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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.
The Cairn Terrier breed can suffer from:
- Patellar luxation
- Legg-Perthes disease
- Portosystemic shunts, which is a condition where the blood does not pass through the liver normally, which leads to toxin build-up.
- Glaucoma
- Atopy where the skin reacts to allergens in the environment and becomes sore and itchy.
- Von Willebrand's disease¹ which is where a dog produces insufficient or faulty clotting factors which can result in uncontrolled bleeding.
Priority Kennel Club health schemes and testing:
- None but there are several recommended schemes that the Kennel Club recommends which can be found here.
¹J. Donner, 'Frequency and distribution of 152 genetic disease variants in over 100,000 mixed breed and purebred dogs', 2018, PLOS Genetics
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.
| Family-friendly: | 5/5 |
| Exercise needs: | 4/5 |
| Easy to train: | 2/5 |
| Tolerates being alone: | 1/5 |
| Likes other pets: | 4/5 |
| Energy level: | 5/5 |
| Grooming needs: | 3/5 |
| Shedding: | 3/5 |
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.
Owners should be active and fit both mentally and physically, to match this sparky, lively terriers nature. Ready for long walks, fun training sessions and play every day, no matter what the weather. Some grooming is required, a weekly brush through, six monthly ‘roll’ or strip the coat and a quick check through after walks. Ideal owners will understand a terriers nature, and be prepared to socialise and habituate well to other animals and livestock, and/or practice sensible management to avoid conflict.
When it comes to dog exercise, the Cairn Terrier breed is bursting with energy and must be given time to run and play, at least an hour’s walking daily ideally with lots of interesting smells. They are typical terriers and so will also need plenty of things to occupy their minds and bodies. This includes dog games, interactive toys, enrichment opportunities and, for many, a chance to dig!
The Cairn is a small dog and so doesn’t need a big house. They do enjoy having a garden however - and if that can include a digging pit, they will be even happier. They also love to explore the sights and sniffs of the countryside and so a rural or semi-rural home (or at least regular access to the countryside) may suit them best.
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.
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.
The Cairn takes a typical terrier view of dog training but they are more biddable than many and if you can motivate them with reward-based, fun training, they can achieve a surprisingly high level and may even become experts at sports like mini-agility. As they have an instinct to hunt and chase, training a reliable recall is vitally important but even then, it is generally wise to keep them on the lead unless you are in a secure safe area.
The Cairn Terrier can make a really fun family dog but they may not have the best patience with younger unruly children who may want to grab or chase them.
While many dogs are traditionally thought of as being good with children, all dogs and children need to be taught to get on with each other and be safe together. Even so, dogs and young children should never be left alone together and adults should supervise all interactions between them.
