Cairn Terrier

Cairn Terriers are a cheerful, alert, lively and extrovert breed that can be trained to happily live with children and, thanks to their history as a pack terrier, with other dogs too.

Like most terriers however they may not be safe with small furry animals or strange cats. They are affectionate, bonded to their owners and enjoy being a part of everything they do

This terrier has a compact body and broad head with a bushy topknot and eyebrows. His shaggy, medium-long coat needs weekly brushing and some trimming or stripping, as well as monthly bathing.

Short-legged and strongly built, Cairn Terriers have a foxy expression, hard coats and small, pointy ears. Whilst not heavily built, they are well muscled, workman-like little dogs, with hard, profuse outer coats and short, soft, close undercoats.

When it comes to dog grooming, the Cairn Terrier's weatherproof, double coat should be brushed and combed once a week. During moulting, which usually occurs twice a year, the coat should be hand stripped to remove the dead hair.

While the Cairn Terrier is generally a healthy breed, they can suffer from various hereditary eye disorders and so eye testing of dogs prior to breeding is therefore important.

Like many small dog breeds they can also suffer from kneecaps that may temporarily slip out of place (luxating patellas).

There are other issues affecting the breed, some of which have DNA tests available. The breed club monitors health closely and so should be consulted for up to date information.

Small dogs have a fast metabolism, meaning they burn energy at a high rate, although their small stomachs mean that they must eat little and often. Small-breed foods are specifically designed with appropriate levels of key nutrients for a balanced dog nutrition and smaller kibble sizes to suit smaller mouths. This also encourages chewing and improves digestion.

Scotland has always had a variety of vermin-killing terriers and the ancestors of the Cairn have been known in the Western Highlands since the 17th century.

By 1887, the Cairn Terrier was first being mentioned as a specific breed with their job being to hunt the rodents that infested the cairns (piles of stones) that were found on the bleak game moors and that threatened the game there.

They were also used in packs to rout out otters, foxes and even badgers - which they were more than happy to do despite being the smallest of the working Scottish terriers.

Their thick shaggy coat that protected them from the harsh elements and their plucky nature meant that they were perfectly suited for their role. The Cairn Terrier breed has changed little over the years.

The Cairn Terrier is named for the rock dens that foxes and badgers lived in throughout the Scottish countryside. These terriers would squeeze down the cairns and bark to alert the farmer if they found game.

The best-known Cairn Terrier is “Toto” from the movie “The Wizard of Oz.” The dog’s real name was “Terry,” and though this Cairn played a male role, Terry was a female.