Coat colours not recognised by the British Kennel Club include pure black and black and tan. Pure white Cairn Terriers were once permitted to be registered by the American Kennel Club, but they had to be registered as West Highland White Terriers.

Origin of the Cairn Terrier

Cairn Terriers originated in the Highlands of Scotland and on the Isle of Skye, and are recognised as the oldest terrier breed. As the name suggests, it was bred to go into “cairns” (rock dens habituated by foxes and badgers) and hold its prey in place by barking until the owner, generally a farmer, could kill it.

Sizes of Typical Male and Female Cairn Terriers

Cairn Terriers should weigh between 6kg and 8kg. At the shoulder, on average they measure between 23cm and 33cm. There does not tend to be a great difference between males and females in terms of height and weight.

Cairn Terrier Temperament

Cairn Terriers are often referred to as ‘big dogs trapped in a little dog’s body’. They are fiercely loyal, extremely intelligent, and often more than a little stubborn! Obedience training from a very early age is essential, as Cairn Terriers are working dogs and are genetically predisposed to behaviours that may cause them problems in a home. They have a tendency to chase and hunt other animals, with cases of Cairn Terriers injuring cats fairly commonplace. Cairn Terriers are gentle and very people-orientated, which makes them excellent family pets.

Cairn Terrier Coats

The Cairn Terrier coat consists of two parts; a shaggy, rough outer coat and a downy, soft undercoat. Cairn Terriers do not tend to shed very much, and are hypoallergenic so therefore are suitable for people who suffer allergies to dog’s fur. When grooming, they should always be hand stripped, as clipping even once can permanently damage their outer coat. Hand stripping involves gently pulling dead hairs out by the roots, which does not hurt the dog at all. It is important to regularly hand strip any dog, especially terriers, with dual layer coats, as this decreases the risk of skin problems as they get older.

Exercise Your Cairn Terrier

Cairn Terriers, with their primal instinct to chase, are best left on a leash when walking in busy areas, as it is impossible to train them not to run after squirrels, rats and other small animals. However, exercise off the leash in a fenced in area will greatly benefit them, as they love to run and play. They must be walked daily as lack of exercise can lead to negative behaviours such as barking.

What Health Problems can Cairn Terriers Suffer From?

Cairn Terriers are very hard little dogs, with only a few hereditary medical problems to worry about. Generally, these occur in the hips, knees and lower leg due to the active lifestyles they are born to lead. Health problems include luxating patella (dislocation of the knee cap), Legg–Calvé–Perthes syndrome (weakening and disintegration of the hip joint) and, most commonly, hip dysplasia. Hip scores of the parents should be available from breeders when buying a puppy, which can greatly decrease the chances of buying a dog prone to genetic problems.

The Life expectancy of a Cairn Terrier

The Cairn Terrier generally lives, on average, between 10 and 15 years.

The cost of a Cairn Terrier

Cairn Terrier puppies usually cost between £300 and £500.

Cairn Terrier Puppies

As with all terrier puppies, Cairn Terriers are playful and inquisitive. Care should be taken to ensure they cannot chew anything dangerous, such as medical equipment or electrical wires. Always buy your Cairn Terrier puppy from a reputable breeder and ask to see both parents when viewing your puppy.

Dog Groups Related to Cairn Terriers

Terrier Group

Similar dog breed(s) to the Cairn Terrier

West Highland Terrier, Skype Terrier, Jack Russell Terrier