About our adoption process

NOTE: Adoption here refers to the purchase of a Cairn

Every litter born at Blair Hill is carefully planned for the sole purpose of bringing our next show dog and pet into our family.   Those we cannot not keep ourselves are offered for sale to loving homes as companions or show or performance dogs.  For more information about our ethics and commitment to dogs click here.

We believe that a close match of Cairn temperament to family lifestyle and personalities is essential for a happy, harmonious relationship. Selecting homes for our Cairns is one of the most tedious tasks we undertake.  Our primary concern is for the welfare of our dogs.

If there are no puppies or adults available when you inquire, we encourage you to move through the adoption process to reserve a puppy from a future litter.  Here's how the adoption process works:

Contact Blair Hill

Contact Blair Hill: Email or use our online form to tell us about your experience with dogs and your expectations for your new Cairn.  We will let you know when we expect to have Cairns available.

The Application and interview

Either in person or on the telephone, we will ask you about your lifestyle and family and experience with dogs.  Your responses will be kept confidential and will help us select a temperament that best matches your lifestyle.

Initial visit to Blair Hill

If you live in, or can travel to, the Minneapolis area you will have an opportunity to meet our Cairns.    

Site visit if applicable

We may ask to visit your home to confirm that you have a safe exercise area for your Cairn.  If you live outside the Minneapolis metro area, we may ask you to send us photographs.  

Reservation

Once we agree that a Blair Hill Cairn is right for your family, we will accept a deposit.  

Temperament evaluation of puppies

We stimulate and socialize our puppies beginning at birth, but serious evaluation of temperament and physical traits is done between the ages of 7 and 12 weeks. 

Placement

The age at which puppies go to their new homes varies depending on the lifestyle of the family and the temperament of the puppy--usually between 10 and 16 weeks.