Shairn-Inu

The Cairn Terrier is a small, hardy working dog that presents an active, game, and natural appearance without excessive grooming or stylization. Standing approximately nine to ten inches at the withers for females and about ten inches for males, with weights averaging thirteen pounds for females and fourteen pounds for males, this compact terrier displays ideal proportions for its original purpose of hunting vermin among the rocky cairns of the Scottish Highlands. The body is well-muscled, strong, and active, with deep, well-sprung ribs and strong hindquarters that provide the agility and power needed for scrambling through rocky terrain. The length of body from front of chest to back of hindquarters measures approximately fourteen to fifteen inches. The Cairn Terrier's coat is a critically important characteristic, consisting of a weather-resistant double coat that provides protection from the harsh Scottish climate. The outer coat is profuse, harsh, and somewhat shaggy but not coarse, while the undercoat is short, soft, and close to the skin. This coat requires regular brushing and occasional hand-stripping to maintain proper texture and appearance. The accepted colors include cream, wheaten, red, gray, and nearly black, with brindling acceptable in all colors. Solid black, solid white, and black and tan colorings are not permitted. Dark points on the ears, muzzle, and tail tip are considered typical and desirable. The head is shorter and wider than any other terrier breed and is well-furnished with hair, giving the Cairn its characteristic foxy expression. The skull is broad in proportion to its length with a decided stop and a slight indentation between the eyes. The muzzle is strong and powerful but not overly long or heavy. The eyes are set wide apart, medium-sized, and dark hazel in color, appearing slightly sunken with shaggy eyebrows that contribute to the breed's alert expression. The ears are small, pointed, well-carried, and erect, set wide apart on the side of the head and free from long hair. The tail is in proportion to the head, well-furnished with hair but not feathery, and carried gaily without curling over the back. Cairn Terriers typically enjoy a lifespan of thirteen to sixteen years.

The Shiba Inu is a small to medium-sized Spitz-type breed that presents a compact, well-balanced, and agile appearance reflecting its heritage as a hunting dog in the mountainous regions of Japan. Males typically stand fourteen to sixteen inches at the shoulder and weigh between twenty-three and twenty-seven pounds, while females are slightly smaller at thirteen to fifteen inches and seventeen to twenty-three pounds. The overall impression should be one of balance and proportion, with the male appearing distinctly masculine and the female distinctly feminine. The body is well-muscled and dry, with moderate bone that conveys strength without heaviness. The coat of the Shiba Inu is perhaps its most visually striking feature, consisting of a double coat with a stiff, straight outer coat standing off the body and a soft, thick undercoat that provides excellent insulation. Guard hairs on the body are approximately one and a half to two inches in length, while the fur on the face, ears, and legs is shorter and more even. The tail is set high and carried curled or curved over the back in a characteristic sickle or loose curl. Coat colors include red, sesame (red with black-tipped hairs), black and tan, and cream, though cream is considered a serious fault in show dogs as it obscures the required urajiro markings. Urajiro, meaning underside white in Japanese, is a distinctive pattern of cream to white markings required on all Shiba Inu coat colors. These markings must appear on the sides of the muzzle, cheeks, inside the ears, on the underjaw and throat, inside the legs, on the abdomen, around the vent, and on the ventral side of the tail. The head features a broad forehead with a moderate furrow, a definite stop, and a well-balanced muzzle that tapers slightly toward the nose. The eyes are somewhat triangular and dark brown, set with a slight upward slant at the outer corners that contributes to the breed's alert, fox-like expression. The ears are triangular, firmly pricked, and set well apart, tilting slightly forward. Shiba Inus typically live thirteen to sixteen years.