Egypt4u

Was watching a Show on TV called Dogs 101. It is an hour show that each week features 3 different breeds. Today was the Afghan Hound (which is apparently super sensitive to pain), the Bernese Mountain Dog (which is a real super beautiful dog but BIG) and the Cairn Terrier.

I never knew that Cairn Terriers did not come in white and the white ones are actually West Highland Terriers. It also said that they're personality plus, little bit hard to train but once they get it they get it - but mostly what I never knew - Cairn Terriers are ALL LEFT footed!!

I want to know how one can tell with an animal if it is left or right footed? I never much thought about this but I've never had a thought that a dog could be left or right foot?

@H is little Max a lefty? (I know he isn't a Cairn) but he's as close as one can get and from his antics and snow angels he sure seems to be personality plus but is he a lefty?

Just see what leg the dog kicks a ball with

But seriously, my grandaughter has a cairn cross and we will try to check if she gives any indication of a preferred paw. Her name is Millie and she is an absolutely delightful little dog.

This is her

Nice picture of Millie Grandad, the Cairns are lovely little dogs and make great pets, my mate had one and she would always jump up on my knee, or insist on sitting on my lap in his car. Many times we have been out for a long walk and she got tired, so I would pop her in my rucksack where she stayed quite happily until we arrived back at the car again.

As to the right or left handedness in Westies, well I can only say that I have never really noticed. Little Max is a pedigree ‘West Highland White Terrier’ and they were originally bred to hunt foxes, although he would not even bother chasing a rabbit. They are very laid back with a nice nature and like lots of company, one good thing is they don’t shed their coat as it is very wool like with a courser outer hair.
Mrs H and I have been trying to think whether or not he has a preference using his paws and we don’t think he does. Most dogs tend to use both front paws for most activities although when he does use one paw it tends to be random left or right. He does tend to lift his leg in a right handed way, that is, he lifts his right back leg in preference, but not all the time.

Cute photo of Millie Grandad. She looks a real sweetheart. This is the breed I'm thinking about once Fridays days are over.

As I was watching the show, at the end they give specific points about each of the dogs they review - i.e. exercise needs, grooming needs, whether they're a good family dog or not and both the Highland Westie and Cairns were rated as really good dogs for families, easy keepers, big personalities and DO demand attention. Then the comment about all Cairns are LEFT Pawed.

I've been watching Friday but he seems happy enough to go after things with both feet and doesn't really show a preference. As to the hind leg lift he much more favours the 'right' than the 'left' but he is also an "all four on the ground" kinda dog too.

From what this show said ALL Cairns are Lefties (this was like a big feature of them) which also leads me to wonder if the Westies are likewise lefties. Just an interesting observation as which "hand" a dog is is something I've never heard of before.