Miniature Dachshund vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison

Miniature Dachshund vs Cairn Terrier - Breed ComparisonMiniature Dachshund is originated from Germany but Cairn Terrier is originated from United Kingdom. Miniature Dachshund may grow 15 cm / 5 inches shorter than Cairn Terrier. Both Miniature Dachshund and Cairn Terrier are having almost same weight. Both Miniature Dachshund and Cairn Terrier has almost same life span. Miniature Dachshund may have less litter size than Cairn Terrier. Both Miniature Dachshund and Cairn Terrier requires Low maintenance.

History

miniature dachshund - historyThe Dachshund breed is ancient and was developed in Germany sometime around the 16th century.

It was in 1870 that Dachshunds first came to the United States to be used for hunting. During the 19th century, German hunters wanted smaller dachshunds.

The Dachshund was crossed with toy terriers. The coat comes in three coats – smooth-, long-haired and wire-haired. There is just one size of Miniature Dachshund in the UK and the United States.

cairn terrier - historyThe Cairn Terrier originates in the Scottish Highlands. This feisty little dog was given the name Cairn, as he used to hunt prey between the Scottish cairns. At first the dog was grouped as a ‘Skye Terrier’way back in the 1900s with the Scottish and West Highland White Terrier. Then the different breeds began to be bred separately.

The name Cairn Terrier didn’t appear in print till 1887. It was in 1912 that the Kennel Club of the United Kingdom recognized the Cairn Terrier.

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Terrier dog
Origin:
Germany
United Kingdom
Height Male:
13 - 18 cm
5 - 8 inches
25 - 33 cm
9 - 13 inches
Height Female:
13 - 18 cm
5 - 8 inches
23 - 33 cm
9 - 13 inches
Weight Male:
3 - 5 kg
6 - 12 pounds
5 - 8 kg
11 - 18 pounds
Weight Female:
3 - 5 kg
6 - 12 pounds
5 - 8 kg
11 - 18 pounds
Life Span:
14 - 17 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 5
2 - 10
Size:
Small dog
Small dog
Other Names:
Badger Dog, Wiener Dog, Sausage Dog, Mini Sausage
Cairn, Toto Dog
Colors Available:
cream, chocolate etc, black, Red, black and tan
Black, Brindle, Cream, Wheaten, Red, Grey
Coat:
Long or short
Medium length and wiry
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
Yes
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

miniature dachshund puppy - descriptionComing in a range of colors such as red, black, black and tan, cream, chocolate etc, the coat of the Miniature Dachshund can be long or short. Both male and females stand at between 13 – 18cm and weigh between 3 and 5kg.

These dogs are characterized by the long back and very short legs with floppy ears and a long tail. The face is always bright and alert.

Temperament:

The Miniature Dachshund is a small dog and can happily adapt to life in the city as well as in the countryside. This is because with their exercise needs, they don’t require a huge garden but can in fact, exercise indoors.

They’ve always been bred to hunt and are independent and feisty. They’re also intelligent and will do well with training and socialization.

They are also devoted to their families and are known to bark when strangers come near their family. They’ve got a lot of energy and just love being involved with games or going on a walk. Consider him when going on a walk though as his little legs have to take many more steps as compared to your one step.

They can be stubborn, but are friendly, lovable little pets, they aren’t suited for homes with toddlers unless the children have been taught to be exceedingly gentle and kind with animals, especially small, fragile ones like this. They can so easily get hurt.

Temperament:

cairn terrier puppy - descriptionThe small sturdily built working Terrier is intelligent and courageous. Bright-eyed, he is small and active and he just loves to work- and party hard with his human family. You’ll see if you’ve got a ball you want to throw for him, his tail is quivering in anticipation and his ears are erect and alert to any noise. He is smart, independent and courageous.

Coat of Many Colors:

The Cairn Terrier has a tough, weather-resistant coat that can be any color but not white. He has a waterproof double coat – the outer one being wiry while the undercoat is soft. You’ll find the coat in man colours such as grey, black, red and brindle with dark points on the ears and muzzle.

The interesting thing with a Cairn is that when you get a puppy, you can’t be sure what color he will end up being as it changes over the years. The ears are fox-like, small and erect, and the natural medium-to-short tail is held straight out.

Characteristics

miniature dachshund dog - characteristicsThe Miniature Dachshund has lots of qualities which make him such a splendid pet. He is intelligent, brave, bold and loyal with his human family.

He is fun-loving and energetic and thrives on lots of games and walks. He is versatile in nature and also loves to take things easy indoors with his family.

These little dogs form strong bonds with their family and don’t like to be left on their own. When you have one of these as a pet you’re allowing a whole lot of joy into your home.

cairn terrier dog - characteristicsThe Cairn Terrier is a fearless, jaunty little dog, known for his courageous spirit and inquisitive nature. He may be small, but he is stubborn. He will respond well to training and socialization which will turn him into the most awesome pet for families. He can make a wonderful friend and playmate for children too. Socialization and training ensures he gets on well with other pets in the household too.

He is small and energetic, and therefore not the kind of dog you can ignore in terms of exercise. He’ll need a good walk every day and he just loves to chase a ball as it takes him back to the days when he was used to chasing- and catching mice.

He isn’t your typical lap-dog at all and with the right care he becomes a devoted, loyal and loving companion.

Health Problems

miniature dachshund puppies - health problemsBe very careful with the Miniature Dachshund because of their long backs. You don't want to be allowing him to be jumping off chairs etc as their backs are prone to injury. To solve the problem you can buy special stairs and ramps for small dogs.

They can live to be between 12 and 14 years of age when looked after well.

A disease that is fairly common in the Miniature Dachshund is Intervertebral Disc Disease, a condition where the cushioning discs between the vertebrae of the spinal column bulge or burst into the spinal cord space, pressing on the nerves and causing nerve damage and worse, paralysis.

Symptoms of the disease include among others

  • whimpering or whining in agony
  • pain in rear legs as well as weakness
  • unwillingness to jump and reduction in activity levels
  • hunched back
  • loss of bladder- and bowel control

cairn terrier puppies - health problemsThe Cairn Terrier is a robust little dog, and with good care can reach 14 years of age and even older. However, with every dog breed there are some health concerns particular to that breed. With your Cairn Terrier look out for a disease known as Globoid cell leukodystrophy (GCL).

Globoid cell leukodystrophy (GCL)

Known also as Krabbe Disease, Globoid cell leukodystrophy (GLD) is a rare but fatal disease. It is caused by a mutation on the dog’s DNA. There is abnormal processing of an enzyme needed for the production of myelin, a substance that protects the nerves in the brain and spinal cord. The dog is weak, it has tremors and isn’t co-ordinated. The Cairn Terrier is a breed of dog more susceptible to GCL.

Bone and joint diseases

Your Cairn Terrier may well suffer with joint diseases. These diseases, such as luxating patella which is about loose knee joints, and hip dysplasia which is a degenerative hip disease, can cause plenty of pain and discomfort for your pet.

Eye Diseases

Glaucoma is an eye disease where there is pressure on the eye, causing inadequate fluid drainage. Without treatment, there can be damage to the optic nerve which can lead to blindness.

Caring The Pet

miniature dachshund dogs - caringDachshunds can put on weight quickly and you want to avoid this at all costs as extra weight can put strain on the back.

If you feed your Mini Dachshund commercially manufactured dog food, choose the best quality ones, high in vitamins and minerals and avoid some of the cheaper ones that use unwholesome fillers, colorants, sugar and lots of salt, all of which can be toxic for your pet.

Of course home-made food is always best, but not any foods either. It is best with any dog to keep their foods simple and consistent so as to avoid stomach problems. Chopped up boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and some cooked vegetables such as potatoes carrots and spinach will do wonders for him. Make sure that there is a constant supply of fresh, cool water for him.

Grooming:

A good brush of the coat twice a week will do fine for your Miniature Dachshund. Remember to check him over for fleas and ticks when you brush him and to feel for any unusual lumps. Keep the nails trimmed.

Check both eyes and ears for infection. There are ways to keep the inside of long eared dog breeds clean and dry, but if you’re unsure there are always professional groomers who will do the job for you, and clean their teeth at the same time. You can brush your dogs teeth 2 or 3 times a week to avoid plaque build up, gum infection and tooth loss.

Grooming:

cairn terrier dogs - caringThe Cairn Terrier sheds very little and the coat is easy to groom. Give him a thorough brushing twice a week to rid him of loose hairs. Some trimming will be needed as the coat can become shaggy and unruly.

Brush his teeth at least 2 or 3 times a week to prevent tartar build up that can lead to bacteria, gum disease and possible tooth loss.

Diet:

The Cairn Terrier is small but he is an active dog and therefore needs to be on a high-quality dog food. If you feed him a commercially manufactured food, make sure its appropriate to his age, size and activity levels.

He is a small dog so you want to be careful about not letting him become overweight. Try and alternate his commercially manufactured food with some home-made rice, vegetables and meat and also include some raw meat in from time to time. This is of particular importance as chronic skin allergies are common in all terrier breeds. Make sure that there is always a clean bowl of fresh water available to him day and night.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Miniature Dachshund vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  2. Miniature Dachshund vs Dachshund - Breed Comparison
  3. Miniature Dachshund vs Beaglier - Breed Comparison
  4. Miniature Dachshund vs Bluetick Beagle - Breed Comparison
  5. Miniature Dachshund vs Basset Artesien Normand - Breed Comparison
  6. Portuguese Podengo vs Miniature Dachshund - Breed Comparison
  7. Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen vs Miniature Dachshund - Breed Comparison
  8. Pomeranian vs Miniature Dachshund - Breed Comparison
  9. Pug vs Miniature Dachshund - Breed Comparison
  10. Miniature Schnauzer vs Miniature Dachshund - Breed Comparison
  11. Papillon vs Miniature Dachshund - Breed Comparison
  12. Miniature English Bulldog vs Miniature Dachshund - Breed Comparison
  13. Miniature Dachshund vs Maltese - Breed Comparison
  14. Miniature Dachshund vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  15. Miniature Dachshund vs Maltipoo - Breed Comparison
  16. Miniature Dachshund vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  17. Miniature Dachshund vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  18. Miniature Dachshund vs Jack Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  19. Miniature Dachshund vs Cockapoo - Breed Comparison
  20. Miniature Dachshund vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Miniature Dachshund vs Cavapoo - Breed Comparison
  22. Miniature Dachshund vs Corgi - Breed Comparison
  23. Miniature Dachshund vs Cavachon - Breed Comparison
  24. Jack Russell Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  25. Miniature Schnauzer vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Cairn Terrier vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  27. Cairn Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  28. Cairn Terrier vs Border Terrier - Breed Comparison
  29. Cairn Terrier vs Australian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  30. Cairn Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Cairn Terrier vs Bull Terrier Miniature - Breed Comparison
  32. Cairn Terrier vs Black and Tan Terrier - Breed Comparison
  33. Cairn Terrier vs Cairland Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Rat Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  35. Scottish Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  36. Patterdale Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  37. Norwich Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  38. Norfolk Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  39. English White Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  40. Parson Russell Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  41. Russell Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  42. Feist vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  43. Manchester Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  44. Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  45. Miniature Fox Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Cesky Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  47. Glen of Imaal Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  48. Schnorkie vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds