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Bushland Terrier Hybrid Description

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Hybrid Description

The Bushland Terrier is not a purebred dog. It is a cross between the Cairn Terrier and the Scottish Terrier. The best way to determine the temperment of a mixed breed is to look up all breeds in the cross. It is possible you can get any combination of any of the characteristics found in either breed. Not all of these designer hybrid dogs being bred are 50% purebred to 50% purebred. It is very common for breeders to breed multi-generational crosses. Please review individual breeds for potential health issues.

Cairn Terrier Breed Description - Cross #1

Although the breed had existed since at least 1500, the name Cairn Terrier was a compromise suggestion after the breed was originally brought to official shows in the United Kingdom in 1909 under the name Short-haired Skye terriers. This name was not acceptable to The Kennel Club due to opposition from Skye Terrier breeders, and the name Cairn Terrier was suggested as an alternative. In Scotland they would search the cairns (man-made pile of stones) for rats and other rodents. Thus if one is kept as a household pet it will do the job of a cat, specifically catching and killing mice and rats.

The Cairn Terrier has a harsh weather-resistant outer coat that can be black, cream, wheaten, red, sandy, gray, or brindled in any of these colors. Pure black, black and tan, and white are not permitted by many kennel clubs. While registration of white Cairns was once permitted, after 1917 the American Kennel Club required them to be registered as West Highland White Terriers. A notable characteristic of Cairns is that brindled Cairns frequently change color throughout their lifetime. It is not uncommon for a brindled Cairn to become progressively more black or silver as it ages. The Cairn is double-coated, with a soft, dense undercoat and a harsh outer coat. A well-groomed Cairn has a rough-and-ready appearance, free of artifice or exaggeration. A trait that isn't in the majority of breeds is their purple tongue. Since not many people know of this trait, a purebred can be confused for a mixed breed. The cairn terrier was registered into the American kennel club in 1903.

Behavior

Cairn Terriers exist happily in an apartment when sufficiently exercised. They are very active indoors and suffice even without a yard. Daily walks help keep Cairn terriers happy and healthy. Fenced-in yards are strongly recommended for safety and well-being as well as being kept on leash when not in the yard.

Cairn Terriers are particularly easily trained; ethical breeders strongly suggest obedience school or some other type of training to direct Cairn Terriers's focus on the owner as the one in command if they are going to be used for hunting. If allowed to take control of the household, behavior problems may develop that only can be resolved by hiring a professional dog trainer. Many breeders only sell puppies to dedicated dog owners who agree to basic obedience school.

Cairns are active dogs, thus need a daily walk. Play takes care of a lot of their exercise needs; however, as with all breeds, play will not fulfill their primal instinct to walk. Dogs which do not get to go on daily walks are more likely to display behavior problems. They also enjoy a good romp in a safe, open area off leash, such as a large, fenced yard.

Health

Cairn Terriers shed very little, but always should be hand-stripped. Using scissors or shears can ruin the dog's rugged outer coat after one grooming. Hand-stripping involves pulling the old dead hair out by the roots. If done incorrectly, this can cause discomfort to the dog, causing it to shy away from future hand-stripping. Removing the dead hair in this manner allows new growth to come in. This new growth helps protect the dog from water and dirt.

Cairn Terrier ancestors are from Scotland, where the wire coat repels water and keeps the dog dry even in rainy or damp climates. Keeping the Cairn Terrier coat in its original state will prevent possible skin irritations. As dead hair is removed by stripping the coat, new growth comes in, and the skin and coat remain healthy. Clipper-cutting a Cairn might destroy the protective wire coat unique to this breed.

It is wise to have a pet examined to rule out heritable skin diseases when a Cairn is obtained from unknown sources (i.e. pet stores, rescues, or puppy mills).

Breeders, owners, and veterinarians have identified several health problems that are significant for Cairns. Some of these diseases are hereditary, and others occur as a result of nonspecific factors (e.g., infections, toxins, injuries, or advanced age).

Currently, the Cairn Terrier Club of America, along with the Institute for Genetic Disease Control in Animals, maintains an open registry for Cairn Terriers in hopes of reducing the occurrence of hereditary diseases within the breed. Breeders voluntarily submit their dogs' test results for research purposes as well as for use by individuals who seek to make sound breeding decisions.

Some of the more common hereditary health problems found in the Cairn are:

  • Bronchoesophageal fistula
  • Cataracts
  • Corneal dystrophy
  • Craniomandibular osteopathy (lion jaw)
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Entropion
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Krabbe disease (globoid cell leukodystrophy)
  • Legg–Calvé–Perthes disease
  • Lens luxation
  • Luxating patella
  • Ocular melanosis
  • Portosystemic shunt
  • Progressive retinal atrophy
  • Soft-tissue sarcoma
  • Von Willebrand disease
  • These dogs are generally healthy and live on average about 12 to 17 years.



    Scottish Terrier Breed Description - Cross #2

    The Scottish Terrier, often called the "Scottie," is a small, compact, short-legged, sturdily-built terrier of good bone and substance. They have a hard, wiry, weather-resistant coat and a thick-set, cobby body which is hung between short, heavy legs. These characteristics, joined with his very special keen, piercing, "varminty" expression, and his erect ears and tail are salient features of the breed. The eyes should be small, bright and piercing, and almond-shaped not round. Their color can range from black, greyish-black, and even white. The ears should be small, prick, set well up on the skull and pointed, but never cut. They should be covered with short velvety hair.

    Height at withers for both genders should be roughly 9.8 in, and the length of back from withers to tail is roughly 11 in. Generally a well-balanced "Scottie" should weigh from 19 to 22 lb and a female from 18 to 21 lb. It is about 10 to 11 inches in height.

    The Scottish Terrier typically has a hard, wiry outer coat with a soft, dense undercoat. The coat should be trimmed and blended into the furnishings to give a distinct Scottish Terrier outline. The longer coat on the beard, legs and lower body may be slightly softer than the body coat but should not be or appear fluffy. This longer coat on the legs is often referred to as the skirt of the Scottie and should be brushed daily to avoid knotted or matted fur.

    Behavior

    Scotties are territorial, alert, quick moving and feisty, perhaps even more so than other terrier breeds. The breed is known to be independent and self-assured, playful, intelligent, and has been nicknamed the 'Diehard' because of its rugged nature and endless determination. The "Diehard" nickname was originally given to it in the 19th century by George, the fourth Earl of Dumbarton. The Earl had a famous pack of Scottish Terriers, so brave that they were named “Diehards”. They were supposed to have inspired the name of his Regiment, The Royal Scots, "Dumbarton’s Diehards".

    Scotties, while being described as very loving, have also been described as stubborn. They are sometimes described as an aloof breed, although it has been noted that they tend to be very loyal to their family and are known to attach themselves to one or two people.

    It has been suggested that the Scottish Terrier can make a good watchdog due to its tendency to bark only when necessary and because it is typically reserved with strangers, although this is not always the case. They have been described as a fearless breed that may be aggressive around other dogs unless introduced at an early age.

    Health

    Two genetic health concerns seen in the breed are von Willebrand disease (vWD) and craniomandibular osteopathy (CMO); Scottie cramp, patellar luxation and cerebellar abiotrophy are also sometimes seen in this breed. Common eye conditions seen in a variety of breeds such as cataracts and glaucoma can appear in Scotties as they age. There are no specific conditions relating the skin that affect the breed, but they can be affected by common dog related conditions such as parasites and mange. Scotties typically live from 11 to 13 years.


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