Cairn Terrier vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison

Cairn Terrier vs American Bulldog - Breed ComparisonCairn Terrier is originated from United Kingdom but American Bulldog is originated from United States. Cairn Terrier may grow 37 cm / 14 inches shorter than American Bulldog. Cairn Terrier may weigh 46 kg / 101 pounds lesser than American Bulldog. Both Cairn Terrier and American Bulldog has almost same life span. Both Cairn Terrier and American Bulldog has almost same litter size. Both Cairn Terrier and American Bulldog requires Low maintenance.

History

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.

american bulldog - historyFollowing World War II, the American Bulldog was almost extinct.

Thanks to John D. Johnson from Summerville, Georgia the breed is still with us today. He gathered the best dogs he could find throughout the rural South and bred them back into popularity among his family and other rural families. His father bred the American Bulldog before John did and they have bred them longer than any other in any part of the world. His dogs were regularly used for tracking, hunting, guarding, watchdog and weight pulling. At some point Alan Scott joined Johnson breeding other bulldogs to Johnson's and forming the Standard American Bulldog.

The American Bulldog/ is popular today as a family pet and companion as well as a working dog.

Description

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.

american bulldog puppy - descriptionThe American Bulldog is a powerful and muscular dog in a sturdy and compact frame. The female is more refined than the heavy boned and stocky male, but both genders are athletic, agile and quick. The have large heads, strong jaws, a muscular neck and with a moderately deep and wide chest.

They have a square head, with muscular cheeks and a clearly defined furrow between his eyes. With broad, square and strong muzzles, they have a reverse scissors, scissors, moderate underbite and an even bite. Ears come in a variety of shapes and sizes and eyes can be any color as well. The nose however should be black and lips black as well. Their legs are strong, heavy boned and straight with well-defined muscles in the hindquarters. Finally ,they have a thick, low set tail that comes to a point at the end.

Characteristics

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.

american bulldog dog - characteristicsThe American Bulldog is characteristically loyal, brave and reliable. It is a friendly, gentle dog that truly loves children. There is not a hostile bone in his body despite his history and reputation for bull baiting. Though he is protective of its family and affectionate with most, he still needs a human companion who is strong willed and a genuine pack leader. Without this he might become aggressive around other dogs and pets. They are immensely self-confident and they do slobber and drool and will become excited and hard to handle without daily exercise of both their body and their minds.

Health Problems

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.

american bulldog puppies - health problemsThough generally healthy, the American Bulldog is prone to a few problems.

Hip Dysplasia

This is a serious issue in many breeds of dogs and is especially prevalent with the American Bull Dog. This may seem ironic in such a short legged dog but it is unfortunately very common. It is a genetic disorder that causes the bones in the joint to separate and causes the dog much pain and lameness.

Skin and Ear Issues

Due to skin folds you need to be care and watch for irritation and infection in the folds. They are also prone to ear infections.

Obesity

The American Bulldog is prone to overeating and all the health issues that presents. With short legs and a genetic predisposition to arthritis and hip dysplasia, obesity is a real health risk for your bulldog.

Caring The Pet

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.

Feeding Puppies

american bulldog dogs - caringThree times a day from 12 weeks to a year for a total of 3 cups per day.

Feeding Adults

After 6 months cut back to one cup twice a day of high quality dry dog food.

Bulldogs will eat anything at anytime and are prone to obesity. Don't overfeed them.

Basic Information

Group:
Terrier dog
Working dog
Origin:
United Kingdom
United States
Height Male:
25 - 33 cm
9 - 13 inches
55 - 70 cm
21 - 28 inches
Height Female:
23 - 33 cm
9 - 13 inches
52 - 65 cm
20 - 26 inches
Weight Male:
5 - 8 kg
11 - 18 pounds
32 - 54 kg
70 - 120 pounds
Weight Female:
5 - 8 kg
11 - 18 pounds
27 - 45 kg
59 - 100 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
14 - 16 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 10
10 - 12
Size:
Small dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Cairn, Toto Dog
shades of brindle including red brindle, varying degrees of white, red, brown, tan, fawn and piebald.
Colors Available:
Black, Brindle, Cream, Wheaten, Red, Grey
Brindle, mostly white, white with brown or red and piebald.
Coat:
Medium length and wiry
Short and smooth
Shedding:
Minimal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Courageous, Friendly, Gentle, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Protective
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. American Bulldog vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  2. American Bulldog vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  3. Border Collie vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  4. Sakhalin Husky vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  5. Alaskan Husky vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  6. Catahoula Leopard vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. German Pinscher vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  8. Portuguese Water Dog vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  9. Puli vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  10. Griffon Bleu de Gascogne vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  11. Borador vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  12. German Spaniel vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  13. Canadian Eskimo Dog vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  14. McNab vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  15. Porcelaine vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  16. Finnish Lapphund vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  17. Berger Blanc Suisse vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  18. Griffon Nivernais vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  19. Hokkaido vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  20. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  21. Pumi vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  22. Griffon Fauve de Bretagne vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  23. Basque Shepherd vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  24. Istrian Sheepdog vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  25. Jamthund vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  26. Jack Russell Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  27. Miniature Schnauzer vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  28. Cairn Terrier vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  29. Cairn Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  30. Cairn Terrier vs Border Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Cairn Terrier vs Australian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  32. Cairn Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  33. Cairn Terrier vs Bull Terrier Miniature - Breed Comparison
  34. Cairn Terrier vs Black and Tan Terrier - Breed Comparison
  35. Cairn Terrier vs Cairland Terrier - Breed Comparison
  36. Rat Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  37. Scottish Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  38. Patterdale Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  39. Norwich Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  40. Norfolk Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  41. English White Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  42. Parson Russell Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  43. Russell Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  44. Feist vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  45. Manchester Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  47. Miniature Fox Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  48. Cesky Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  49. Glen of Imaal Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  50. Schnorkie vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds