Niki Higgins | Nicairn Cairn Terriers

Interview with Niki Higgins, Breeder of Nicairn Cairn Terriers

1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself. Where do you live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder? What is your kennel name?
2. In your opinion, is your breed in good condition overall? Any trends that warrant concern?
3. As a Preservation Breeder, can you share your thoughts on the sport today? How’s the judging these days? What do you think about the number of shows?
4. What does “Montgomery” represent to you as a Preservation Breeder? As an Exhibitor?
5. In your opinion, is social media good for the sport? Is it harmful?
6. What are the biggest challenges facing the dog show community as a whole today and how can these be addressed?
7. What are some of the positive changes you’ve seen in the sport over the past decade?

Niki Higgins

1. My name is Niki (Nicola) Higgins, and I live in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I have had Cairn Terriers for 24 years and have been breeding for just over 10 years. My kennel name is Nicairn for Niki’s Cairns. Right now, homebred littermates are both in the Top 5 Breed and All-Breed Cairn Terriers. “Saffy,” MBISS GCHG Nicairn Saffron Hjo Got The Spirit, is No. 1 Cairn Terrier All-Systems, professionally handled by Luiz Abreu, and “Aegon,” RBIS BISS MBISOH MRBISOH GCHG Nicarin Aegon Hjo Got The Spirit, is No. 4 Cairn Breed, No. 5 Cairn All-Breed, No. 1 NOHS All-Breed Terrier, No. 4 NOHS All-Breed, and No. 1 NOHS Cairn Terrier, handled by me. I’m very proud of my dogs’ accomplishments!

2. Generally, I think the breed is doing well because many breeders, including me, have bred to the European dogs, which has diversified our lines and, as a result, our Cairns are now healthier than in the past, structurally sounder, and move with more reach and drive. The European dogs are a little larger than ours, and so the overall effect has been that our dogs too have become a little larger than back in 1938 when our Breed Standard was written. Some breeders are upset about this, but I celebrate the better health, structure, and movement of my dogs and will breed to a smaller dog if I think my line is getting too big. The main thing not to lose sight of is that our Cairns must be able to do their job and be strong and sound enough to work all day in the Scottish hills and go-to-ground if necessary. If I see a Cairn that is not moderate and balanced, that would not be possible.

3. The sport in the Southeast US for Cairn Terriers is very diminished. Many breeders have either passed away or are not breeding anymore, which is a shame. As a result, Cairns are a low entry breed. The judging is going through a big transition, as many of the Terrier Greats of the past have either retired or passed away. Sadly, we just lost another Terrier Great, Jim Reynolds. Many of the newer terrier judges do not understand the Cairn Terrier and how significant the Cairn is in terrier history. The Cairn is one of the oldest working terriers and one of the founding breeds of the Terrier Group.

It was the terrier of choice for farmers in the 1820s, as the Cairn could defend the farm of vermin—rats, mice, fox, and even badger! The Cairn is good with children and was small enough to sleep in the house as a family pet. As a parent club approved mentor for the Cairn Terrier Club of America, I see most AKC approved judges as having been well trained; however, there is a trend that judges approved for NOHS are in need of much deeper knowledge in order to judge not only my breed, the Cairn, but the entire Terrier Group. I am passionate about the Cairn Terrier, and I welcome the opportunity to mentor anyone who is interested in my breed.

4. Great question! I love Montgomery and it is a fixture on my calendar every year. It gives the terrier community a once-a-year opportunity to get together, “Talk Terrier,” and see probably the largest entry of each single breed exhibit of any show. It is the highlight of terrier exhibition and display of breeding stock in the world. It is not to be missed! I want everybody to see my dogs and I want to see the other breeders’ dogs; it gives everyone a chance to evaluate the breed and where we are as breeders. We typically have 80-plus Cairns every year at Montgomery, which is usually our National Specialty. For prospective and approved judges, it’s a way for them to set their eye to the highest quality in our breed, enabling them to understand what the Cairn Terrier should ideally look and act like.

5. I like social media because it enables me to see Cairns around the world in pretty much real time! It can be harmful if people start to criticize a dog or each other, but that’s life these days with everything!

6. I think all breeders have to more proactively promote purebred dogs and educate the general public about the benefits of buying from a Preservation Breeder.

7. I think, generally speaking, the sport is more welcoming to newcomers than when I first started showing.