Caucasian Shepherd vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison

Caucasian Shepherd vs Cairn Terrier - Breed ComparisonCairn Terrier is originated from United Kingdom but Caucasian Shepherd is originated from Russia. Cairn Terrier may grow 42 cm / 16 inches shorter than Caucasian Shepherd. Cairn Terrier may weigh 92 kg / 202 pounds lesser than Caucasian Shepherd. Cairn Terrier may live 3 years more than Caucasian Shepherd. Both Cairn Terrier and Caucasian Shepherd has same litter size. Cairn Terrier requires Low Maintenance. But Caucasian Shepherd requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Terrier dog
Molosser dogs
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United Kingdom
Russia
Height Male:
25 - 33 cm
9 - 13 inches
70 - 75 cm
27 - 30 inches
Height Female:
23 - 33 cm
9 - 13 inches
67 - 72 cm
26 - 29 inches
Weight Male:
5 - 8 kg
11 - 18 pounds
50 - 100 kg
110 - 221 pounds
Weight Female:
5 - 8 kg
11 - 18 pounds
45 - 90 kg
99 - 199 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 10
5 - 10
Size:
Small
Large
Other Names:
Cairn, Toto Dog
Caucasian Ovcharka, Caucasian Mountain Dog
Colors Available:
Black, Brindle, Cream, Wheaten, Red, Grey
Fawn, brownish to dark grey, black - bi-colored
Coat:
Medium length and wiry
Long haired, dense
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
No
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

History

cairn terrierThe Cairn Terrier originates in the Scottish Highlands. This feisty little dog was given the name Cairn, as he used to hunt prey between the Scottish cairns. At first the dog was grouped as a ‘Skye Terrier’way back in the 1900s with the Scottish and West Highland White Terrier. Then the different breeds began to be bred separately.

The name Cairn Terrier didn’t appear in print till 1887. It was in 1912 that the Kennel Club of the United Kingdom recognized the Cairn Terrier.

caucasian shepherdThis working dog is more than 2 000 years old, hailing from the Caucasus Mountains near the Georgian Republic, Russia.

The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is an ancient breed, always having been used to guard livestock in the mountains. Some believe they came from domesticated wolves, while others believe their ancestry includes Mastiffs and other breeds.

It was in the 1960s that the dog was used in Germany for patrol along the Berlin Wall. This dog is also known as the Caucasian Ovcharka and he is large and powerful, always being ready to take on anyone who threatens him or the livestock he is guarding.

His origins can be traced far back and eventually the dog found its ways to the USA where dog clubs were formed.The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is one of the oldest Molosser breeds, and today they are mostly appreciated for being wonderful family companions and watchdogs.

Description

Temperament:

cairn terrier puppy - descriptionThe small sturdily built working Terrier is intelligent and courageous. Bright-eyed, he is small and active and he just loves to work- and party hard with his human family. You’ll see if you’ve got a ball you want to throw for him, his tail is quivering in anticipation and his ears are erect and alert to any noise. He is smart, independent and courageous.

Coat of Many Colors:

The Cairn Terrier has a tough, weather-resistant coat that can be any color but not white. He has a waterproof double coat – the outer one being wiry while the undercoat is soft. You’ll find the coat in man colours such as grey, black, red and brindle with dark points on the ears and muzzle.

The interesting thing with a Cairn is that when you get a puppy, you can’t be sure what color he will end up being as it changes over the years. The ears are fox-like, small and erect, and the natural medium-to-short tail is held straight out.

caucasian shepherd puppy - descriptionThe Caucasian Shepherd is a large, impressive looking dog standing at between 64 – 75cm in height and weighing between 45 – 70 kg. He has an almost bear-like appearance. His coat can be shortish or even fairly long, and in different colors such as white, tan, brindle, grey and cream with a black mask.

The puppies are born black and then lighten as they grow up. He has a large head with the muzzle being smaller than the skull, narrowing slightly. The nose is black and the ears are set high and are floppy with dark eyes. The tail is set high and is long.

Temperament:

The Caucasian Shepherd is an intelligent breed but he must be properly trained and socialized as he can be stubborn and want to go his own way.

He is a balanced dog and he won’t deliberately hurt whom he regards as family, but he shows distrust towards strangers. While socialization and training relax and calm a dog, the Caucasian Shepherd isn’t regarded as the best dog to have with children around. This is because he comes from a lineage of guard dogs, bred to fight and guard.

He is a dog breed that will require a firm, strong owner and if you don’t have a lot of time on your hands, the Caucasian can be difficult to manage and perhaps isn’t the best choice for a first-time dog owner.

Characteristics

cairn terrier dog - characteristicsThe Cairn Terrier is a fearless, jaunty little dog, known for his courageous spirit and inquisitive nature. He may be small, but he is stubborn. He will respond well to training and socialization which will turn him into the most awesome pet for families. He can make a wonderful friend and playmate for children too. Socialization and training ensures he gets on well with other pets in the household too.

He is small and energetic, and therefore not the kind of dog you can ignore in terms of exercise. He’ll need a good walk every day and he just loves to chase a ball as it takes him back to the days when he was used to chasing- and catching mice.

He isn’t your typical lap-dog at all and with the right care he becomes a devoted, loyal and loving companion.

caucasian shepherd dog - characteristicsLoyal, strong, and brave, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog does an excellent job protecting his human family. He is a territorial dog and in the past he has always been ready to take on wolves and bear to protect his sheep. He isn't the best choice for first time dog-owners and where there are small children in the home.

He will do well to be trained and socialized as he becomes an obedient, patient, gentle, loving pet that becomes an excellent companion and protector.

Health Problems

cairn terrier puppies - health problemsThe Cairn Terrier is a robust little dog, and with good care can reach 14 years of age and even older. However, with every dog breed there are some health concerns particular to that breed. With your Cairn Terrier look out for a disease known as Globoid cell leukodystrophy (GCL).

Globoid cell leukodystrophy (GCL)

Known also as Krabbe Disease, Globoid cell leukodystrophy (GLD) is a rare but fatal disease. It is caused by a mutation on the dog’s DNA. There is abnormal processing of an enzyme needed for the production of myelin, a substance that protects the nerves in the brain and spinal cord. The dog is weak, it has tremors and isn’t co-ordinated. The Cairn Terrier is a breed of dog more susceptible to GCL.

Bone and joint diseases

Your Cairn Terrier may well suffer with joint diseases. These diseases, such as luxating patella which is about loose knee joints, and hip dysplasia which is a degenerative hip disease, can cause plenty of pain and discomfort for your pet.

Eye Diseases

Glaucoma is an eye disease where there is pressure on the eye, causing inadequate fluid drainage. Without treatment, there can be damage to the optic nerve which can lead to blindness.

caucasian shepherd puppies - health problemsLike all breeds there may be some health issues, even though the Caucasian Shepherd is generally a healthy dog. There are some common illnesses that every dog can get and which every responsible dog owner should be aware of -

Diarrhea:

One or two episodes of diarrhea isn’t an emergency, but ongoing diarrhea can lead to dehydration. If your dog is vomiting, he is lethargic and constantly emptying his bowels, see your vet if the diarrhea persists.

Parasites:

Parasites such as fleas and ticks and even internal parasites such as intestinal worms can drain the life from your pet. It is wise to find out about different parasites so that you can protect your dog. Find out what your vet’s treatment options are for parasites.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

cairn terrier dogs - caringThe Cairn Terrier sheds very little and the coat is easy to groom. Give him a thorough brushing twice a week to rid him of loose hairs. Some trimming will be needed as the coat can become shaggy and unruly.

Brush his teeth at least 2 or 3 times a week to prevent tartar build up that can lead to bacteria, gum disease and possible tooth loss.

Diet:

The Cairn Terrier is small but he is an active dog and therefore needs to be on a high-quality dog food. If you feed him a commercially manufactured food, make sure its appropriate to his age, size and activity levels.

He is a small dog so you want to be careful about not letting him become overweight. Try and alternate his commercially manufactured food with some home-made rice, vegetables and meat and also include some raw meat in from time to time. This is of particular importance as chronic skin allergies are common in all terrier breeds. Make sure that there is always a clean bowl of fresh water available to him day and night.

caucasian shepherd dogs - caringThe Caucasian Shepherd Dog has a thick double coat that will certainly require brushing twice a week. The coat comes in different lengths – short, medium and long. The hair is mostly long and the long tail is also feathery. The best way to groom your large, furry pet is to invest in some good grooming tools such as a good brush to keep your pet’s hair in tip-top condition.

His nails will need to be trimmed regularly, his ears will also need to be checked to avoid wax build-up and the accumulation of grime. This can lead to an ear infection. His teeth should be brushed 2 or 3 times a week with special dog toothbrush and toothpaste.

Exercise:

The Caucasian Shepherd isn’t going to do well in a small home with tiny garden in the city. He is a big dog that will require a large yard even though he is a fairly low-energy dog. He will be suited to a family that is active, that will take him on daily walks, hikes and include some ball games.

Diet:

You will need to change your Caucasian Shepherd Dog’s food as he goes through the different phases of his life, from puppy to adulthood. Speak to your veterinarian about a commercially produced dog food is you’re unable to give him home-made food. These foods are available in breed-specific and age-specific formulas.

Reputable breeders will also help you ensure that you know how to start feeding your puppy. Caucasian Shepherds are a large breed and apart from their kibble, you’ll want to include rice, vegetables and cooked chicken from time to time in his kibble and also include raw meat occasionally.

If you're unsure, ask your veterinarian or breeder about the best diet to ensure his longevity. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.

Comparison with other breeds

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  5. Cairn Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Cairn Terrier vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Cairn Terrier vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Cairn Terrier vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Cairn Terrier vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Cairn Terrier vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Cairn Terrier vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
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  25. Cairn Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Caucasian Shepherd vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Caucasian Shepherd vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Caucasian Shepherd vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Caucasian Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Caucasian Shepherd vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Caucasian Shepherd vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Caucasian Shepherd vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Caucasian Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Caucasian Shepherd vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Caucasian Shepherd vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Caucasian Shepherd vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Caucasian Shepherd vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Caucasian Shepherd vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Caucasian Shepherd vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Caucasian Shepherd vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Caucasian Shepherd vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Caucasian Shepherd vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Caucasian Shepherd vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Caucasian Shepherd vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Caucasian Shepherd vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Caucasian Shepherd vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Caucasian Shepherd vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Caucasian Shepherd vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Caucasian Shepherd vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Caucasian Shepherd vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison