Cairn Terrier vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison

Cairn Terrier vs Border Collie - Breed ComparisonBoth Border Collie and Cairn Terrier are originated from United Kingdom. Border Collie may grow 23 cm / 10 inches higher than Cairn Terrier. Border Collie may weigh 12 kg / 27 pounds more than Cairn Terrier. Both Border Collie and Cairn Terrier has almost same life span. Both Border Collie and Cairn Terrier has almost same litter size. Border Collie requires Moderate Maintenance. But Cairn Terrier requires Low Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Terrier dog
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United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Height Male:
48 - 56 cm
18 - 23 inches
25 - 33 cm
9 - 13 inches
Height Female:
46 - 53 cm
18 - 21 inches
23 - 33 cm
9 - 13 inches
Weight Male:
14 - 20 kg
30 - 45 pounds
5 - 8 kg
11 - 18 pounds
Weight Female:
12 - 20 kg
26 - 45 pounds
5 - 8 kg
11 - 18 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 17 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 8
2 - 10
Size:
Medium
Small
Other Names:
Scotch Sheep Dog, Sheepdog
Cairn, Toto Dog
Colors Available:
White and Black, Chocolate and White, Liver and White or Blue Merle
Black, Brindle, Cream, Wheaten, Red, Grey
Coat:
Moderately long and smooth
Medium length and wiry
Shedding:
Moderate, Seasonal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
Yes
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

border collieThe Border Collie originated in Northumberland and was used to herd livestock. He is particularly well known for his intense stare in controlling the sheep in his care. The name Border Collier wasn’t used until 1915. This was so that the dog could be registered as a separate breed together with other Collie breeds already registered.

Sheepdog trials have been held since 1873. The very name of this dog gives you an inkling as to his heritage, as the word ‘Collie’ refers to sheepdogs and comes from Scottish dialect. Today the Border Collie is recognized as the ultimate sheep-herding dog, with his amazing intelligence and herding skills. The Border Collie was recognized by the American Kennel Club in October 1995.

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.

Description

border collie puppy - descriptionUtterly responsive, intelligent, alert and keen, the medium sized border collie loves nothing more than to be actively working. He requires both mental and physical stimulation. The ideal height for this very intelligent dog is 46 – 53cm and they weigh in at about 14 – 22kg.

People who have been to sheepdog trials can only marvel a this dog and his intense stare, moving the sheep to precisely where his master wants them. The dog has a moderately long and smooth coat with a dense topcoat, with soft weather resistant undercoat. Most common color is black and white but other colors such as chocolate and white, liver and white or blue merle are also seen.

There are a few Border Collies which have a single-colour coat. He has a long feathery tail and the ears can be either erect, semi-erect and in some instances, even dropped. He has brown eyes but sometimes with the Merle Border Collie you can get one eye or part of the eye which is blue.

Border Collies are playful, energetic dogs who just love living in homes where the family involves him in all their activities. Because he is so intelligent, he is demanding of his human family, wanting them to take notice of him and provide him with lots of clever games and sports. If he is left without involvement, he can become frustrated and destructive. That is why it is so important to choose your pet carefully.

These highly energetic dogs require owners who recognize this need and are prepared to provide him with lots of games, walks and runs.

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.

Characteristics

border collie dog - characteristicsThe Border Collie is such an awesome working dog breed, being of tremendous help to farmers. With their endless energy and stamina, given the chance he would want to be working all day. This medium sized dog will need a family where they are hard working and active just like him. He makes a wonderful pet with the right owners and if everyone is active in the family, he becomes your devoted soulmate.

He is sensitive to what his owner wants and that is also because he is highly intelligent. Shower your wonderful pet with lots of love, give him lots of attention and plenty of activities, and you’ll have an awesome friend for life.

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.

Health Problems

border collie puppies - health problemsIf your Border Collie is healthy, he can live to be 14 years of age and longer. There are one or two dog ailments that are more common in this breed, so it is wise to be aware of what can go wrong, although with good care it is highly unlikely.

Epilepsy

Primary epilepsy, known as idiopathic epilepsy can be seen in your dog before the age of 5 years, and although a genetic link in border collies has not yet been identified, idiopathic epilepsy is more prevalent in some breeds. Seizures in your dog are caused by electrical disturbances in the brain and treatment may be for life. While epilepsy in dogs can’t be cured, the condition can be managed with medication recommended by your vet and then he can lead a healthy life.

Hip Dysplasia

Collies are prone to developing hip dysplasia, which is an inherited condition with abnormal formation of the hip socket. For your pet it can mean lameness as well as painful arthritis. You’ll see your collie dog battling to rise after lying down. It is actually common in lots of dog breeds, but more so in larger breeds.

Collie eye anomaly

This is an inherited problem that can lead to your dog going blind. About 70 to 97% of collies in the UK and the United States are affected. Your veterinarian will examine your dog to determine the extent of the defect. It is common in the first year of a dog and can be be prevented if caught early.

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.

Caring The Pet

Exercise

border collie dogs - caringThis is a dog that will need plenty of exercise and attention. He won’t do well cooped up in a tiny home. He’ll want lots of place to run and play and with his owners involved in his activities. It is unfair of any dog owner to buy a dog like this and then leave him so that he becomes distressed from being ignored.

Training

Do your dog a favor and see that he is socialized as a puppy and trained as he grows older. Once he has been trained, he becomes a super pet, obedient, sensitive and willing to please.

Grooming

Border collies shed throughout the year, and with Summer his shedding becomes a bit more. He will require a good brushing at least twice a week to get rid of loose hairs and to ensure that the long hair doesn’t become tangled. He isn’t considered hypoallergenic and is regarded as a safe pet to have for people with allergies.

Feeding

This high energy working dog will require top quality food from the top brands if you intend feeding him from commercially produced dog food. He will certainly need raw meat added to this food from time to time to ensure you stave off skin problems such as rashes. You can also add in rice, meat and vegetables for variety to ensure his is getting in all the minerals and vitamins he needs. Fresh, cool water should always be available to him day and night.

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.

Comparison with other breeds

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