Appearance of the Doxie Cairn
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The Doxie Cairn is a hybrid dog and will have the physical characteristics of both parents. It will be a small, muscular dog, weighing between 7 and 14.5 kilos. The Doxie Cairn can have a dappled coat and can be black, chocolate, beige, cream or red. Its coat can be stiff or smooth. Although small, they can have a strong jaw with large teeth. Their feet may be large, with thick pads and strong nails. They may have floppy ears or erect ears. The Doxie Cairn will be larger than the Cairn Terrier and taller than a Dachshund. His eyes and nose will be dark in color. His facial expression is alert. |
Temperament of the Doxie Cairn
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The Doxie Cairn's temperament will be a fun combination of Dachshund and Cairn Terrier parents. The Dachshund is generally described as bold, playful and fearless. They are devoted, protective and loyal. An excellent watchdog, the Dachshund needs early socialization with other dogs and strangers. Without proper socialization, the breed can be wary of strangers and unfamiliar dogs. Dachshunds can be stubborn and strong-willed. They don't like to be left alone and can suffer from separation anxiety. Separation anxiety can cause behavioral problems such as digging and chewing. The Cairn Terrier is a lively, confident and energetic dog that is friendly and likes to play fetch. Intelligent and very easy to train, the Cairn Terrier may be small, but he's sturdy and fearless. They will not back down from a larger dog. They have a prey instinct and can run after small animals, including the neighbor's cat. Because they are high-energy dogs, they can easily become bored, so it's important to provide them with interactive toys and daily play. The Cairn Terrier can also suffer from separation anxiety and is known to be a bit of a barker. Your Doxie Cairn will be confident, courageous and strong-willed. Early socialization and obedience training are essential. He probably won't like to be left for any length of time, and will be happiest in a home where there are often people around. Patience and consistent training are necessary for the Doxie Cairn. |
Needs and activities of the Doxie Cairn
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Your Doxie Cairn will be a moderate-to-high-energy dog. He will enjoy long walks and interactive play. Your Doxie Cairn will enjoy visiting a dog park to work on his people skills, and will be happy to satisfy his exploratory instincts in a fenced-in yard. He should not be walked off-leash, as he may be tempted to chase anything that moves quickly in his path. Nor should he be left unattended in a yard, as he will find or create an escape route fairly quickly. Ideally, a house in an urban or rural area is the preferred choice, but he may well be housed in an apartment if his exercise needs are met. Bear in mind, however, that this hybrid can develop a barking habit that may disturb nearby neighbors. |
Maintenance of the Doxie Cairn
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The Doxie Cairn should be brushed once a week to remove dead and loose hairs. Annual bristle stripping may be necessary. They only need to be bathed every three to four months, using a dog shampoo. Human shampoo can dry out a dog's skin and even provoke a reaction, as the strength is often more concentrated. Teeth should be brushed weekly to prevent tartar build-up and gum disease. Dog toothpaste is available in different flavors (chicken, beef and liver), making brushing teeth a pleasant experience. If your Doxie Cairn has long ears, don't forget to check them periodically to make sure they're clean and dry. Twice-monthly nail checks and trimming are also an important part of your dog's care. |