Koolie vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

Koolie vs Cairn Terrier - Breed ComparisonKoolie is originated from Australia but Cairn Terrier is originated from United Kingdom. Koolie may grow 27 cm / 11 inches higher than Cairn Terrier. Koolie may weigh 16 kg / 36 pounds more than Cairn Terrier. Koolie may live 3 years more than Cairn Terrier. Koolie may have less litter size than Cairn Terrier. Both Koolie and Cairn Terrier requires Low maintenance.

History

koolie - historyThe Koolie's ancestors were both the smooth coated blue merle Collie as well as the Black and Tan Collie. The dog hails from Australia.

Looking much like the Heeler dog, the Koolie is thought to have got its name from German immigrants to Australia who couldn’t pronounce the name ‘collie’ properly, so the name came out as Koolie. The Koolie of today is a product of a cross between the German Koolie and the Australian Dingo.

The dog has been around for a long time and in 2000, the Koolie Club of Australia was formed. It was in 2004 that the Koolie was recognized by the Australian Sporting Registrar. In May 2006, the Stockdog Committee of the Australian Shepherd Club of America accepted the Koolie as a recognized and accepted herding breed.

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.

Description

koolie puppy - descriptionKnown also as the German Koolie or German Collie, the Koolie is a working- or herding dog standing at between 40 – 60cm in height and weighing up to 24kg.

The Koolie's coat is a merle coat pattern in red or black and possibly with some tan and is mostly short and smooth, though it can be medium length too. Depending on the coat color – red or black – the nose and eyes can be either brown or black, although eye color can also be blue or yellowish.

Temperament:

The Koolie is such a wonderful pet who has some excellent characteristics to his name. He is active, energetic, fun, clever, friendly and playful, but if you have him trained and socialized he becomes even more of a great family pet. He is intelligent too and will require an owner who is steady, firm, fair and consistent. You wouldn't call him an aggressive dog

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

koolie dog - characteristicsMany people today like the idea of a ‘wild’ animal as a pet, and the Koolie, with his Dingo ancestry, can be a challenging dog breed to keep. People eventually blame these animals for having a poor temperament – meantime all they are essentially, are high-energy animals.

If you keep a Koolie, it will be better if you were a firm, kind, patient, consistent dog owner who understands the special needs of these kinds of dogs. They’re an energetic, care-free animals who will do better on a large property or farm as he is lively and will need a good deal of exercise.

He is quite capable of being a splendid pet with training and socialization and will settle down well to family life when he is loved and cared for.

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

koolie puppies - health problemsThe Koolie is a long-lived dog and there are records of it being able to reach 18 years of age. Because they have a diverse gene pool, you won’t find many genetic problems with this dog.

It is always wise when you’re the owner of a dog, to look out for his health and wellbeing -

Vaccination:

This is to prevent your Koolie picking up fatal diseases such as distemper and parvo-virus. Dogs can be vaccinated from 6 weeks of age for protection.

Parasites:

Working dogs like the Koolie are susceptible to parasites such as tapeworm. Worming of your dog can be included in your vet visit. Dogs with worms may show tell-tale signs such as being pot bellied, very pale gums, anemia and a dull, thinned coat.

A look at his droppings may reveal white segments or worms. Fleas are another kind of parasite and they breed quickly in warm months. Mange is a skin disease caused by small parasitic mites which can actually live inside the hair follicles of dogs. Veterinary treatment will be required.

Heat Stroke:

This is when your pet’s temperature rises out of control. Dogs pant to reduce their body temperature so a dog puffing heavily is putting in extra work to reduce his body temperature.

Never leave you pet in a boiling hot car as the body becomes weak and he has difficulty with breathing. Without immediate treatment, the dog will collapse and die.

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

Training:

koolie dogs - caringThe Koolie is an intelligent dog that will benefit from training and socialization to make him obedient and able to cope in diverse situations.

Exercise:

These dogs show an untiring enthusiasm for exercise and work and wherever you live, you will need to ensure that he gets regular exercise.

Diet:

Only the very best - both home-made and commercially manufactured food - will be good enough for this energetic dog. Good quality food ensures health and longevity. Always see that there is a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Relaxing Time:

Make sure that your dog has a warm, dry place to sleep inside and that when outside, he has a cool, sheltered spot from the sun.

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.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Terrier dog
Origin:
Australia
United Kingdom
Height Male:
40 - 60 cm
15 - 24 inches
25 - 33 cm
9 - 13 inches
Height Female:
40 - 60 cm
15 - 24 inches
23 - 33 cm
9 - 13 inches
Weight Male:
15 - 24 kg
33 - 53 pounds
5 - 8 kg
11 - 18 pounds
Weight Female:
15 - 24 kg
33 - 53 pounds
5 - 8 kg
11 - 18 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 18 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
2 - 10
Size:
Medium dog
Small dog
Other Names:
German Koolie
Cairn, Toto Dog
Colors Available:
merle pattern, Red, black
Black, Brindle, Cream, Wheaten, Red, Grey
Coat:
Shortish to medium
Medium length and wiry
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, 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

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Jack Russell Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  2. Miniature Schnauzer vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  3. Cairn Terrier vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  4. Cairn Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  5. Cairn Terrier vs Border Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Cairn Terrier vs Australian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  7. Cairn Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  8. Cairn Terrier vs Bull Terrier Miniature - Breed Comparison
  9. Cairn Terrier vs Black and Tan Terrier - Breed Comparison
  10. Cairn Terrier vs Cairland Terrier - Breed Comparison
  11. Rat Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  12. Scottish Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  13. Patterdale Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  14. Norwich Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  15. Norfolk Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  16. English White Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  17. Parson Russell Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  18. Russell Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  19. Feist vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  20. Manchester Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  22. Miniature Fox Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  23. Cesky Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  24. Glen of Imaal Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  25. Schnorkie vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Sakhalin Husky vs Koolie - Breed Comparison
  27. Portuguese Water Dog vs Koolie - Breed Comparison
  28. Puli vs Koolie - Breed Comparison
  29. McNab vs Koolie - Breed Comparison
  30. Porcelaine vs Koolie - Breed Comparison
  31. Hokkaido vs Koolie - Breed Comparison
  32. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs Koolie - Breed Comparison
  33. Pumi vs Koolie - Breed Comparison
  34. Osterreichischer Kurzhaariger Pinscher vs Koolie - Breed Comparison
  35. Russo-European Laika vs Koolie - Breed Comparison
  36. Ryukyu Inu vs Koolie - Breed Comparison
  37. Seppala Siberian Sleddog vs Koolie - Breed Comparison
  38. Serbian Mountain Hound vs Koolie - Breed Comparison
  39. Shiba Inu vs Koolie - Breed Comparison
  40. Sulimov vs Koolie - Breed Comparison
  41. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Koolie - Breed Comparison
  42. Tahltan Bear Dog vs Koolie - Breed Comparison
  43. Standard Schnauzer vs Koolie - Breed Comparison
  44. Koolie vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  45. Koolie vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  46. Koolie vs Alaskan Husky - Breed Comparison
  47. Koolie vs Catahoula Leopard - Breed Comparison
  48. Koolie vs German Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  49. Koolie vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  50. Koolie vs Griffon Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds