How to Groom Cairn Terrier

Cairn terriers are energetic, fox-like little dogs with a mischievous streak. They have the spirit and tenacity of dogs two or three times their size and are bold and fearless to boot. This breed requires a weekly interval of general grooming, and a full grooming every 4 weeks.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Slicker brush
• Natural bristle brush
• Metal combs
• Thinning shears
• Clippers
• Blades
• Hand stripping tools

1. Trim all stray hairs, especially those found on the muzzle, with thinning shears.

2. Carefully remove stray hairs growing on the inside corners of the dog's eyes with scissors. It's best to have at least one person help you with this task by holding the head gently, but firmly, while you cut the hair.

3. Brush the dog several times a week to avoid matting of the hair. These dogs have a shaggy double coat which can easily become tangled if you don't brush them regularly.

Tips & Warnings

• Cairn terriers have small bodies measuring about fourteen inches from the fore-chest to the back of the hindquarters.
• Try to leave a rounded look to the overall appearance of the head.
• When brushing, be gentle with the undercoat, as it's very soft and can be sensitive. Cairn terriers shed very little hair.
• Life expectancy of these animals is approximately 12 to 15 years.
• When in show competitions, cairn terriers are generally hand stripped.
• Cairn terriers tend to gain weight very easily, so don't overfeed them.
• Cairn terriers are often allergic to fleas.

Resources

• Petgroomer provides information on blades and trimming tools for the cairn terrier.
• Visit Dogbreedinfo for more about the cairn terrier.

[cairnlover]

on 10/18/2008 I need to see first hand how to hand strip. These directions are too vague for a beginner with no experience hand stripping...when I try it then it seems more like hand ripping, not hand stripping.