Cairn Terrier

Small, sturdy and sweet – it’s the super cute Cairn Terrier!

History of the Cairn Terrier

Cairn Terriers were originally bred to hunt vermin in and around cairns (man-made rock pile markers or burial grounds) on the Isle of Skye in Scotland.  They are one of 18 native Scottish dogs.

Up until 1873, all terriers in Scotland were called Scottish Terriers. In 1873, the terrier was divided into two different types the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Skye Terrier.

From the early 1900s onwards, Skye Terriers development split into two very different physical lines. These dogs became Cairn Terriers, West Highland White Terriers and Scottish Terriers. 

Probably, the most famous Cairn Terrier is Terry, who played Toto in the movie “Wizard of Oz”. The original book by L. Frank Baum described Toto as ‘a little black dog with long silky hair and small black eyes that twinkled merrily on either side of his funny, wee nose’.

Appearance

Cairn terrier coat colours can include cream, brindle, light grey, deep red and apricot. Their coats are short and shaggy and don’t require too much grooming. Even when they are groomed, Cairns have a rough and ready appearance. They have a soft dense undercoat and a harsh outer coat.

Its head, tail, and ears are erect. They have shaggy eyebrows with bright attentive eyes. The males of this small but sturdy breed have a height between 25 – 33 cm, while the ladies have a height of 23 – 30 cm.

Temperament

The Cairn terrier is an alert, active, energetic, little dog. They’re loyal, curious, cheerful, loving, and friendly. They enjoy playing with children and they love to dig.

Cairns need a lot of physical activity and mental stimulation to prevent boredom problems. Playing games, especially fetch helps with this.

These dogs live well in both city apartments or country estates as long as they are kept active with walks and play sessions. 

As is the case with most dogs, Cairns do not enjoy being left alone at home for hours. They need lots of love and attention and a daily walk.

Do you have a Cairn? What do you love most about yours?