup’s nutrition.
 

Find A Cairnese Breeder

Cairnese Puppies For Sale

Adopt A Cairnese

Cost

The Cairnese is a rarity, making her hard to find in the usual breeder locations. However, if you get lucky, you can expect to pay upwards of $750 to $1300 for a Cairnese puppy. Adults might be a bit cheaper, but it depends on the preferences, requirements, and inclusions from the breeder.

Local shelters would be a great place to check for a Cairnese crossbreed. Albeit rare to find one, you might get lucky with adoption fees between $150 to $300.

Paws ‘N’ Pups Ranking

Paws ‘N’ Pups ranks every breed out of 4 with 1 being easiest to integrate into your life and 4 being the toughest – The lower the ranking the better.

Ranking takes into account a few basic factors including cost, skill level needed, high vs low maintenance and how critical regular training is to success. The Cairnese is an easy dog to integrate into your life, earning her a ranking of 1.5. The only negative would be her training, as she has a stubborn streak. But that is easy to overcome with positive encouragement, rewards, and patience. After proper socialization and training, this crossbreed pup would be a great, well-rounded family dog.

 

Havanese

Cairn Terrier

Rat Terrier

Airedale Terrier