Cairn Terrier Canaan Dog Mix

The Cairn Terrier Canaan Dog Mix, is a mixed breed dog resulting from breeding the Cairn Terrier and the Canaan Dog. Both of these dogs can be friendly but personalities differ, so you never know. The Cairn Terrier is known for being hardy, intelligent, and fearless. All dogs need proper socialization and that will be a big factor in how they interact with others. What does this mixed breed look and act like? Is it more like the Cairn Terrier or the Canaan Dog? Those are the questions we will try and answer below. Continue reading below to see pictures, videos, and learn more about the beautiful Cairn Terrier Canaan Dog Mix.

While we really recommend that you acquire all animals through a rescue, we understand that some people might go through a breeder to get their Cairn Terrier Canaan Dog Mix puppy. That is, if they have any Cairn Terrier Canaan Dog Mix puppies for sale.

If you are interested in helping animal rescues raise money, please play our quiz. Each correct answer donates to help feed shelter animals.

Cairn Terrier Canaan Dog Mix History

All hybrid or designer dogs are tough to get a good read on as there isn’t much history to them. Breeding specific dogs like this has become common in the last twenty years or so even though I am sure that this mixed breed found it’s share of dogs to the shelter due to accidental breeding. We will take a closer look at the history of both parent breeds below. If you are looking at breeders for new, designer dogs please beware of Puppy Mills. These are places that mass produce puppies, specifically for profit and don’t care at all about the dogs. If you have a few minutes, please sign our petition to stop puppy mills.

Cairn Terrier History

Bounding out of the highlands comes the Cairn Terrier, a descendent one of Scotland’s oldest known line of working terriers dating to the 1600s. He was originally bred to rid the land of vermin, mostly rodents but also larger prey such as otters and foxes. Three present-day Scottish terriers — the Scottish, the West Highland White, and the Cairn — all were descended from an established breed called the Scotch Terrier, which in 1873 became two distinct terrier breeds, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Skye Terriers. These terriers came from the same stock in the Scottish highlands but ultimately developed as two different breeds. Later, the Scottish, West Highland White, and Cairn terriers all descended from the same stock and originally were differentiated only by color.

Fun fact: Most Cairn terriers are left-pawed. Research has shown that this trait correlates to a strong sense of smell — a major advantage in locating prey. The dog we now know as the Cairn Terrier was originally called a Short-haired Skye Terrier when entered into The Kennel Club competition in the U.K. in 1909. Breeders of standard Skye Terriers objected, and the name Cairn Terrier, alluding to the stone piles along the moors where the dog chases his prey, was accepted as a compromise.

The Cairn Terrier gained AKC recognition in 1913, although at this time many breeders in both the U.S. and U.K. were crossing Cairn Terriers with West Highland White Terriers. In 1917, the AKC barred any Cairn of mixed heritage as demonstrated by a white coat. The British standard followed in 1923, when it was rewritten to prohibit all-white dogs.

Fun fact: A Cairn Terrier portrayed Dorothy’s “little dog,” Toto, in the classic film The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Canaan Dog History

The Canaan Dog was recognized as purebred by the AKC in 1997, and she holds the title of National Dog of Israel. She originated in the Middle East and has lived there for many thousands of years. During Biblical times, she served as a herder and guard dog for nomadic peoples. Although purebred, the Canaan Dog also belongs to a canine subset called Pariah Dogs. More than just a stray, a pariah dog is genetically unique. They are free-ranging and sometimes feral dogs that exist by following human encampments, usually in developing countries, and living on anything left behind.

For some years, experts have sought to capture, recognize, register and breed these beautiful outsiders, before interbreeding with purebred and other mixed-breed dogs causes their extinction.

Fun fact: Archaeologists in Israel unearthed some 700 specimens of a dog very likely to be the Canaan of today. They speculate that the dogs were held sacred by their people.

Fast-forward to the early 1930s, in what was then Palestine. A Jewish defense organization, the Haganah, approached canine authority Dr. Rudolphina Menzel with a request to develop a dog that could both guard settlements and serve in battle. Dr. Menzel immediately thought of the strong, intelligent ferals she had seen across the desert, and she began to gather up both adults and puppies and introduce them to a more domestic existence. She knew that because these dogs had survived as ferals, they would be smart, strong, fast, and supremely intelligent.
Dr. Menzel was right. The Canaan Dog proved not only highly intelligent but also easy to train. In addition to serving the military and acting as guard dogs, Canaan dogs became herders, messengers, and service dogs for the Red Cross. During World War II, the dogs were used as mine detectors, outperforming the traditional methods used to locate and neutralize mines.

Dr. Menzel established a kennel where she collected and trained about 400 Canaan Dogs, then selectively bred them. The lines she established are examples of the Canaan Dog of today.
Later in her life, while working with the Institute for Orientation and Mobility of the Blind in the Middle East, Dr. Menzel again called on her Canaan Dogs to serve as guides for blind children. In addition, Canaan Dogs assisted as police dogs and in search-and-rescue operations. Dr. Menzel’s successors continue to search the desert for examples of the ancient dog that can contribute to the gene pool.

The Canaan Dog was recognized by the Palestine Kennel Club in the 1940s; by the Israel Kennel Club in 1953; by the Kennel Club of London in 1971; and by the American Kennel Club in 1997.

Cairn Terrier Canaan Dog Mix Size and Weight

Cairn Terrier
Height: 9 - 10 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 13 - 14 lb.
Lifespan: 12 - 15 years

Canaan Dog
Height: 19 - 24 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 35 - 55 lb.
Lifespan: 12 - 15 years

Cairn Terrier Canaan Dog Mix Personality

The Cairn Terrier and the Canaan Dog are both loyal and affectionate. They are also very charming, so watch out! This dog will require a good training regimen as they can get excited. They are very loyal to their family. One of the best things you can do for any breed is to socialize it as much as possible. Please use positive reinforcement, it goes a long way! She should be rather affectionate and love being with you, she can also be stubborn so keep that in mind.

Cairn Terrier Canaan Dog Mix Health

All dogs have the potential to develop genetic health problems as all breeds are susceptible to some things more than others. However, the one positive thing about getting a puppy is that you can avoid this as much as possible. A breeder should absolutely offer a health guarantee on puppies. If they won’t do this, then look no more and don’t consider that breeder at all. A reputable breeder will be honest and open about health problems in the breed and the incidence with which they occur. We obviously recommend that you look for a reputable animal rescue in your area to find your new mixed breed. Health clearances prove that a dog has been tested for and cleared of a particular condition.

The Cairn Terrier mixed with the Canaan Dog might be prone to cataracts, corneal dystrophy, diabetes, among others.

Note that these are just common problems in both breeds.

Cairn Terrier Canaan Dog Mix Care

What are the grooming requirements?

Even if you know the breed, sometimes it is hard to tell if it will be a heavy shedder or a light shedder. Either way, Get ready to invest in a good vacuum if you want to keep your floors clean! Give them baths as needed, but not so much that you dry out their skin.

What are the exercise requirements?

Plan on taking them for extremely long walks and hikes to keep their energy level down. This mix will more than likely have a high energy level. This exercise will keep them from being destructive. A tired dog is a good dog. A tired dog is a good dog though. Never tie your dog up outside - that is inhumane and not fair to him.

What are the training requirements?

This is an intelligent dog that will be a little bit challenging to train. They are going to want to take the alpha position and need someone with a firm, strong, hand that can let them know their place. The best thing you can do is break the sessions into shorter daily sessions to keep their attention span higher. It might have a prey drive and be disposed to running for and chasing small prey, but if handled properly this can be managed. All dogs respond best to positive reinforcement. So make sure to praise her when she does well. She is an intelligent dog who loves to please, and loves a physical challenge. The more exercise she gets the easier she will be to train. Proper socialization is imperative to all dogs and puppies. Make sure to take her to the park and doggy day care to get her around as many people and dogs as possible.

Cairn Terrier Canaan Dog Mix Feeding

"A lot of times diet is done on a per-dog basis. Each one is unique and has different dietary requirements. Most dogs in the U.S. are overweight. A mix like this one that is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia should really be on fish oil and glucosamine and chondroitin supplements as soon as possible. A good diet to look into is Raw Food Diet. A raw food diet will be especially good for the Wolf background.

Overfeeding any dog is not a good idea as that can really exacerbate health problems such as elbow and hip dysplasia.

I good diet to look into is Raw Food Diet. A raw food diet will be especially good for the Wolf background."

Cairn Terrier Links

Links to other breeds you might be interested in