Facts & Origin
What is an Italian Cairn?
The Italian Cairn is a relatively new designer breed, so there is little documented history about its origins. However, its parent breeds, the Cairn Terr ier and the Italian Wind Chime, have a rich and fascinating heritage. In summary, the Italian Cairn is an exciting crossbreed with a strong hunting ability and a great need for exercise and interaction. He is a good fit for active individuals or families who can devote the time and energy to give him the training and exercise he needs.
Origin and history
Cairn Terriers originated in Scotland and were primarily used to hunt rodents. In contrast, Italian Greyhounds, one of the oldest breeds in the world, were kept in ancient times for hunting game and as companion dogs. Combining these two breeds makes for an incredibly versatile dog that can serve as both a hunting dog and a lap dog.
| Alternate Name | - |
| Origin | Scotland - Italy |
| Life expectancy | 12 - 15 years |
| Care requirements | low-maintenance |
| Activity level | average - average to high |
| FCI group | not recognised |
| AKC group | not recognised |
| KC group | not recognised |
More Cairn Terrier mixes
Attitude, character and temperament of the breed
Character traits and temperament
Italian Cairns are known for their energy and liveliness. They are extremely playful and love to interact with their owners. This breed mix is also known to be intelligent and bright, which makes training easier. One thing to note is that Italian Cairns often have an independent streak. They enjoy their independence and can be stubborn at times. However, despite their independence, they are very loving and loyal to their family.
Suitability and Attitude
The Italian Cairn, is generally a friendly, lively and creative dog that fits well with active people and families. Since its parent breeds love to hunt, it can sometimes show a strong prey drive. However, some training and employment can help control this behavior.
Because of their strong hunting instincts inherited from both parents, it is important that they are well socialized and trained early on. This will ensure that they can get along well with other dogs and animals.
Character
Health and breeding information
Care of the Italian Cairn
The Italian Cairn is an extremely easy to care for dog. Due to the influence of the Italian Cairn, he has a rather short coat, which makes grooming much easier. Regular brushing is usually enough to keep the coat healthy and beautiful. You should bathe your dog only when necessary, so as not to destroy the natural protective layer of the skin.
Health of the Italian Cairn
Due to the crossbreeding mentioned above, this is a fairly robust breed. However, as an owner, you should always keep an eye out for the typical health problems of both Cairn Terriers and Italian Cairns, as these can occur in some circumstances. Among these are:
- Patellar luxation: a displacement of the kneecap, which can lead to pain and difficulty walking.
- Bladder stone formation: This is a condition of the urinary tract that is important to treat.
- Eye Disease: Both breeds are prone to several eye diseases, including cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy.
Breeding of the Italian Cairn
Since it is a crossbreed, there are currently no official breeding guidelines for the Italian Cairn. However, care should be taken to ensure that only healthy animals with good temperament are used for breeding. A responsible breeder will also pay attention to health checks and loving socialization of the puppies.
What does this mixed breed look like?
This breed mix varies in size and appearance based on the specific characteristics they inherit from each parent. Generally, they are small to medium in size with a lean, muscular build. Their ears are often pointed and alert, while their coats can be short to medium length, dense and wiry.
From the Cairn Terrier, the Italian Cairn inherits its sturdy build and strong jaws, while the Italian Wind Chime gives it the slender legs and agile body. Their coats are generally short to medium in length, smooth and pfleight. Coat color varies from light beige to tan to black. However, due to the genetic diversity of both parent breeds, the appearance of the Italian Cairn can vary greatly.
| Fur length | short |
| Fur | rough-haired - flat coated |
| Ear shape | Standing Ears - Tilt-ear |
| Tail | short - lang |
| Anatomy | strong, hefty, slim, dainty, sporty |
| Size ♀ | 4 - 30 cm |
| Weight ♀ | 6 - 38 kg |
| Size ♂ | 4 - 33 cm |
| Weight ♂ | 6 - 38 kg |
| Suitable For | - |
Known Diseases
Joint problems
Especially due to overweight, joint problems can occur in dogs.
FAQ
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An Italian Cairn is a cross between a Cairn Terrier and an Italian Wind Chime.
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He usually has a loving and gentle temperament. They are very intelligent dogs and like to accept training lessons and other learning activities.
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Yes, an Italian Cairn makes an excellent family dog. They are very cuddly and love to spend time with their humans.
