Breed: Cairn Terrifer I Size: Small I Average lifespan: 12+ years I Character: Alert, full of energy, and intelligent I Coat: Medium-long-haired I Origin: Great Britain.
The Cairn Terrier is small and kind dog with a lot of energy. They love their owners and it’s important to them to keep their owners happy.
The origins of the Cairn Terrier
A little Scottish dog with a long history
There are mentions that this dog existed from the 12th century. It is believed that they come from a cross between Scandinavian Bassets (like the Swedish Valhund) and Western Highland Terriers. The first representations of the Cairn terrier can be found in illustrations from the 16th century. At the time, Cairn Terriers were used as hunting dogs. They were good at finding animals living in stone mounds (cairns) such as rabbits, badgers or foxes. This is where the breed’s name comes from.
These dogs were very rustic and excellent hunters. They conquered the Scottish lands at the time, but were not very well known outside of these territories. For a long time, the Fédération Cynophile Internationale (International Canine Federation in English) refused to recognize these shaggy little dogs because they were considered mongrels.
Finally recognized and accepted
It wasn’t until 1912 that the Cairn Terrier’s name appeared on the list of Scottish Terriers. This breed became more and more appreciated. Their standards were not recognized until 1987.
Nowadays, along with Westies (West Highland White Terrier), Cairn Terriers are some of the most popular and appreciated Scottish Terriers.
The character of the Cairn Terrier
The Cairn Terrier is a small, alert dog that loves being a part of a family and taking part in activities with them. These dogs are a bit cheeky. They know how to melt people’s hearts.
Small, but with many qualities
The Cairn Terrier is full of energy and loves to move. They love to run around everywhere and play. In fact, they sleep little as they love discovering new things. These are intelligent and cunning dogs. If they can’t do something, they will think of the best way to do so. They never give up!
These dogs have very distinct personalities. They have a real character that will always make you laugh. In addition, they get along with other dogs and they never remember that they are small.
When with your family, you will be surprised when you observe them. These dogs are very affectionate with people that like it and playful with others. Moreover, they are willing to listen when you need it and can make you forget your problems with a simple look. They can also, at times, remind you of a cat because they can have a discreet and detached character.
What are the downsides of having a Cairn Terrier?
Never tired, agile, playful—this dog seems perfect. But be careful, they also have a strong personality and they can be stubborn. If they want to do something, it can be very difficult to talk them out of it.
The Cairn Terrier also likes to discover new territories and can, because of this, flee. They need to walk and run and like to spend long hours outside with their owner. Life in an apartment would not fit this dog’s needs. If you want a Cairn Terrier and you don’t have a backyard, you will need to go outside often and for a long time.
Their hunting origins make them like big spaces. They may be small, but they care very energetic and can get depressed if they are not able to run around for miles.
The physical characteristics of the Cairn Terrier
General
The Cairn Terrier is a small dog with a silly face. These dogs have a stocky silhouette and thick hair that makes them look like small, wild, and cute dogs.
Head
This Terrier has a very distinct and marked stop. Their eyes are medium-sized with eyeballs that are well-separated. They are dark brown. Above their eyes, they have thick eyebrows. Their ears are small, triangular, and straight. Lastly, their muzzle is powerful with a strong jaw. When it comes to their nose, it is always black.
Body
Even though these dogs are small, they have a muscular body with a straight back. Their ribs are well-curved and the loins are strong. The tail is short and thick. When it comes to the shoulders, they are slanted and the back legs are medium length.
Coat, color, and care
Coat
The Cairn Terrier has a double coat. However, the top coat is medium-long, abundant and thick. The undercoat is short and tight, and soft at the touch. Some dogs can have a coat that is slightly wavy.
Colors
Many colors are accepted. For example, Cairn Terriers can be cream, red, gray, an almost black color, or even brindle. The extremities (ears, muzzle) are darker than the rest of the coat.
Grooming and caring for a Cairn Terrier
Cairn Terriers do not need a lot of grooming. Brushing them once every 10 days on average is enough to take good care of their coat. You can use a metal double row comb.
When brushing them, move in the direction of the coat. Cairn Terriers should not be shaved. Otherwise they will lose their qualities and it will no longer protect your dog.
These dogs can also be groomed lightly. Professionals will work mostly around the contours of the eyes. This is enough if your dog is not participating in a beauty contest.
It’s not necessary or useful to give this dog a bath. However, if your Cairn Terrier got really dirty rolling in some mud, they can take a bath.
Did you know?
Have you ever watched The Wizard of Oz? Did you know that the main charater’s dog, Toto, is a Cairn Terrier? The Wizard of Oz film popularized the Cairn Terrier and allowed for this dog breed to get adopted by people all over the world.
The Cairn Terrier at a glance
Size: females can measure around 26 to 30 cm; males can measure around 28 to 31 cm.
Weight: males and females weigh between 6 and 7 kg (≈ 13.2 to 15.4 lb).
Health: This breed is particularly robust. The breed is prone to very little health issues. These dogs are not afraid of the heat, rain, or cold. However, their skin can suffer from seborrheic dermatitis. This will make the coat more greasy and lead to infection-related problems on the epidermis. This requires particular care.
Average lifespan: 12 to 14 years.
Is the Cairn Terrier good with children? Even though the Cairn Terrier is not the perfect dog for children, they will have no issues with them. This dog is never aggressive towards them. If they are bothered them, Cairn Terriers will simply leave. Moreover, these dogs are excellent playmates.
In addition, they can be ideal for children with allergy problems because they have a hypoallergenic coat.
Is the Cairn Terrier easy to train? Because the Cairn Terrier has a rather strong character, they need to be educated very early for good results. They also need to be socialized as soon as possible.
Their training needs to be clear and they need to start right away so they learn the basics of what to respect. This dog likes to play and can trick you. For example, if you are angry they will act sad. That’s why it’s important to stay firm and stand your ground. These little comedians are like children. They need to understand why we ask them to do something and they need to feel loved. They do not accept violence or shouting. Instead, they need a person who is sure of themselves.
However, without training and socialization done from a young age, this dog could become unruly. They can become terribly authoritative and hard to live with.