Dog class - Terrier
Average height - 9.5 to 10 inches
Average weight - 13 to 15 pounds
Size - Small and strong
Coat - Double coat: soft undercoat; harsh, wiry and weather resistant over coat
Average life span - 14 to 18 years

This hearty, spirited, plucky, and bold little dog is the archetype of all terriers (remember Toto in "The Wizard of Oz"?). These dogs tend to have large teeth for their size, large feet and strong nails. They have muscular shoulders, and very strong legs for digging. Cairn Terriers have waterproof, rough coats that do not shed. They come in many colors, but brindle predominates (black hairs interspersed with other fur color). These dogs are "people" dogs, thriving indoors with the family. If left alone for too long, these dogs will put chew furniture. In addition, they like to dig, so find a nice spot that they can tear up, OR perhaps put them to work in your garden before planting season!

The Cairn Terrier was developed in Scotland on the Isle of Skye as a rugged hunter of fox, otter, and rats; and takes its name from the rocky cliff dens, or "cairns," where the dog found its prey. The original Cairn line was the source for other terrier breeds, such as the Scottie and the West Highland White. Today, most of these dogs serve as companions rather than vermin hunters. They were brought to the United States in 1913. Toto, from the film "The Wizard of Oz," was a Cairn Terrier!

Cairn Terriers are especially well-suited for "go to ground" events. This is a show event designed for dogs who are bred to go to ground for vermin. Because these dogs are good with digging and seeking out hidden, buried objects, you might play a bit of bury-and-find with your pet. Also, these dogs love chewing, so give them something to chew on or play a friendly game of tug-of-war with a chewable toy.

The Cairn Terrier is a moderately active dog that bonds well to the entire family. This breed sheds very little, and is good with older, considerate children. Although it can be stubborn, the Cairn Terrier does want to please and responds well to firm and consistent obedience training. They are active dogs indoors and shed very little, making them well-suited to living in a small apartment. In addition, they make a wonderful pet for a novice owner.

Cairn Terriers tend to be very healthy. The most common health problem is skin allergies.

If you leave your Cairn Terrier outside, all alone for far too long, this little dog will bark and bark and bark! In addition, these dogs can be voracious chewers if so inclined. These dogs require a lot of trimming and clipping. They can also be reserved with strangers, and scrappy with other animals. The Cairn can also be a very territorial dog, leading to aggression when confronted with other dogs. Finally, this breed does not seem to recognize its own (small) size and tends to not back down when confronted by a larger, more aggressive dog.

When choosing your puppy, do not opt for the boldest, scrappiest one of the bunch. Such an extreme in a breed known to be bold and scrappy can make for a non-stop battle of wills between you and your pint-sized dog.

Further Cairn Terrier Dog Resources