Canadian Eskimo Dog vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison

The Canadian Eskimo Dog dates way back to more than 4,000 years ago. This Arctic breed of dog was developed to pull sleds, and wasn’t considered as a pet but as a working dog – an important means to an end – a tool for use.

By the 1960s the dog breed had declined to such an extent that they were removed from UKC and AKC registries. It is believed that the breed would have in all likelihood become extinct if it weren’t for the efforts of Brian Ladoon, William Carpenter and John McGrath who formed the Eskimo Dog Research Foundation in 1972.

After breeding for 30 years, the dog has the biggest genetic stock colony of Canadian Eskimo Dogs and in May 2000, Nunavut, a Canadian territory, adopted the dog as the animal symbol for this region.

The 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.

Looks of the Canadian Eskimo Dog

The Canadian Eskimo Dog is a well-built, medium- to large sized dog looking much like a husky. The male Eskimo dog is somewhat bigger than the female, standing 58 – 70cm at the shoulder and weighing 30 - 40kg.

The male often has some thick fur around the neck, giving him the appearance of looking larger than he actually is. He is slightly larger than the female. Other people say he has a similar appearance to a wolf.

He has a thick double coat which can be white, gray, fawn or even black and white. He has short, erect ears, dark brown eyes and a bushy, feathered tail which curls over the back. Sometimes you find blue eyes with the Canadian Eskimo Dog, and its only when you want to show him, that this isn’t acceptable.

Temperament

The Canadian Eskimo Dog's temperament is hard working, tough, brave, alert and intelligent. When he is trained and socialized, which will be important for this breed, he becomes gentle and loving, forming a strong bond with his owner. He’ll also get along well with children in the home as well as other pets.

Temperament:

The 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.

The Canadian Eskimo Dog is a dog which is responsive to training. With training and socialization, as a highly intelligent, strong-will dog he will need to be supervised by a firm, authoritative figure.

He makes such an awesome pet when properly trained, and if you’re a responsible dog owner who knows how to care for- and exercise your pet appropriately, you’ll be rewarded by having a strong, loving companion at your side.

The 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.

The Canadian Eskimo Dog is a generally healthy breed who has a life expectancy of between 10 and 15 years when he is lovingly cared for and provided with a top quality diet. Ensure that he has a top quality diet with plenty of raw meat geared towards his age and energy levels.

The Canadian Eskimo Dog suffers from common health issues that most dogs are at risk for, and typically this will include hip dysplasia and eye disease. If your dog develops a disease such as hip dysplasia, speak to your vet immediately.

The 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.

Exercise:

The Canadian Eskimo Dog has always been a working dog, used to being driven hard to perform, and to this day he likes to work hard and have his day filled with activities.

His exercise requirements are high and this is one breed that you’re going to have to exercise regularly – long walks, running on a leash as you cycle, ball games, swimming, hiking. It is why the dog is best suited for life in the country as opposed to small properties in the city. If exercise seems like a lot of hard work for you, don’t buy such a breed as it will be cruel and irresponsible to leave him day after day in your back yard. He becomes bored, frustrated, unhappy and destructive.

Grooming:

The dog is an average shedder and his coat is short and dense. There’s not a whole lot of maintenance to worry about with this good-looking dog and he will basically require having a good brush twice a week.

Grooming:

The 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.