Irish Jack Russell vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison

Irish Jack Russell vs Cairn Terrier - Breed ComparisonCairn Terrier is originated from United Kingdom but Irish Jack Russell is originated from United States. Both Cairn Terrier and Irish Jack Russell are having almost same height. Both Cairn Terrier and Irish Jack Russell are of same weight. Both Cairn Terrier and Irish Jack Russell has almost same life span. Both Cairn Terrier and Irish Jack Russell has almost same litter size. Both Cairn Terrier and Irish Jack Russell requires Low Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Terrier dog
Working dog
undefined
United Kingdom
United States
Height Male:
25 - 33 cm
9 - 13 inches
18 - 35 cm
7 - 14 inches
Height Female:
23 - 33 cm
9 - 13 inches
18 - 35 cm
7 - 14 inches
Weight Male:
5 - 8 kg
11 - 18 pounds
5 - 8 kg
11 - 18 pounds
Weight Female:
5 - 8 kg
11 - 18 pounds
5 - 8 kg
11 - 18 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
10 - 16 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 10
4 - 8
Size:
Small
Small
Other Names:
Cairn, Toto Dog
Irish Jack Russell, Shorty Jack Russells
Colors Available:
Black, Brindle, Cream, Wheaten, Red, Grey
tan, brindle, White coat with orange
Coat:
Medium length and wiry
Short or long - coarse
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
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

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.

irish jack russellOriginating in the United States of America, the Irish Jack Russell, also known as Short Jack Russells, was bred to bring about a calmer temperament and to also have a dog with shorter legs.

Always a working dog, breeders of the Irish Jack Russell wanted to create a dog with less of a hunting instinct in him and have a dog which would be more companionable.

These Irish Jack Russells look much like your regular Jack Russell but are more of a companion dog than a hunting dog. The Irish Jack Russell doesn’t adhere to any existing Jack Russell breed standard and isn't really recognized at major dog clubs and kennels. The truth of the whole matter is that there are different kinds of Jack Russells and different names given to them to differentiate between the taller Jack Russell and the short legged one. The shorter Jack Russell Terriers are known by many names such as Irish Jack Russell and Shorty Jack Russells.

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.

irish jack russell puppy - descriptionIrish Jack Russells are small dogs standing at roughly 18 to 35cm and weighing in the region of 5 to 8kg for both males and females.

He looks much like your regular Jack Russell but he has shorter legs, and where the regular Jack Russell has an essentially white coat with orange-tan patches, the Irish Jack Russell can be solid tan or other color variations such as red, brindle, black and tan.

The coat can be short or fairly long and coarse. The Irish Jack Russell is a sturdy, compact dog with a flat skull, brown eyes and ears which are semi-erect, semi-floppy. He has a bright, alert, intelligent look on his face. The tail is set fairly high and has always been docked but these days it is inclined to be left long, taking away from the dog’s nice compact look.

Temperament:

The Irish Jack Russell is perhaps more placid than the regular Jack Russell and that is why he can adapt to life in the city or in the country. They’re intelligent dogs and therefore easy to train and have socialized.

Even though he is a small dog, training and socialization is important as he is a feisty, stubborn, know-it-all little dog. These are dogs which can become possessive of their owner and they can become quite aggressive when protecting their family. He is a highly trainable dog but it is important to have him trained as he tends to be aggressive with other dogs.

He is busy, active, happy and inquisitive and will require regular exercise to prevent him becoming restless and destructive. He has been a working terrier and he always wants to be busy.

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.

irish jack russell dog - characteristicsThe Irish Jack Russell is a self-confident, energetic dog who will like nothing more than to be involved with everything you’re doing. The busier he is the better, and because he has strong hunting instincts you may find him digging in your garden for rats.

Have him trained and socialized if you want to avoid certain problems with him and remember to exercise him and provide him with the attention he craves.

He is a social dog and will pine away if you just leave him to get by on his own. Make sure that he becomes every bit as part of your family as everyone else and he promises to make you a loyal, devoted companion.

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.

irish jack russell puppies - health problemsYour Irish Jack Russell is a dog that doesn’t battle with too many health issues, but nonetheless you still need to watch out for common health problems.

Jack Russell terriers are generally a healthy breed that can live up to 14 years of age, but still every dog is prone to the more common dog problems such as hip dysplasia, bloat, ear infections and dental disease among others.

If your Irish Jack Russell is in pain, he is lethargic and sick, don’t delay – take him to the vet right away.

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.

Grooming:

irish jack russell dogs - caringThe Irish Jack Russell is an average shedder with his short or longish coat which is easy to groom, requiring a brush once or twice a week. His nails grow quickly too and they can get caught on something and cause him damage. Trim your pet’s nails to prevent this.

Diet:

Feed your Irish Jack Russell good quality dog food each day. If you feed him commercially manufactured dog food, be certain to check the feeding instructions on the packaging.

He is a small dog, and overfeeding can be just as bad as under-feeding. It’s never a good idea to just go on and on feeding your pet dry or wet kibble day after day. Add in some cooked chicken, rice, pasta and vegetables as a treat and to also provide some variety for him.

Also a little bit of raw meat occasionally can do him the world of good and you’ll see the appreciation in his bright eyes and wagging tail.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Cairn Terrier vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Cairn Terrier vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Cairn Terrier vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Cairn Terrier vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  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
  12. Cairn Terrier vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Cairn Terrier vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Cairn Terrier vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Cairn Terrier vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Cairn Terrier vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Cairn Terrier vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Cairn Terrier vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Cairn Terrier vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Cairn Terrier vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Cairn Terrier vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Cairn Terrier vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Cairn Terrier vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Cairn Terrier vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Cairn Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Irish Jack Russell vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Irish Jack Russell vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Irish Jack Russell vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Irish Jack Russell vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Irish Jack Russell vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Irish Jack Russell vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Irish Jack Russell vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Irish Jack Russell vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Irish Jack Russell vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Irish Jack Russell vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Irish Jack Russell vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Irish Jack Russell vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Irish Jack Russell vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Irish Jack Russell vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Irish Jack Russell vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Irish Jack Russell vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Irish Jack Russell vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Irish Jack Russell vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Irish Jack Russell vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Irish Jack Russell vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Irish Jack Russell vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Irish Jack Russell vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Irish Jack Russell vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Irish Jack Russell vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Irish Jack Russell vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison