The current breed standard was approved by the CTCA in 1937
and adopted by the AKC in 1938. Other standards have been used in
the United States prior to the adoption of the current
standard.
[1921] [1925] [1938]
Other Resources: AKC Gazette, Rogers, Alice and Corrine S. W. Ward: Why We Needed a New Standard for the Cairn. October 1934, pp. 17-21, 152.
General Appearance: Chief characteristic a foxey head. Dog to be small, shaggy, hardy, active and game. To be strongly, but not heavily built. To stand well forward on forefeet To have strong hind quarters and to be deep in the rib. The head to be small, but in proportion to body and well furnished with hair on forehead. Coat to be harsh, resisting rain.
Skull: Broad in proportion, with a decided indentation between the eyes.
Muzzle: Powerful yet not heavy. Jaw very strong with large teeth neither overshot or undershot Nose black.
Eyes: Set wide apart To be medium in size, dark and keen. To be rather sunken, with shaggy eyebrows.
Ears: Small, pointed, widely-set, well-carried and erect.
Tail: Short, well furnished with hair but not feathery. To be carried gaily, but not to curl down toward back.
Body: Compact. Straight back, well sprung, deep ribs, strong sinews and very strong hindquarters Back to be medium in length and well coupled.
Shoulders, Legs and Feet: A sloping shoulder and a medium length of leg: good but not too heavy bone. Forelegs not to be out at elbows, but forefeet may be slightly turned out. Forefeet larger than hind feet. Thin, ferrety feet objectionable. Pads to be thick and strong. Legs to be covered with hard hair.
Coat: Very important. Must be double with profuse, harsh, but not coarse outer coat and short, close furry under coat. Head to be well furnished. Color any except white. Black points typical.
Weight: Dogs, twelve to fifteen pounds. Bitches, eleven to thirteen pounds.
Faults:
Muzzle: Overshot or undershot.
Eyes: Too prominent and large.
Ears: Too large or rounded at tips, or too heavily
furnished with hair.
Coat: Silky or curly. A slight wave permissible.
Scale Of Points
General Appearance
(size and coat)
Shoulders, Legs
and Feet
5
Total
100
Disqualifications
Flesh-colored nose.
Cross-breeding with “Scottish Terrier.”
General Appearance: Chief characteristic is a foxy head, which should be small, but in proportion to body and well furnished with hair on forehead. Dog to be small, shaggy, hardy, active and game. To be strongly, but not heavily built. To stand well forward on forefeet. To have strong hindquarters and to be deep in the rib. Coat to be harsh, resisting rain.
Skull: Broad in proportion, with a decided indentation between the eyes.
Muzzle: Powerful yet not heavy. Jaw very strong with large teeth neither overshot or undershot. Nose black.
Eyes: Set wide apart. To be medium in size, dark and keen. To be rather sunken, with shaggy eyebrows.
Ears: Small, pointed, widely-set, well-carried and erect.
Tail: short, well furnished with hair but not feathery. To be carried gaily, but not to curl down toward back.
Body: Compact. Straight back, well sprung deep ribs, strong sinews and very strong hindquarters. Back to be medium in length and well coupled.
Shoulders, Legs and Feet: A sloping shoulder and a medium length of leg; good but not too heavy bone. Forelegs not to be out at elbows, but forefeet may be slightly turned out. Forefeet larger than hind feet. Thin ferrety feet objectionable. Pads to be thick and strong. Legs to be covered with hard hair.
Coat: Very important. Must be double with profuse, harsh, but not coarse outer coat and short, close, furry undercoat. Head to be well furnished. Color any except white. Black points typical.
Ideal Weight: Dogs twelve to fifteen pounds, bitches eleven to thirteen pounds.
Scale of
Points
General Appearance
(size and coat)
Body, Neck and
Chest
Shoulders, Legs
and Feet
Faults:
Muzzle: Undershot or overshot.
Eyes: Too prominent and large.
Ears: Too large or rounded at tips, or too heavily furnished with hair.
Coat: Silky or curly. A slight wave permissible.
Disqualification
Flesh-colored nose.
General Appearance: That of an active, game, hardy, small working terrier of the short-legged class; very free in its movements, strongly but not heavily built, standing well forward on its forelegs, deep in the ribs, well coupled with strong hindquarters and presenting a well-proportioned build with a medium length of back, having a hard, weather-resisting coat; head shorter and wider than any other terrier and well furnished with hair, giving a general foxy expression.
Skull: Broad in proportion to the length with a decided stop and well furnished with hair on the top of the head, which may be somewhat softer than the body.
Muzzle: Strong but not too long or heavy.
Teeth: Large, mouth neither overshot nor undershot.
Nose: Black.
Eyes: Set wide apart, rather sunken, with shaggy eyebrows, medium in size, hazel or dark hazel in color, depending on body color, with a keen terrier expression
Ears: Small, pointed, well carried erectly, set wide apart on the side of the head. Free from long hairs.
Tail: Tail in proportion to head, well furnished with hair but not feathery. Carried gaily but must not curl over back. Set on at back level.
Body: Well muscled, strong, active body with well-sprung, deep ribs, coupled to strong hindquarters, with a level back of medium length, giving an impression of strength and activity without heaviness.
Shoulders, Legs and Feet: A sloping shoulder, medium length of leg, good but not too heavy bone; forelegs should not be out at elbows, and be perfectly straight, but forefeet may be slightly turned out. Forefeet larger than hind feet. Legs must be covered with hard hair. Pads should be thick and strong and dog should stand well up on its feet.
Coat: Hard and weather-resistant. Must be double-coated with profuse harsh outer coat and short, soft, close furry undercoat.
Color: May be of any color except white. Dark ears, muzzle and tail tip are desirable.
Ideal Size: Involves the weight, the height at the withers and the length of body. Weight for bitches, thirteen pounds; for dogs, fourteen pounds. Height at the withers, bitches nine and a half inches; dogs, ten inches. Length of body from fourteen and a quarter to fifteen inches from the front of the chest to back of hindquarters. The dog must be of balanced proportions and appear neither too short nor too long in body. Weight and measurements are for mature dogs at two years of age. Older dogs may weigh slightly in excess and growing dogs may be under these weights and measurements.
Condition: Dogs should be shown in good hard flesh, well muscled and neither too fat or thin. Should be in full good coat with plenty of head furnishings, be clean, combed, brushed and tidied up on the ears, tail, feet and general outline. Should move freely and easily on a loose lead, should not cringe on being handled, should stand up on their toes and show with marked terrier characteristics.
Faults:
Skull: Too narrow in
skull
Muzzle: Too long and
heavy a foreface; mouth overshot or undershot.
Eyes: Too large,
prominent, yellow and ringed are all objectionable.
Ears: Too large, round at
points, set too close together, set too high on the head;
heavily covered with hair.
Legs and Feet: Too light
or too heavy bone. Crooked forelegs or out at the elbow. Thin
ferrety feet; feet let down on the heel or to open and
spread. Too high or too low on the leg.
Body: Too short back and
compact a body, hampering quickness of movement and turning
ability. Too long, weedy and snaky a body, giving an
impression of weakness. Tail set too low. Back not
level.
Coat: Open coats, blousy
coats, too short or dead coats, lack of sufficient undercoat,
lack of head furnishings, lack of hard hair on the legs.
Silkiness or curliness. A slight wave permissible.
Nose: Flesh or
light-colored nose
Color: White on chest,
feet or other parts of body.
