The words Dog Breed Info with the letter D inside of a black paw print

The Purebred Cairn Terrier

Information and Pictures

A shaggy little tan dog standing outside and looking to the left with a person behind her

Anabelle the Cairn Terrier at 11 years old

Other Names
  • Cairn
Pronunciation

kurn ter-ee-erSpeaker

Description

The Cairn Terrier is a hardy little terrier with a fox-like expression. The head is broad in proportion to the length. The strong muzzle is of medium length with a defined stop. The teeth meet in a scissors or level bite. The nose is black. The deep, wide-set eyes are hazel in color with shaggy eyebrows and topknot. The erect ears are small and set wide apart, covered in short hairs. The tail is in proportion to the head with short hairs. The shaggy, double, weather-resistant coat has a harsh outer coat with a soft undercoat. The coat comes in any color except for white, including red, brindle, blackish, sand and various shades of gray, often with dark ears, muzzle and tail tip. The final coat color of a Cairn is hard to predict as the coat changes many times for several years.

Temperament

The Cairn Terrier is an alert, animated, hardy, little dog. Loyal, curious, cheerful, lovable and friendly, they enjoy playing with children. Independent, but will listen if it sees the human is stronger minded than itself. Meek and/or passive owners will find the dog to be willful. This breed can be taught to do tricks. A fearless, bold vermin hunter, Cairns like to dig. With enoughmental and physical exercise along with consistent leadership they will be calm and easy-going. Cairns adapt well to their new homes. They need firm, but not harsh, training and discipline. Without the proper leadership, the Cairn can become destructive and/or bark excessively. If they spot a rabbit or other small animal they may take off chasing it. Do not allow this little dog to develop Small Dog Syndrome, human induced behaviors where they believe they are pack leader to humans. Cairns with this syndrome will develop all types of varying degrees of behavior problems, including, but not limited to separation anxiety, stubbornness, snapping, growling and guarding.

Height, Weight

Height: Males 10 - 13 inches (25 - 33 cm) Females 9 - 12 inches (23 - 30 cm)

Weight: Males 14 - 18 pounds (6 - 8 kg) Females 13 - 17 pounds (6 - 8 kg)

Health Problems

Often allergic to fleas. Gains weight easily.

Living Conditions

The Cairn Terrier will do okay in an apartment if it is sufficiently exercised. It is very active indoors and will do okay without a yard.

Exercise

These are active little dogs that need a daily walk. Play will take care of a lot of their exercise needs, however, as with all breeds play will not fulfill their primal instinct to walk. Dogs that do not get to go on daily walks are more likely to display behavior problems. They will also enjoy a good romp in a safe open area off-lead, such as a large, fenced-in yard.

Life Expectancy

About 12-15 years

Litter Size

About 2-10 puppies

Grooming

That shaggy "natural" looking coat actually takes quite a bit of maintenance and a neglected coat soon becomes a sorry, matted mess. Brush several times a week, being gentle with the soft undercoat. Once a month, bathe the dog and brush the coat while it dries. Trim around the eyes and ears with blunt-nosed scissors and clip the nails regularly. The Cairn sheds little to no hair.

Origin

The Cairn Terrier originated in the 1500s, in the Highlands of Scotland and the Isle of Skye and is one of Scotland's original terriers. At one point it was considered the same breed as the Scottish Terrier and the West Highland White Terrier up until the 1900s when the breeds began to be bred separately. The Cairn is also said to be related to the Skye Terrier. The Cairn was named for the way it would squeeze down into "cairns" and bark at fox and badgers until the farmer could arrive to kill them. "Cairns" were rock dens where badgers and fox lived, usually in piles of small stones used to mark Scottish farm borders and graves. The breed was first publicly presented in 1909 and became popular after the 1930s. It was first recognized by the AKC in 1913. It was a Cairn Terrier who played Toto in ”The Wizard of Oz.” Some of the Cairn's talents are hunting, tracking, go-to-ground trials, watchdog, agility, competitive obedience and performing tricks.

Recognition
  • APRI = American Pet Registry, Inc.
  • CKC = Continental Kennel Club
  • FCI = Fédération Cynologique Internationale
  • AKC = American Kennel Club
  • UKC = United Kennel Club
  • KCGB = Kennel Club of Great Britain
  • CKC = Canadian Kennel Club
  • ANKC = Australian National Kennel Club
  • NKC = National Kennel Club
  • NZKC = New Zealand Kennel Club
  • CET = Club Español de Terriers (Spanish Terrier Club)
  • ACR = American Canine Registry
  • DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc.
  • NAPR = North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
  • ACA = American Canine Association Inc.
Scottie the Cairn Terrier is standing outside and looking towards the camera holder with its mouth open and tongue out

Scottie the Cairn Terrier at about 3 years old—"Scottie was rescued as the car in front of us slowed down and dumped him on a back road. He was a mess and skin an bones. I have been fostering him and got him back in good health. He will soon go to his new forever home. He is very smart, loyal and a relaxed little guy who knows when to play and when to take it easy. He is a great kid! My best foster dog yet. Congrats Scottie on your new home!!"

Scottie the Cairn Terrier is laying on a couch and he is wearing a blue band around his lower end

Scottie the Cairn Terrier at about 3 years old wearing a dog belly band

Scottie the Cairn Terrier is sleeping on its back on a bed and it has a blue band around his lower end

Scottie the Cairn Terrier at about 3 years old wearing a dog belly band

Pepper the Cairn Terrier is sitting outside and looking towards the camera holder

Pepper the Cairn Terrier

Whitty-Sue the Cairn Terrier is leaning against a couch arm and looking behind her

Whitty-Sue the Cairn Terrier at 3 years old

Harper the Cairn Terrier puppy is sitting outside in grass and looking forward

"Harper the Cairn Terrier at 9 weeks old is just a bundle of energy! It was hard enough getting her to stay still long enough to get just this picture."

Bonnie the Cairn Terrier is standing on a mossy rock that is in a small stream with other rocks behind her

Bonnie the black-brindle Cairn Terrier at 3 years old— "I bought Bonnie from a breeder when she was a 10-week-old puppy. She is very intelligent an ornery. She loves to go fishing and hiking and loves the water. She keeps our yard free of rats, gophers and rabbits. She loves chasing airplanes, hawks, and buzzards, and doesn't show any fear of anything. We go for a 1/2 mile walk everyday. Bonnie was very hyper her first year, and has calmed down a lot. The only problem I had training her was breaking her from chewing. She has been a lot of fun and very entertaining. Don't know what I would do without her."

Bonnie the Cairn Terrier is standing in snow and looking up with its mouth open

Bonnie the black-brindle Cairn Terrier at 3 years old

Bonnie the Cairn Terrier is wearing a red collar standing in a body of water with its back to the camera

Bonnie the black-brindle Cairn Terrier at 3 years old in the water with her coat groomed short.

Bonnie the Cairn Terrier as a Puppy is standing outside in front of a house and walking towards the camera holder with an outdoor flower pot on the ground in the background

Bonnie the black-brindle Cairn Terrier as a puppy

Bonnie the Cairn Terrier as a Puppy sitting on a crack on a sidewalk

Bonnie the black-brindle Cairn Terrier as a puppy

See more examples of the Cairn Terrier