Are they good with children?
Generally yes. But please always have an adult present when small children are near. Cairns can snap if provoked!

Are they good with other animals?
Yes and No. Our puppies are raised with Irish Wolfhounds, cats, chickens and ducks. Generally they are well behaved but occasionally they will chase a chicken or two. This is not malicious as they only want to play but the chickens tend to feel threatened by them:)

When will my puppies ears stand up?
Most puppies ears will be up between two and three months of age. If they are not erect by four months speak to your vet and see what advice they give.

Are Cairns easy to housetrain?
Yes, with a little patience. Cairn puppies are easily excitable and side-tracked. They will show signs of wanting to go outside and then, when they get out, spend twenty minutes playing with a leaf (or other object), you then take them back in the house and they remember, and have an accident. If you purchase a puppy from us he or she will be 80% housetrained and we will give you details on the best way to continue to success.

Do Cairns wander if not leashed?
We have not had a problem with our puppies or dogs wandering. They will run and chase things that interest them but will always come back. Make sure you train your Cairn to come when you call him and you shouldn't have a problem.

How big will my fully grown Cairn be?
The ideal size and weight for Cairns is 13" - 14" to the shoulder and 13 lbs to 14 lbs in weight. Please click here for a full description of the AKC breed standard.

How soon can he come home with me?
If you are collecting your puppy he or she may leave home at six weeks of age as long as they are fully weaned. If the pup is flying he or she must be at least eight weeks of age to travel.

Are they good guard dogs?
More of a watch dog than a guard dog. They will bark when people come near, or on, your property and will attempt to chase people away by running towards them barking furiously. However, once they reach the person they generally roll over on to their backs for a tummy rub!

Do they bark a lot?
Yes - they are not yappy like some other small breeds, but will bark at passersby, other wild animals (not those that live with you), and at strange noises. As a puppy it is a good idea to train them to stop when you ask so that this does not become a problem if you have neighbors.

What should I feed my puppy?
A good quality small breed puppy food. They need this special diet for a MINIMUM of six months - preferably till they are one year of age.

How much room do they need for exercise?
Cairns like to run around and are very active dogs. Bearing in mind their small size what might seem like a short walk to you is much longer for their little legs. as a puppy they will have bursts of energy and lots of sleep, as they mature they will have more ctive periods during the day. You will get to know your Cairn and will learn when he or she is ready to play.

What shots will my puppy have / need?
We give all of our puppies their first set of shots. You will need to make an appointment with your vet to adinister the second shots - due at nine weeks of age. For more information on vaccinations please click here.

How do I pay for my puppy?
When you have chosen your puppy we ask for a 50% non-refundable deposit which can be paid by personal check, USPS money order or by using a credit card through PayPal. If your puppy is being shipped we ask for the balance 10 days prior to the flight. If you are collecting your puppy the balance can be paid 10 days in advance of collection by personal check, USPS money order, PayPal or by cash on the day of collection.

Do you ship?
Yes. We generally use Delta or Northwest and ship from Nashville, TN (BNA). We will work with you to find the best day and time. We cannot ship puppies if the temperature is below twenty degrees or above eighty-five degrees.

Is shipping included?
No. If you would like your puppy shipped please let us know which is your prefered airport - city, state and airport code please. We will find the most economical crate on your behalf unless you wish to purchase and mail to us in advance.

How much will shipping cost?
This varies but as of 2005 it is usually $150 to $200.

What should I name my puppy?
We leave the naming of your puppy entirely up to you. We do, however, recommend a two syllable name (i.e. Bobby instead of Bob). The reason for this is that most commands used for dogs are single syllable words e.g. "sit", 'stay", "leave", etc., and it is easier for your dog to recognize a two syllable name as belonging to him or her.

Will my puppy be microchipped?
If you would like your puppy microchipped please let us know when you pay your deposit. We micropchip puppies at the same time as their first set of shots - six weeks of age. We use the AVID microchip system and you will receive all the paperwork to register your puppy. Registration is a one time $15 fee (as of 2005) per puppy.

Do I have to register my puppy with AVID?
No, but we recommend that you do. If your puppy wanders off or is stolen he or she can be identified and returned to you. Animal pounds, rescue centers, police and vets all carry scanners to identify lost animals.

Will my puppy have AKC paperwork?
Yes. All of our puppies are registered at birth and will have their transfer papers before they leave us.

Do I have to register my puppy with AKC?
No, but we would recommend it. You have up to one year to register your puppy before a penalty is charged. The longer you leave it the more you will pay.

What happens if my puppy "doesn't work out"?
We will always take back a puppy or help you to find a new home for him or her. If you have any problems whatsoever, please contact us immediately.