Core Terrier

History of the Kern Terrier breed

Kerns are often called the great-grandfathers of all Scottish terriers, since mentions of hunting foxes and badgers with these clockwork shaggies have been found since the XVI century. At first, all representatives of the breed were called sharp–eared sky Terriers - after the name of the Isle of Skye, whose inhabitants preferred small dogs that expertly caught rodents and small animals. It was decided to replace the root "sky" with "core" only at the beginning of the XX century, when the question of animal standardization arose – the name "core terrier" indicated that the breed copes well with catching predators in mountainous and rocky areas.

Despite the fact that the first professional breeder of kerns is considered to be the Scotsman Captain McLeod, who presented the most viable and working line of the breed, dog breeding has been going on spontaneously for a long time. In particular, every British farmer considered it his duty to set up a number of breeding experiments, which, in his opinion, could make sky terriers more grasping and mining assistants.

Official recognition of the breed, as well as the new name, came in 1910, after the English Kennel Club registered individuals belonging to the breeder Alistair Campbell. Since then, Kern Terriers have become full-fledged participants in dog shows, although until 1923 they were still crossed with west Highland white terriers to get animals with a glamorous snow-white color.

Video: Kern Terrier

Standard of the Kern Terrier breed

The Kern Terrier is a combination of a funny appearance and a lively temperament. Perky, dressed in shaggy "fur coats" mustaches look like they just jumped off the shelf of a toy store. Add to this a modest weight (only 6-9 kg), a low fit typical for terriers and a general compactness of physique - and you have an exemplary representative of the breed, assertive, restless and terribly curious.

Head

Small, proportional to the animal's body, with a pronounced cleavage between the eyes and a powerful muzzle. The stop is embossed, well visible.

Teeth and jaws

Core Terriers have large teeth and strong, but not weighted jaws with a reference scissor bite.

Nose

Black, with a moderately developed lobe.

Eyes

The eyes of a thoroughbred Cairn Terrier are widely spaced and hidden under shaggy eyebrows, which gives the dog a comical and slightly angry appearance.

Ears

Pointed, triangular ears are always in an alert position (standing upright).

Neck

The neck of the core Terrier is moderately long, of a classic pose.

Housing

A purebred representative of the breed should have an even, medium-length back and a flexible loin. The chest of the Core Terrier is massive, with well-rounded ribs.

Limbs

The Kern Terrier has very strong and strong legs with sloping shoulders, impressive hips and low-hanging hocks. The front paws are much larger than the hind ones, the pads of the paws are elastic and convex. The dog moves smoothly, with a strong push of the hind legs and a uniform sweep of the forelimbs.

Tail

In a familiar environment, the kern Terrier carries its short tail fervently and energetically, without lowering it down and without throwing it on its back.

Wool

The dog's coat is almost the defining breed characteristic. Double, with an ultra–rigid covering hair and a short, adjacent undercoat, it performs a protective function - it does not allow the animal to get wet in bad weather and reduces the risk of mechanical injuries.

Color

A purebred individual should have a coat of cream, red, wheat, ash-black or gray color. Cairn Terriers with pronounced tigrovins are also not a plembrac and are allowed to participate in exhibitions.

Disqualifying vices

Aggression or unreasonable timidity of a dog is an unconditional disqualification. Animals with atypical colors like solid black, white, and black and tan are also not allowed to participate in competitions.

The character of the kern Terrier

Kerns are typical representatives of the terrier clan, so when bringing them into the house, get ready for boundless curiosity, easy courage, instant reaction and pranks. In addition, it is an extremely contact breed that loves to demonstrate its intellectual and athletic achievements to a person. No matter what tricks and tricks Kern sets, his ultimate goal is the same – to arouse the owner's interest in the results of his "labors". Yes, often the shaggy "superdog" goes too far in an effort to impress the owner with his own ingenuity and restlessness, but there is no point in blaming him for this.

The Kern Terrier is an owner and a terrible miser who does not recognize the concept of "common property". He will happily play catch-up with children, willingly chase the ball and bring it, but he will respond to any encroachment on personal belongings (a toy, a bone) with a convincing "Woof!" or a warning grunt. At the same time, in other everyday situations, the breed demonstrates quite peaceful behavior. The exception is a threat to the life of the owner coming from another dog. In such a case, it is incredibly difficult to keep the core, but it is vital to do it – in the heat of excitement, the shaggy "Scotsman" crosses all boundaries and ceases to soberly assess his own strength.

Almost all modern Cairn Terriers have "tied up" with hunting qualifications and live happily in city apartments, but do not expect that they have forever said goodbye to their stalking instincts. To plow a newly planted flower bed in search of a mole that once visited it and bring a stray cat to a heart attack for a core terrier is a sacred thing. It is not very easy to reconcile a dog with other pets. This comrade sees a direct competitor in any four-legged creature, which must be neutralized as soon as possible. No, kern is absolutely not bloodthirsty, so "surviving" from his opponent's territory will be by other methods – ringing barking, light biting and harassment.

Education and training

The Kern Terrier is an intelligent and curious breed, but only as long as you don't shout at the pet. Impulsive "Scots" perceive any pressure as infringement of personal rights, to which they react violently. Moreover, the offended kern shows real miracles of stubbornness and disobedience, and it becomes impossible to explain elementary truths to him.

Another characteristic feature of the breed is the duality of behavior. Each individual has this quality expressed in different ways. Someone, in the absence of the owners, is lying on sofas and ottomans, but hearing the sound of the key turning in the door, immediately transforms into an exemplary pet, peacefully dozing at the threshold. Someone is slowly harassing the cat, and then, when the owner appears, pretends to see the meowing creature for the first time.

Dog handlers assure that it is not very easy to turn a kern terrier into a well-mannered "citizen", but it is real. The main thing is to look for individual approaches and not to get hung up on one technique. Assert your own leadership persistently, but without rudeness, restrain emotions and do not shout at the ward – so it will be easier for the dog to adapt to your requirements. By the way, during the initial training of the breed, experts recommend not to use the command "You can't!", replacing it with the word "You can!". It is easier for a young Kern Terrier to perceive approval of his own actions than rude prohibitions. In addition, it teaches the animal to look at the owner more often in order to get permission for a specific act.

You can regulate the dog's behavior not only by voice commands, but also by gestures. Core Terriers understand them perfectly and react instantly. Moreover, they themselves skillfully express intentions with poses and tail movements. It is easy to guess that the core is ready for the game and is about to take off - the animal takes a "low start", tries to establish eye contact with the owner and vigorously wags its tail.

Maintenance and care

The core terrier should have an isolated corner in the apartment (a couch, a house) where he could rest and store his own "treasures". Be sure to buy some toys for the animal: cores grow up quickly, they need educational fun with objects. And during the absence of the owners, the pet will have something to occupy itself with. However, it is also not necessary to fill up the dog with gifts. Representatives of this breed are very selective and often remain faithful to one ball, gently ignoring other things. Speaking of balls, they should be soft and relatively large in size so that the core terrier cannot swallow them.

Owners living in a private house with a garden or a private plot will have to be extremely prudent when releasing a doggie to "breathe". It is not a problem for a core terrier to make a tunnel under the fence and escape in an unknown direction. As for the toilet, tiny cores quickly get used to using a newspaper for "wet business", and then they are relatively easily retrained to do the same on the street.

Hygiene

Core terriers only look unpretentious shaggy. In reality, the pet's coat requires systematic care. Firstly, because the cores do not shed, which means that the dog needs to be trimmed, removing dead hair and stimulating the growth of a new one. Usually, individuals who do not take part in exhibitions are trimmed 3-4 times a year. The owners "pinch" the show cores every two weeks, once a month taking them to a professional salon, where the business started by the owner is "polished" to perfection.

Secondly, the undercoat of the breed is prone to the formation of tangles, so if you do not plan to grow a "felt boots" from a four-legged friend, it must be combed with a brush once or twice a week, paying special attention to the armpit area. An important point is a haircut. In fact, it is contraindicated for core terriers, because it changes the structure of the coat, softens and thinns it. However, sometimes, to make the silhouette of the dog more relief, you have to use scissors. Usually, the kerns are trimmed with hairs in the lower abdomen and form the contour of the paws, simultaneously removing the wool between the fingers and under the tail. To put in order the rest of the body, including the ears, which are usually abundantly overgrown, will have to be pinched.

Do not abuse water treatments. Western breeders are of the opinion that frequent bathing is harmful to the breed, and recommend washing core terriers only in the most emergency situations. For example, when an animal rolled in the mud or fell. In other cases, "bath days" are unnecessary, since the wool cover of the cores does not give a specific smell, provided that the dog is systematically trimmed. Show pets will have to be washed more often - once every 2-3 months and exclusively with professional shampoo for wire–haired breeds.

It is mandatory to observe the hygiene of the genitals. This is especially true for bitches, who are advised by breeders to wash the loop and the area around it with warm water during estrus, as well as to treat it with neutralizer sprays that help remove the characteristic odor of secretions. In addition, the soft fur around the genitals rolls down more often than on the rest of the body, so learn to carefully cut the tangles with scissors.

Brushing teeth is a necessary procedure in the life of core terriers. Ideally, the pet's oral cavity should be treated three times a week, but with an acute shortage of time, the number of cleanings can be reduced to two. Pick up a fingertip brush suitable in size and a paste that the core will like. An excellent prevention of the appearance of tartar in dogs is the use of natural juices, such as lemon or tomato. They can soak a napkin and clean the oral cavity of the animal, carefully rubbing the juice into the tooth enamel. And do not forget, from 4 to 6 months, core terriers have a change of baby teeth, so for this period it is better for four-legged minx to buy a toy-a rodent that will help distract and massage the gums.

Check the Core Terrier's eyes daily, removing wet lumps and dirt from them. To do this, use a clean cloth moistened with boiled water or phytolotions from the pet store. Kernam's ears are cleaned once a week with a moistened cloth or rag. It is categorically not recommended to use hydrogen peroxide for hygienic treatment of the auricle, which causes skin irritation. It is more correct to replace it with chlorhexidine.

Walking and physical activity

An adult Cairn Terrier is a good runner, but usually two walks a day are enough for him to emotionally and physically discharge. At the same time, he loves outdoor games and sports. So, taking your pet outside, give him the opportunity to have fun to the maximum – make him run after the ball, attract him to catch-up games and search for objects, teach him to comprehend the basics of agility.

It is allowed to lower the core on a walk from the leash if the shaggy rascal has mastered the commands from the UGC course perfectly and reacts correctly to the call. Otherwise, get ready to run after your pet to fasten the strap again. Well, a little bit about the favorite occupation of all terriers – digging. In no case do not allow the dog to ruin other people's beds and garden beds, but do not pull back if she is "digging" in the wasteland in order to get edible roots and insects – it is vital for the animal to give way to instincts.

Feeding

The average Cairn Terrier gives the impression of an eternally hungry creature in a permanent search for food. So if you succumb to the constant pleading looks of a pet, you risk growing a fat bumpkin, who then will have to be treated by a nutritionist. At four months, a Kern Terrier puppy is fully ready to switch to three meals a day, and at six months, the number of feedings can be reduced to two. Don't worry, the dog won't die of hunger. In any case, if the baby has worked up a brutal appetite, he can be encouraged with a small snack.

If things are exactly the opposite and the core terrier does not finish a portion or does not touch lunch because it does not meet his expectations, it is useful for him to arrange an "unloading" and skip one feeding. As for harmful products, for cores it is pork, fatty lamb, sweets, any smoked meats, bones and veins. Sometimes a doggie can be treated to an ordinary sandwich with butter or cheese, or cottage cheese – such "human" food will not bring harm. In addition, from an early age, the core terrier needs to be taught to eat fruits, berries and vegetables - they are more useful than vitamin supplements from the veterinary library.

Approximate diet of an adult: 40% – meat and its waste, 30% – cereals, 20% – fermented milk products, 10% – fruit and vegetable purees and salads. If the owner is limited in time and does not have time to prepare individual dishes for the pet, industrial feed and canned food can be considered as an alternative, provided that the owner is ready to spend on brands not lower than super premium, but better holistic class.

Health and diseases of core Terriers

The ancestors of the Kern Terriers, despite their more than modest complexion, could boast of iron health and amazing endurance. Their descendants are also not frail creatures, but the susceptibility to hereditary ailments in the breed is higher. In particular, as with all representatives of the terrier clan, Kerns are often diagnosed with Perthes disease, the course of which is accompanied by lameness and is caused by genetics.

Poor blood clotting (Willebrand's disease) is also a genetic disease inherited from producers to offspring. In addition, like any dogs of small breeds, core Terriers suffer from dislocation of the kneecap. The unpleasant phenomenon is directly related to the size of the animal and does not depend on the quality of pet care. Of the specific diseases inherent in the cores, veterinarians most often note allergies, obesity and cataracts.

How to choose a puppy

• Buy a kern terrier puppy in a monopred kennel - so there are more chances that you will come across a knowledgeable breeder for whom animal breeding is not a commercial goal, but a matter of life.
• Visit the kennel several times to see how the puppies behave in everyday life: whether they are playful, how they react to the presence of a stranger, whether they eat with appetite.
• Hanging puppy ears are not at all an indicator that they want to deceive you. In pedigreed core terriers, the ear cloth rises at the 5th week of life, but more often this process stretches for months.
• The coat color of newborn core Terriers differs from the one that the animal will acquire when it matures. So if you are afraid of making a mistake, wait until the babies are 12 weeks old – by this time their real "color" will appear. By the way, with age, the shade of the dog's "fur coat" may lighten (typical for wheat kernels) or darken – this is a normal phenomenon.
• Getting a promising puppy with whom you can conquer exhibitions and dog shows is problematic, since interested breeders keep the best core terriers from the litter. If the seller decided to give the future "show star", carefully study the exhibition diplomas and pedigrees of her parents to make sure that you are being sold an animal with genetic potential.
• Ask the breeder if the puppies were tested for hereditary pathologies – patella, heart disease, cataract. If yes, then ask for the results of the examination.

Price of the core terrier

In Russia, core terriers are not exotic, but also not the most popular breed, so there are very few serious nurseries engaged in its breeding. The cost of puppies is far from budget, unless it is the offspring of an unplanned mating or mestizos. As an example: the average price tag for a pet-class core terrier with pedigree and from eminent parents is $400. Kids of the top show category is another plus $200 - $300 to the average cost, and exhibition "girls" are much more expensive than "boys".