Bridget's puppies

Bridget's puppies are growing and doing really well. They're just now walking and sitting up on their own. I caught this shot yesterday and thought it was so cute. I've been busy sanitizing and repainting inside the puppy house. Christmas is just around the corner and the cards aren't out, the decorations aren't completed, and I haven't even started shopping! I'm not a procrastinator, I just can't find the time. We've been passing around some sickness and it's then hard to catch up let alone get ahead. Hope your holiday season is treating you well. We've been lucky to avoid the ice and terrible weather that so many places have now.

The Cairn Terrier Ear

Someone inquired that they had a Cairn Terrier who's ears did not stand up, and wondered if they were supposed to be cropped. I tried responding and my email was rejected, so I decided to post it here. Cairn Terrier's ears are dropped as puppies and they stand up on their own between 5 and ?12wks, depending on the individual. I was once told that they stand upon the molars coming in, but since they can stand on their own as early as 4 1/2-5wks I would say that is innaccurate. Ear sets can vary in size and at Crooked Creek Cairn Terriers, we breed for a small ear set with correct placement on the head. The AKC breed standards says Ears - Small, pointed, well carried erectly, set wide apart on the side of the head. Free from long hairs.

Cairn Terrier ears are never dropped and are never cropped. If someone has a Cairn with drop ears it is either a mix or an extremely poor quality Cairn, as I have never seen a full Cairn with drop ears. As the puppy's ears are starting to stand, they look quite commical with 1 ear up, 1 ear down, and it may change for a few days as they try to stand on their own. Nothing cuter than this awkward ear stage! LOL This is Daisie at 9 weeks, with 1 ear up and 1 ear down.

A Puppy For Christmas

Getting a puppy as a gift for Christmas sounds like such a romantic thought. But the reality is that puppies don't make good Christmas gifts. It's kind of along the same line, that you wouldn't surprise a family member with a baby adoption, just because you thought they would like a baby. It sounds rediculous, I know. But puppies require a similar preparedness and responsible decision because it's a lifetime commitment to that puppy for 10-15 years. Parents may want to give their children a puppy, and as long as they are making the decision in a responsible way, that may work out fine. But I caution against bringing home a puppy during the hectic holidays. The transition home should be a quiet transition, with the puppy coming into a normal family routine. Let's face it, the holidays are usually not quiet or routine! There's often travel, visitors, and a lot of commotion surrounding the holidays. Not to mention that having a lot of visitors coming into the house may risk your puppy's health when they aren't fully vaccinated and protected until 12-15 weeks of age. If your plans for the holidays revolve around a nice quiet period of being home and off of work, then with being prepared and mindful of the puppy's transition, it may work out to adopt a puppy at this time. But just be prepared with a normal schedule and minimal visitors for puppy.