Although Cairn Terriers share the same traits as Terriers, such as being brave, strong, stubborn, and alert they are also a rare breed.
Keep a Cairn Terrier Weight Chart with you to ensure your dog is at a healthy weight.
How big is a Cairn Terrier? A Cairn Terrier typically weighs between 13 to 14 pounds and is approximately 9.5 to 10 inches tall.
When they reach around 10-12 months old, they attain their adult weight and height.
Although there are many factors that can influence the weight of this breed, your puppy will be healthy and fit for their age with proper exercise.
Continue reading to find out more about the growth chart for Cairn Terriers, how they grow, what you can expect from them as they grow, and health issues.
What is the Full Growth of a Cairn Terrier?
Great Danes, a larger breed, take two years to attain their adult size. Smaller breeds like the Cairn Terrier can finish growing much faster.
Cairn Terriers usually complete their skeletal growth by the age of 8-12 months. However, the average Cairn Terrier will live to around 10-12 months. When the bones stop growing, they reach their full height and length.
Cairn Terriers keep adding weight and muscle until they reach 18 months.
They reach sexual maturity and are able to reproduce around 8 months old.
Cairn Terrier Weight Chart
There are many factors that can lead to weight loss or gain in your Cairn Terrier. A dog that is overweight can become obese by overfeeding.
However, underfeeding can lead to malnutrition and even emaciation in your dog.
To ensure your dog’s health, make sure you give them high-quality food made by a trusted manufacturer.
A Cairn Terrier should be able to weigh in at 5.5 to 6.66 pounds at 3 months. At 6 months, it should weigh between 8.8 and 11 pounds. At 8 months, it should weigh around 11 to 13.2 lbs.
Cairn Terrier Puppy Weight Chart
AgeWeight (lbs.)Weight (3 Months5.5) – 3kg6 Months8.8- 11.2 lbs4 – 5 kg8 Months11-12.2 lbs5 Months10-13.2 – 15.4lbs6 – 7 kg12 Months14.3-16.5 lbs6.5 – 7.5 kg
Cairn Terrier Growth Chart: What to Expect
Here’s what you can expect from a Cairn Terrier Growth Chart:
Birth – 2 Weeks
This is when the puppy becomes completely dependent on its mother for warmth, grooming, and nutrition.
Because their eyes and eyes don’t develop and are closed, they cannot see or hear. This is why they sleep and eat most of the time.
They get their nutrients from the mother’s milk. If the mother doesn’t produce enough milk, you can give them a formula to ensure they have all the nutrients they need for growth.
3 Weeks – 12 Weeks
The puppy’s ears and eyes open during week three and they begin exploring the environment. They learn to stand up, crawl and wag their tails.
As soon as your dog is able to eat, you can wean them at week 4. To avoid any stomach problems, make sure to add water to your dog’s food.
This is when you start to teach your puppy obedience and socialization skills so they can transition to their new home at 8 weeks.
They will be able to use the skills they have learned at this age. It is important that your puppy gets all of their vaccines during this stage.
4 Months – 9 months
Your Cairn Terrier will now show their dominance and test boundaries.
They will be more determined, territorial, and eager to lead the pack. This is the time to show them that you are the boss through training and socialization.
As they move through the adolescent phase, they will show signs of fear.
Talk to your vet if you don’t intend to breed your Cairn Terrier. This is the best age to spay or neuter them.
They will lose their baby teeth and begin developing their adult teeth.
10 Months -18 Months
Cairn Terriers reach adult weight at 10-12 months of age. They will reach sexual maturity and physical maturity at this age.
This is when you can transition them from puppy food into adult food. To avoid stomach problems, ensure that this is done slowly.
Your puppy will begin to show their character traits like being loyal, brave, and friendly. Therefore, it is important that you continue training and socializing your puppy so that they can become a happy adult dog.
dult
Cairn Terriers are now adults and have developed mentally, sexually and physically. All they require is your attention, love and care.
To prevent them becoming overweight or underweight, it is important to keep an eye on their weight.
To ensure your dog’s health, provide a balanced diet that includes all nutrients. Reduce their portions to keep them full.
They will stay active and healthy by getting enough exercise, such as walking or playing.
How big are Cairn Terriers?
There are many ways to predict the size of your Cairn Terrier’s adult body. These include looking at the parents and DNA testing.
You can gauge how big your puppy will grow by looking at the parents.
Ask the breeder to provide information about the parents of the Cairn Terrier and previous litters, so you can get an idea of the puppy’s potential size as an adult.
You can do a DNA test to determine the parents’ size.
You can also check their paw size. If they appear larger than their legs or bodies, they are still growing. However, if their paws look equal to their legs and bodies, they are now considered to be adult sizes.
A Cairn Terrier is usually between 13-14 pounds and about 9.5-10 inches tall as an adult.
Is my Cairn Terrier’s growth affected by neutering or spaying him?
Owners are advised to spay or neuter their Cairn Terrier. A male Cairn Terrier can be neutered by removing his testicles, while a female Cairn Terrier can be spayed by removing her ovaries and uterus.
If done correctly, it is unlikely that spaying/neutering will affect physical growth. It can affect bone and muscle growth if it is done too soon.
While every vet will be different, a Cairn Terrier should be neutered or spayed between four and nine month.
It’s best for males to do this after puberty. For females, it should occur after their first heat.
Cairn Terriers’ health and behavior can be improved by neutering or spaying.
The testosterone levels in males are reduced by neutering them. This reduces aggressive and territorial behavior. Spaying also reduces the risk of uterine or breast infections in females.
Cairn Terrier Size Chart
It is important to keep track of your Cairn Terrier’s height at home. This allows you to buy the right equipment, such as a harness, kennel, or clothing.
Cairn Terrier owners who present their dogs at shows will be more vigilant to the Cairn Terrier Heights Chart. However, this practice should be followed by all owners.
Simply place your Cairn Terrier on a flat surface to measure their height. To get the height you need, measure the distance from the ground to your withers using a tape.
Cairn Terriers average a height between 9.5 and 10 inches. Cairn Terriers should reach their maximum height around 10-12 months of age.
Westie vs. Cairn Terrier Size
One of the Terriers with short legs is the West Highland White Terrier, or “Westie”. Males are 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulders, and weigh between 15 and 22 pounds. Females are 10 to 11 inches tall, and weigh between 13 and 16 pounds.
Cairn Terrier males are 10 inches tall and 14 pounds. Females, on the other hand, stand at 9.5 inches high and 13 pounds.
Cairn Terrier Factors
Gender and Genetics
Cairn Terriers females grow smaller than their male counterparts. Cairn Terriers’ growth and development is affected by their genetics. They are influenced by their parents through their genetic traits.
Before you adopt a dog, make sure to find out about their parents and get health clearance certificates. You should get all information from the breeder about the parents.
Nutrition
Cairn Terriers need high-quality dog food. Make sure that your dog is getting the right diet for his age.
Give your dog high-quality protein that is rich in fiber and healthy oils. Reduce the amount of treats you give your dog. Talk to your vet immediately if you have concerns about your dog’s weight or diet. Make sure your dog has access to clean, fresh water at all times.
Physical Activity and Health
Cairn Terriers can get moderate exercise and adapt well to different living situations when they go on outings every day.
They can adapt to different environments, from urban high-rises to highland farms.
Cairn Terriers are generally healthy dogs. Responsible breeders will always test their dogs for health problems and communicate with other breeders.
You can train them by tracking, herding, or participating in dog events. While exercise will improve their physical fitness, it is important to not over-exercise.
What if my Cairn Terrier is not the right weight?
If your dog is overweight or obese, they will not be healthy. A Cairn Terrier’s healthy weight should be between 13-14 lbs. There are many reasons why your dog might be heavier or lighter than the norm.
Overfeeding – Owners with good intentions may feed their dogs too much and not exercise their dogs. Dogs can become obese quickly if they are given too many calories.
Underfeeding – Emaciation and malnourishment can occur in dogs when the dog is underfed. You should give your dog a small amount of high-quality food. Follow the veterinarian’s instructions.
Bad food choices- The nutritional needs of dogs change at different times in their lives. An old dog will eat a different food than a puppy.
Hyperactivity, illness, and lack of exercise are all reasons why weight can be higher or lower than normal.
Your vet can help you determine if your puppy isn’t the right weight.
Cairn Terrier Genetics and Common Health Problems
Although Cairn Terriers can be healthy, they are susceptible to other diseases. These diseases may not affect all Cairn Terriers, but it is important to know about them.
Cryptorchidism is a condition that causes either one or both of the testicles not to descend to their scrotum. Two months should be sufficient for the testicles to fully descend.
It is considered non-functional and potentially dangerous if the testicles don’t descend. It is therefore treated surgically by neutering.
Craniomandibular Osteopathy: This condition affects the skull bones and causes them to enlarge in an irregular way.
The symptoms usually appear between four and eight months of age. This is a genetic condition that causes swelling of the glands and jaws in the puppy, making it difficult for him to open his mouth.
Globoid cell Leukodystrophy is also known by Krabbe’s Disease. It is a degenerative disease that affects the white matter in the brain and spinal cord.
The affected puppies either die young or are euthanized. To identify the carrier of the dog, testing is performed.
Hypothyroidism and Legg-Calve–Perthes disease are other health issues.
Find a good breeder when buying a puppy. Also, make sure you get all clearances for the parents and puppy.
You can prove your puppy’s health by obtaining a health clearance.
Last words
This article should provide you with all the information you need about the Cairn Terrier’s weight chart.
It is important to know the recommended growth and weight trajectories for your Cairn Terrier in order to ensure a healthy and happy life.
Cairn Terriers are wonderful characters that will bring you joy and amusement.
You should contact a veterinarian immediately if you notice any health problems or concerns about their growth.
Cairn Terrier Size Chart – Growth Chart Dog Food Smart
