I'm Daphne N., the breeder behind Caledonia Cairns located in Paris, KY. Our journey with Cairn Terriers began when we moved to Australia and started showing our first Cairn, Klaus. Since then, we've returned to Kentucky, where our kennel has grown and flourished. Today, we’re proud to produce top-winning dogs—not only in the conformation ring, but also in performance sports and as cherished family companions.
Q. & A. with Daphne
Why did you start breeding?
We began breeding Chesapeake Bay Retrievers in the 1990s, focusing on both show and hunting purposes. Living in Colorado at the time, the Chessie was the ideal hunting companion, and I loved showing. After relocating to Kentucky with the Cairns we brought back from Australia, we decided to continue the legacy by breeding these wonderful dogs—preserving the qualities we had come to love and admire.
What makes your program special?
We strive to produce Cairn Terriers that are not only conformationally correct, but also a joy to live with—trainable, good-natured, and adaptable. We believe that Cairns can excel in performance sports, thrive in multi-dog households, and live long, healthy lives. Early socialization and training are the cornerstones of our program.
What are the different breed coat colors in your program?
Our puppies are red. Colors will vary depending on the parent dogs.
Where do your breeding dogs live?
They live in my home.
Getting a puppy from Daphne
Daphne has been certified by Good Dog’s screening team for responsible and trusted breeding practices. When you’re ready to reach out, feel free to ask any questions about the breed, their program, or specific puppies.
Together, you’ll choose the puppy that’s right for you, stay in touch with regular updates, and plan how to bring your new puppy home.
Price
Connect with Daphne to learn more details about pricing.
“Conditionally refundable deposit with contract.”
Contract & health guarantee
Daphne may provide a written contract or
health guarantee when you purchase a puppy. This helps
protect both you and your breeder, ensuring that you
both have a clear understanding of the terms of your
puppy purchase. If Daphne offers a contract
or guarantee, the details will be personalized by them.
If you have any questions or want to know more,
don’t hesitate to reach out to Daphne directly.
Caledonia Cairns meets or exceeds our community standards in these areas:
Responsible breeding practices
Health of breeding dogs and puppies
Puppy environment and enrichment
Buyer education and policies
Parent dogs
Sophia, mom
Cairn Terrier
About Sophia
Sophia is a treasured outcross in our breeding program and an absolute joy to live with. Her dam comes from the well-respected Wolfpit lines, a long-established Maryland kennel known for producing hundreds of champions. Her sire is a top-winning dog from Denmark, bringing a unique and valuable international influence to our lines.
Sophia has proven to be the perfect blend of beauty, temperament, and pedigree. She’s a pleasure to show and an even greater pleasure to have at home. With her cheerful personality and affectionate nature, she greets everyone — whether human or animal — with a happy tail and a warm heart.
Parent health testing
Breeder-Reported Testing
Good level
Caledonia Cairns reports to performing the health tests below on their breeding dogs. Ask your breeder about the tests performed on the parents of your litter. Learn more about health testing for Cairn Terriers.
Eye Examination (rDVM, not registered with OFA)
Eye testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide range of hereditary eye illnesses including retinal dysplasia, lens luxation, and glaucoma, which can cause impared vision or blindness.
Cardiac Evaluation (rDVM, not registered with OFA)
Heart testing reduces the chance of passing down congenital heart disease, which can cause a range of symptoms ranging from trouble exercising to heart failure.
Patellar Luxation
Knee testing reduces the chance of passing down Patellar Luxation, which results in the kneecap becoming displaced or dislocated and can cause mild to severe joint pain.
Renal Ultrasound, Serum Bile Acid Test, Vet Wellness Exam
A breeder may perform additional tests on their dogs that do not fall into these general categories. These tests may be more uncommon or very specific to a particular breed.
DNA Disease Panel, Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy (GCL), Terrier Type
Genetic testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide variety of hereditary diseases of differing prevalence and severity such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (an eye disease) and Von Willebrand's Disease (a blood disease).