Choosing the
appropriate pet
Pets for children
Coming home
Food
and shelter
Medical care
Spay and
neuter
Vaccinations
Compliance with laws
Exercise
Training
Identification
Care while
away
Lifetime
commitment
The space in your home and yard, the ages of children at home,
compatibility with other pets, your ability to handle pet emergency-related
expenses, and the amount of time someone will be at home must all be
carefully considered before deciding on the size and breed of dog for your
family.
Dogs need time, attention and training from their owners to be
well-socialized family members. Segregation from the family's activities can
often lead to behavior problems. Cairns adapt well to households where
owners work outside the home if they are given adequate attention during
“together times.” Consider an adult from a responsible breeder if your
family’s activities outside the home limit the time you can spend with a
dog.
Many parents want a pet "for the children". Consider your child's
personality before deciding the kind of pet. A dog is a wonderful way to
teach a child responsibility, but pet care and the way the children interact
with the dog should be supervised by the parent. Cairns generally love
children but are highly intelligent and learn bad habits quickly.
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Don’t take for granted a Cairn will stay in the yard or come back home if
he gets out. Cairns often get so focused on what they are doing, e.g.,
chasing a squirrel, they will not realize how far away they get from home.
Cairns are not “outside” dogs. Even though they are hardy and can
withstand the elements they should never be housed outside.
Minimum yearly costs for a thirty pound dog barring any emergencies or
complications - is $270. This figure could easily double or triple with an
accident or illness.
The spaying or neutering of your Cairn will save you money and
inconvenience in the long run and will produce a healthier, happier pet. The
operation should take place just as soon as possible, approximately six to
eight months. It does not help a female to have a heat or a litter before
she is spayed. The operation only affects your pet's personality for the
better.
It is essential that the initial series of vaccination begun at the
adopting facility be completed and kept up to date each year.
In most communities your dog is in violation of leash laws if it is not
confined by a fence, chain, or leash - this applies whether or not the
animal remains on your property. Dogs should never be confined by a rope or
chain when unattended. This leads to aggression and behavior problems. Dogs
are required by law to receive regular rabies shots and dogs must be
licensed by your county on a yearly basis.
Exercise prevents a bored or overweight pet. Dogs require a fenced yard
and daily walks on a leash with their owners.
Every Cairn owner should participate in some form of obedience class. It
will help produce a happy, well-adjusted pet and teach you, the owner, how
to communicate with your Cairn. A large percentage of pets are given away
because of unnecessary behavior problems that could have been prevented.
Every dog should wear a tag at all times which lists your address and
phone number and an emergency name and number should you not be available,
i.e., vacation. Dogs are required by law to wear rabies and registration
tags.
In hot weather, dogs should never be left in a parked car, even with the
windows cracked. Because they are unable to perspire, they are likely to
suffer brain damage or die in a very short time. Dogs allowed to hang out of
a window or ride in the back of an open truck are exposed to injuries from
flying debris.
It is usually not satisfactory to simply have someone "look in on" your
pet while you're away. House or pet sitters or boarding can cost $5 to
$20 up per day but are worth it. They will know what to do in the event of an
emergency.
We have a very serious pet overpopulation problem in the United States.
Excluding those from responsible breeders, only one puppy in six can expect
to find a home.
Dogs may be inconvenient. Your lifestyle changes with moving, having
children, and personal relationships. Please consider this before adopting
so that you are prepared for a twelve to fifteen year commitment.
