Cairn Terrier: temperament, size, care and health

About the Cairn Terrier

The Cairn Terrier is a small, rough-coated working terrier standing about 9.5 to 10 inches tall. The head is fox-like with a foreshortened muzzle, the ears are small and pricked, and the shaggy coat can be cream, red, gray, wheaten, or brindle, often with darker points on the ears and face. Its appearance is natural and unfussy.

Cairns were bred to hunt vermin among the stone piles of the Scottish Highlands, and they remain busy, curious, and tough. Most people know the breed from the film dog Toto, though the breed's appeal does not depend on a famous face. Owners tend to value the cheerful nature and the sturdy build.

Temperament and family life

Cairns generally have an outgoing, upbeat disposition and attach to family members with enthusiasm. They are usually good with children who treat them gently and are hardy enough to play energetically. They are not clingy lap dogs, however, and they prefer an interesting activity over being held.

Visitors are welcomed after a round of barking. The prey drive is strong, and small animals in the yard may be dug after or chased. With other dogs most Cairns are fine, though the occasional dog is bossy. A secure fence helps, because a Cairn that picks up a scent can disappear quickly.

Exercise and training

Daily walks and a few play sessions in a fenced area satisfy most Cairns. They enjoy games that let them dig, so a sandbox or a patch of garden set aside for the purpose may save the flower beds. Earthdog trials suit them well.

Training works best when it is short, positive, and varied. The breed is smart but not dedicated to repetition, and it can be stubborn when it sees no reason to cooperate. Puppy classes and early socialization help. Barking should be shaped from the start, since a Cairn left alone and bored can become noisy.

Grooming and shedding

The harsh coat sheds only a little, but it should be brushed or combed once or twice a week to remove dead hair and prevent tangles. Ideally the coat is hand-stripped a few times a year to maintain its texture and color; a clipped coat becomes softer and more cottony.

Cairns do not need frequent baths, and heavy washing can soften the coat. Keep the nails trimmed, check the ears and the hair around the eyes, and brush teeth to reduce dental disease.

Health

Cairns are generally robust. Conditions that appear in the breed include craniomandibular osteopathy, which causes jaw swelling in young dogs, and portosystemic shunt, a liver blood-flow abnormality. Globoid cell leukodystrophy is a fatal inherited neurological disease for which a DNA test exists, and breeders can test for it. Patellar luxation and allergic skin disease are other concerns. Obesity worsens many joint problems.

Treat this as general information and take questions about a specific Cairn Terrier to a veterinarian.

History

Cairns are generally traced to the Scottish Highlands and the Isle of Skye, where the dogs were used to flush foxes and other vermin from piles of rocks called cairns. Short-legged terriers from the region were once grouped under the label Skye Terrier. Breeders in the early twentieth century separated the types, and the Cairn name was adopted. The breed was among the early terrier breeds in the AKC stud book.

Is the Cairn Terrier right for you?

A Cairn suits families or individuals who want a small dog that is playful, hardy, and not overly delicate. It adapts to apartments if exercised, and its easy temperament makes it more forgiving than most terriers. It is less suitable for people who cannot tolerate digging, barking, or a small animal-chasing instinct.

The West Highland White Terrier shares much of its character with a white coat, and the Border Terrier is slightly longer in the leg. The Australian Terrier has a similar size and temperament with a silkier look.