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Our puppy adoption process

How to get your perfect Cairn Terrier from a Northwest Cairn Terrier Breeder?

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Raising Amazing Puppies

Step one could be an entire book by itself! A breeder is evaluating many factors such as behavior, health, coat type, temperament etc. We only breed dogs that we enjoy having in our own homes and that are true to breed standard. We use a comprehensive health testing approach combining both OFA & DNA Testing. Breeding is so much more than "putting two dogs together" we take breeding and raising puppies very seriously and invest countless time and resources to bring you the best quality puppy that we possibly can. When you bring home one of our cairn puppies you are bringing home a piece of our family, legacy, and years of dedication to the breed. 

02

Understand & Support Our Puppy Homes

We love that our puppy homes love the breed as much as we do! We are constantly working to improve our educational materials and resources and share via our social medias, website, and email lists regularly. 

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Whether you are an avid sport dog person, love to show, or enjoy the breed as a pet home it takes all kinds to represent the breed in every aspect that they shine!

 

We work closely with our homes to select the right puppy for them and are here for the life of the dog whether it's a breed specific question, our annual toto walk, or if the dog should ever require a soft landing! We strongly believe part of being a responsible breeder is building a network around you of fellow breed lovers. 

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03

What Does A Puppy Cost?

Our puppies are generally $3,500. We ask for a $1,000 deposit to secure your spot on our waitlist, after you review and sign our contract. We’ll work with you, understanding your needs and then help you select the right puppy. The final payment of $2,500 & WA sales tax is due at puppy pickup. 

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04

How does selection work?

Puppies are chosen in the order waitlist contracts/deposits were received. Puppies begin to show personalities around 4-5 weeks of age, which is when we start selection and sorting. We will give you our temperament analysis in combination with your ideals in a dog. That’ll help us narrow your selection down to the best couple of puppies for you to choose from. 

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The final choice of which puppy you want is yours to make. We will never send you home with a dog you don’t want. If nothing you like is available, you are welcome to wait for a future litter, retaining your position on the waitlist.

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What's Included

When you bring home a puppy from Northwest Cairn Terriers, you’re not just getting a dog — you’re joining our extended Cairn family. Each puppy is raised with care, socialization, and structure to ensure a smooth transition into your home. We go beyond the basics to provide health, temperament, and training foundations that set you and your puppy up for success.

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AKC Registration

AKC registration ensures your puppy’s pedigree and authenticity are officially recorded with the American Kennel Club. It provides access to valuable resources, eligibility for AKC events, and a permanent record of your dog’s lineage. Registration also supports responsible breeding practices and helps preserve breed standards for generations to come.

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Email Puppy Prep Series

We’ve written a series of emails, with links, to help you get started with you puppy, everything from figuring out dog food, where to get it, and what to feed, to deworming, to housetraining, and much more!

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Lifetime Support

You’re never alone on your puppy journey. I’m always here to share resources, offer advice, and welcome our dogs back home if ever needed.

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Please email me for non-urgent matters at info@northwestcairnterriers.com

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Vaccinations & Deworming

All of our puppies are vaccinated and dewormed before coming home. We provide an email in advance with your puppy's vaccination schedule, and a health record at the time you bring them home with what vaccines they received and when. 

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Simple Contract

We use a simple contract. Our goal with our contract is to help you understand what you can expect from us and what we hope you’ll follow through on with your pupppy. When you’re ready to move forward, we’ll ask you to review and sign before placing a deposit.

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Veterinary Exam & Temperament Test

Your puppy has not only been loved by their breeder and family before coming home to you, but will also undergo a temperament test with a knowledgeable person they haven’t met before, as well as a thorough veterinary exam.

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Email Newsletter

Not Ready to join the waitlist but want to stay in touch? Join our Free email newsletter, we send out an email about once per month with what our terrier family is up to recently and what puppies are available or coming soon. 

I'm Ready For A Puppy Now

Check out our available puppies page to see if there are any currently available to reserve cairn terrier puppies. If you are interested in one please fill out an application and we can start the conversation about if they might be the right fit for you!

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More Questions?

Check out our FAQ page for more information about Northwest Cairn Terriers:

We reserve the right to refuse or discontinue doing business at any stage, including after a contract has been signed, if we believe an individual is not a good fit for our program or engages in abusive, disrespectful, or unreasonable behavior. Bringing a puppy into your life is far more than a one-time transaction; it is a long-term commitment. We are intentional about placing our dogs with individuals whose values align with ours and with whom we can communicate respectfully and reasonably throughout the dog’s life.

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Northwest Cairn Terriers

Longview, Washington

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©2018 by Northwest Cairn Terriers. Proudly created with Wix.com

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