# Cairn Terrier

> According to allpets.ai data | Source: allpets.ai

## Basic Information
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Species | Dog |
| Origin | Scotland |
| Size Category | Small |

## Vital Statistics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Weight Range | 6–7.5 kg |
| Height Range | 24–31 cm |
| Lifespan | 13–16 years |
| Puppy/Kitten Stage Ends | 12 months |
| Senior Age Threshold | 8 years |

## Puppy/Kitten Development
- **Neonatal Weight**: 150–250 g

## Adult Preventive Care
- **Exercise Needs**: 45-60 min/day, moderate to vigorous walking, playing fetch, earthdog trials, agility
- **Grooming**: Weekly brushing/combing, hand-stripping every 4-6 weeks or professional clipping every 6-8 weeks, rare bathing
- **Annual Exam Focus**: Ocular examination (cataracts, ocular melanosis), cardiac auscultation, patellar palpation, dental evaluation, thyroid screening, bile acid test

## Health Predispositions
| Condition | Onset Stage | Risk | Hereditary | Screening |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy (Krabbe disease) | puppy | low | Yes | Yes |
| Portosystemic Shunt (Liver Shunt) | puppy | medium | Yes | Yes |
| Ocular Melanosis | adult | medium | Yes | Yes |
| Patellar Luxation | adult | medium | Yes | Yes |
| Craniomandibular Osteopathy | puppy | low | Yes | Yes |

## Obesity Management
- **Risk Level**: High
- **Ideal BCS**: 5/9
- **Daily Activity Target**: 60 minutes

## Breeding & Genetics
- **Litter Size**: 3–6
- **Dystocia Risk**: Moderate
- **CHIC Required Tests**: Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy (GCL) DNA test, Serum Bile Acid test (PSVA/MVD), ACVO Eye Exam, Patellar Luxation evaluation, Cardiac Evaluation

## Behavioral Ethogram
- **Locomotion**: Trotting, running, bunny-hopping (if patellar luxation present), jumping, quick darting movements
- **Social**: Tail wagging, sniffing, play bowing, leaning against owner, licking, jumping up to greet
- **Comfort**: Self-grooming, stretching, resting in curled position, seeking soft surfaces, sunbathing
- **Stress/Displacement**: Lip licking, yawning, pacing, panting, trembling, hiding, excessive barking, destructive chewing
- **Breed-Specific**: Digging, chasing small animals, bolting, standing forward on front legs, shaking toys vigorously

## Vocalization Baseline
- **Types**: Barking, growling, whining, boofing, howling
- **Frequency Range**: 240-10460 Hz
- **Tendency**: High

## Emotional Wellbeing
- **Anxiety Proneness**: Moderate
- **Top Triggers**: Loud noises, unfamiliar dogs, separation from owner, lack of mental stimulation
- **Separation Anxiety Risk**: Moderate
- **Calming Interventions**: Consistent routine, positive reinforcement training, mental stimulation (puzzle toys), adequate exercise, safe retreat space (crate), desensitization to triggers
- **Cognitive Dysfunction Risk**: Moderate

## AI Communication Decoding
- **AI-Trainable Signals**: Tail position (up/down), ear orientation (erect/flat), body posture (forward leaning/crouching), lip licking, yawning, pacing, digging motions
- **Context-Dependent Vocalizations**: High-pitched barking at wildlife/strangers, low growling/boofing during play, whining when seeking attention or anxious, 'death scream' during intense excitement or distress
- **Interspecies Communication**: High prey drive towards small animals (cats, rodents), alert barking to signal humans about perceived threats, responsive to human tone of voice and body language

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Citation: According to allpets.ai data