Cairn Terrier

The Cairn Terrier is a breed of dog of the terrier category. It is one of the oldest terriers, originating in the Scottish Highlands and recognized as one of Scotland's earliest working dogs, used for hunting burrowing prey among the cairns.

Cairn Terrier Appearance

The breed standard can be found on the Cairn Terrier Club of America website. The current standard was approved on May 10, 1938 and it was adopted from the The Kennel Club of Great Britain. According to the American standard, dogs should weigh 14 pounds and stand 10" at the withers. Bitches should weigh 13 pounds and stand 9.5" at the withers. A cairn terrier's appearance may vary from this standard. It is common for a cairn terrier to stand between 9 and 13 inches (23-33 cm) at the withers and weigh 13 to 18 pounds (6 to 8 kg). European cairn terriers tend to be larger than American cairn terriers. Due to irresponsible breeding, many cairn terriers available today are much smaller or much larger than the breed standard. cairn terriers that have had puppy mill backgrounds can weigh as little as 7 pounds or as much as 27 pounds.

The Cairn Terrier has a harsh, weather-resistant outer coat that can be cream, wheaten, red, sandy, gray, or brindled in any of these colours. Pure black, black and tan, and white are not permitted by many kennel clubs. While registration of white cairn terriers was once permitted, after 1917 the American Kennel Club required them to be registered as West Highland White Terriers. A notable characteristic of cairn terriers is that brindled cairn terriers frequently change colour throughout their lifetime. It is not uncommon for a brindled cairn terrier to become progressively more black or silver as it ages. The cairn terrier is double-coated, with a soft, dense undercoat and a harsh outer coat. A well-groomed cairn terrier has a rough-and-ready appearance, free of artifice or exaggeration. These dogs are generally healthy and live on average about 15 years.

Cairn Terrier Temperament

Cairn Terriers are intelligent, strong, and loyal. Like most terriers, they are stubborn and strong-willed, and love to dig after real or imagined prey. Cairn Terriers have a strong prey instinct and will need comprehensive training. However, they are highly intelligent and, although very willful, can be trained. Although it is often said that they are disobedient, this is not the case provided correct training is applied. They are excellent with children and make wonderful family dogs. These are working dogs and are still used as such in parts of Scotland. Like most terriers, they require large amounts of exercise. Cairn Terriers are very independent and do not make good "lap dogs". The image of Cairn Terriers being like "Toto" from the Wizard of Oz is a partial misconception. In reality, these dogs do not always like to snuggle and would heartily object to being kept in a basket. They like to do what they want, and will not make good pets for someone looking for a dog to cuddle with. However, they are extremely loyal and very amiable.