Cairmal

by Mary Simpson

Published: November 9th, 2017

About Cairmal

Weight

10-13 lb

Height

12-13 inches

Lifespan

12-15 years

Group

Not Applicable

Best Suited For

Families with kids and other pets, those living in apartments, those with time to exercise him regularly

Temperament

intelligent, fun-loving, affectionate, stubborn

Comparable Breeds

Maltese, Cairn Terrier

Cairmal Basics

This lively little dog with the stubborn streak is the Cairmal. He brings together the fun-loving characteristics of the Maltese with the plucky personality of the Cairn Terrier for a wonderful family pet that gets along well with kids and other animals.

This lively little dog brings the fun-loving characteristics of the Maltese together with the plucky personality of the Cairn Terrier.

Origin

Considered a Designer Dog, the Cairmal would have originated 30 to 40 years ago when breeders first began crossing various purebred dogs in order to create smaller, hypo-allergenic or gentler variations of some of the more popular breeds.

Pedigree

The Cairmal is not a purebred dog and therefore doesn’t qualify to be a member of the American Kennel Club (AKC). That said, both parent breeds are members; the Cairn Terrier joined their “terrier” group back in 1913 while the Maltese joined the “toy” group in 1888.

Food / Diet

Your Cairmal is a super playful pup, but this doesn’t always translate into a super active dog. As a result, always provide him with a top quality kibble that is nutrient rich and designed to meet his age, size and level of activity. Because he comes from 2 breeds that experience joint issues later in life, he must not become obese so do not free feed him but provide 2 to 3 meals through the day and avoid foods with fillers that can cause him to overeat to feel full. Because Maltese can also suffer from low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) you should establish a set feeding routine.

The Cairnal is a fun family pet with a patient, playful nature.

Training

The Cairmal is a smart little dog who in spite of his stubborn streak is quick to pick up commands making him great for a first-time dog owner. As with any dog, socialization and obedience taught early are key to bringing out the best in this pooch and ensuring he fits in well with children and other animals. Taking a consistent, rewards-based approach is the best way to encourage this pooch – lots of verbal praise and treats of your choice with get the results you want over time.

Weight

Your Cairmal will weigh between 10 to 15 pounds.

Temperament / Behavior

The Cairnal is a fun family pet with a patient, playful nature that makes him a great fit with kids and other animals. In spite of his stubborn streak, he is a true people pleaser and doesn’t do well when left on his own for long periods of time and destructive behaviors may surface. He is ideal for a family where someone is at home, or he can be provided with plenty of interactive toys to keep him from getting bored and up to mischief.

Common Health Problems

Although Designer dogs can typically sidestep the health issues that can plague their purebred parent breeds, you should always be aware of what your new pup could inherit. With the Cairmal, that would include patellar luxation and joint issues from the Maltese as well as hip dysplasia and cataracts from the Cairn Terrier side.

Life Expectancy

The Cairmal will typically live for between 12 and 15 years.

Exercise Requirements

The Cairmal doesn’t require lengthy walks or extensive exercise and can do quite well in an apartment. He will need short daily walks to keep him physically fit and mentally stimulated with trips to the dog park and indoor interactive play making a great addition to his regimen.

The Cairmal has a patient, playful nature but doesn’t do well when left on his own for too long.

Recognized Clubs

Also known as the Malticairn, the Cairmal is recognized by the the Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA) American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), Designer Breed Registry (DBR), Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC) and the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR).

Coat

In spite of a thick, double-coat, the Cairmal is a low- to minimal-shedding dog and is considered hypoallergenic. His shaggy outer- and downy under-coat will require brushing several times a week to keep it from becoming matted while monthly grooming will keep him looking his best and cleaning around his eyes will help prevent staining. Because small dogs can run into dental issues, daily brushing should be an important part of his maintenance regimen.

Puppies

Cairmal puppies are smart little dogs that should begin their socialization at an early age. A stubborn streak can cause him to be a handful to train as he gets older, but an early start will help make it easier to turn him into an ideal family dog. Because his parent breeds have a tendency toward joint issues, exercise and active play should build gradually so as to not overtax tiny joints and cause problems later in life.

Photo credit: jordanalisa/Shutterstock.com; Gina Callaway/Shutterstock.com; Jarry/Shutterstock.com

Mary Simpson

Sharing space with three seriously judgy Schnoodles and a feline who prefers to be left alone. #LivingMyBestLife

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Injuries can happen when Rover is allowed to lean out and catch a breeze.

What Are Symptoms of Heatstroke in Rabbits?

Pet rabbits can be quite vulnerable to extreme summer temperatures. One particular condition that is most threatening and can be fatal to them is heatstroke. Because of their thick fur and limited ability to sweat, rabbits are susceptible to heatstroke, and you will need to know how to spot the symptoms quickly. Here is all you need to know about heatstroke in rabbits and its dangers.What Causes Heatstroke in Rabbits?Unlike us humans, rabbits rely primarily on their ears to regulate their body temperature. When their body temperature rises to dangerous levels, usually above 104 F (40 degrees Celsius), heatstroke can occur. There are several factors that can contribute to it, and the foremost is high temperature. Exposure to temperatures above 80 F (27 degrees Celsius) can be dangerous to rabbits, especially if they are not accustomed to such conditions. Similarly, high humidity levels can make the effects of heat even worse. This is because they hinder the rabbit’s ability to cool itself through evaporation.Poor ventilation in your home can trap heat and increase the risk of heatstroke. Try improving the airflow in the room and lowering the temperature with a classic stand fan. A lack of shade can have a similar effect, especially if the rabbit is kept outdoors. In such cases, you will have to provide ample shade for your furry friend.

With Just a Sniff, Dogs May be Able to Curtail PTSD Episodes

Halifax's Dalhousie University finds dogs can identify the adrenaline hormone through an individual's breath.

A Cat With a First-Person Camera Shows World Through Feline Eyes

I always say, that if I could live one day as one of my cats, I’d jump at the opportunity – and get some much-deserved beauty sleep. But while we can’t switch places with our pets, thanks to new technologies, we can get a glimpse into their world. With the help of the  Insta360 Go  camera, one innovative cat owner got to see what his four-legged bestie sees – and he’s sharing it with the world on TikTok, where the videos quickly went viral.The little cat cameraman is named Mr. Kitters, and the footage he made was uploaded to the TikTok channel Mr. Kitters the Cat  (@mr.kitters.the.cat). All the videos feature a “cat’s-eye” view of the world explored by little Mr. Kitters. This POV experience will really show you how it is to be a cat and adventure the wide expanse of the yard on a daily.One video, titled “Places to go and people to meet”, garnered more than 110 million views on TikTok, an incredible number in itself! The scenario of this video is pure feline fun: Mr.Kitters explores his environment, meeting critters on the way – including a squirrel, whom he seemingly has a conversation with.  

Volunteers in Flood Ravaged Brazil Town Save Dogs Left Behind

"One Less" rallies those helping to reunite dogs with owners.

Can You Prevent Joint Pain in Dogs?

As dogs near their golden years, different health issues tend to pop up – sometimes completely out of the blue, and sometimes a little less unexpectedly. One of the more common health problems dogs experience as they age that can be predicted fairly easily and as such prevented on time are joint issues. Providing proper support for your dog while they are still young and agile can dramatically improve their quality of life later on, so it pays to start thinking ahead when it comes to joint health, especially if your pet is in a high-risk group for developing this type of problem (large breed dogs, working breeds, highly active dogs, etc). Here’s what you need to know to make sure your pet doesn’t suffer from joint pain in their senior years.5 Crucial Steps to Prevent Joint Pain in DogsWhile some factors contributing to joint pain are beyond our control, there are different proactive steps we can take to support our pet's joint health:#1 Maintain a Healthy WeightJust as in humans, obesity in dogs exacerbates joint strain and can accelerate the onset of joint problems. A balanced diet will go a long way in helping your pet maintain a healthy weight, so strive to ensure they are getting only quality food that is based mostly on protein and doesn’t contain unhealthy fats and too many fillers such as soy or corn.#2 Provide Regular ExerciseModerate, low-impact exercise helps keep joints limber and muscles strong. However, be mindful of your dog's limitations, as pushing them too far can end up being counterproductive. Activities like swimming and walks are excellent choices, just make sure to tailor the pace to your pet’s capabilities.#3 Quality Supplementation Providing a diet rich in essential nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin, supports joint health. However, even when feeding a good quality kibble, it’s not always feasible to rely on your pet’s diet alone to be enough to provide all of these joint-nurturing ingredients in the right ratio. This is where dog joint supplements come in to enrich your pet’s diet with specific nutrients. 

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