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Breed Characteristics
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Cairn Terrier
| Country of Origin | Scotland |
| Weight | Males: 14 - 18 lbs. (6 - 8 kg) Females: 13 - 17 lbs. (6 - 8 kg) |
| Height (at withers) | Males: 10 - 13 in. (25 - 33 cm) Females: 9 - 12 in. (23 - 30 cm) |
| Coat | The shaggy, double, weather-resistant coat has a harsh outer coat with a soft undercoat. |
| Colour | The coat comes in any colour except for white, including red, brindle, blackish, sand and various shades of gray, often with dark ears, muzzle and tail tip. The final coat colour of a Cairn is hard to predict as the coat changes many times for several years. |
| Litter Size | 2 - 10 puppies |
| Life Span | 12–17 years |
| Origin & History | The Cairn Terrier was originally used as a ratting dog, hunting throughout farmlands in the areas around the Isle of Skye in Scotland in the 1500's. There are many terrier breeds that came out of this area, but the modern Cairn Terrier is considered to be the closest in appearance and personality to the actual ancestors of these terrier breeds. The Cairn Terrier received its name though its ability to push itself through the rocks that formed the cairns or stone fences after rodents and vermin that were problematic in the area. They were experts at driving the larger rodents or animals such as otters and badgers out of the cairns as well as hunting and killing the smaller animals. Although independent and prized for its ability to hunt, the Cairn Terrier was also valued as a watchdog and companion. The breed became increasingly popular through the 1900's as more people in large cities looked for active and energetic smaller dogs for city living conditions. The Cairn Terrier today is primarily used as a companion dog although they are also used in earthdog trials, in obedience and agility competitions as well as for watchdogs. |
| Personality | The Cairn Terrier is an alert, animated, hardy, little dog. Loyal, curious, cheerful, lovable and friendly, they enjoy playing with children. Independent, but will listen if it sees the human is stronger minded than itself. Meek and/or passive owners will find the dog to be willful. This breed can be taught to do tricks. A fearless, bold vermin hunter, Cairns like to dig. With enough mental and physical exercise along with consistent leadership they will be calm and easy-going. Cairns adapt well to their new homes. They need firm, but not harsh, training and discipline. Without the proper leadership, the Cairn can become destructive and/or bark excessively. If they spot a rabbit or other small animal they may take off chasing it. Do not allow this little dog to develop Small Dog Syndrome, human induced behaviors where they believe they are pack leader to humans. Cairns with this syndrome will develop all types of varying degrees of behavior problems, including, but not limited to separation anxiety, stubbornness, snapping, growling and guarding. |
Care Requirements
| Health | Generally the Cairn Terrier is a very healthy breed. Some of the common Health Problems that are seen are a tendency to gain weight leading to obesity and flea Allergies that result in skin rashes, excessive licking and scratching. There is also a problem in some Cairn Terriers with Cataracts that cause vision problems as the dog matures. There are also some genetic conditions including a bleeding disorder known as von Willebrands Disease and Legg Calve Perthes, a degenerative condition of the hips. Occasionally the Cairn Terrier can also suffer from patellar luxation or slipping of the kneecap that can usually be treated non-surgically. |
| Grooming | That shaggy "natural" looking coat actually takes quite a bit of maintenance and a neglected coat soon becomes a sorry, matted mess. Brush several times a week, being gentle with the soft undercoat. Once a month, bathe the dog and brush the coat while it dries. Trim around the eyes and ears with blunt-nosed scissors and clip the nails regularly. The Cairn sheds little to no hair. |
| Exercise | These are active little dogs that need a daily walk. Play will take care of a lot of their exercise needs, however, as with all breeds play will not fulfill their primal instinct to walk. Dogs that do not get to go on daily walks are more likely to display behavior problems. They will also enjoy a good romp in a safe open area off-lead, such as a large, fenced-in yard. |
| Other Considerations | The Cairn Terrier will do okay in an apartment if it is sufficiently exercised. It is very active indoors and will do okay without a yard. Famous Cairns: Terry, the dog who played Toto in the 1939 screen adaptation of The Wizard of Oz, was a brindle Cairn Terrier. Due to the identification of the State of Kansas with the original story The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, a resident of Wichita has begun a drive to make the Cairn Terrier the official dog of the State of Kansas. Terry also had a role in the Shirley Temple film Bright Eyes, and twelve other films. In media; In I Love Lucy Little Ricky had a Cairn Terrier named Fred. UK TV presenter Paul O'Grady often features a Cairn Terrier called Olga on his prime time chat show; dark in colour, Olga is a rescue dog. Also in the UK, Pauline Fowler actress Wendy Richard in the BBC TV show EastEnders had a Cairn she fondly named "Betty." Betty made an appearance as Toto on BBC's "Strictly Come Dancing" (Series 10) after Vincent Simone and his celebrity partner Dani Harmer danced a waltz to "Over the Rainbow" from The Wizard of Oz. George Lopez's family dog on the ABC TV series George Lopez, is a Cairn Terrier named Mr. Needles, named by the son, Max, for the extremely high number of shots that the incredibly sick former stray received from the veterinarian. Australian television soap series Neighbours had a Cairn Terrier named Audrey who belonged to the character Libby Kennedy. National Treasure: Book of Secrets The character of "Romulus", owned by Ray Milland's character, Steven Tolliver, in Cecil B. De Mille's epic Reap the Wild Wind (1942) was a Cairn Terrier. Oddly, the Ray Milland character a few years later in The Uninvited (1944), along with his sister also had a Cairn Terrier named "Bobbie" in that film. Bobbie was quite the ghost hunter in that film. Thimble the dog was a brindle Cairn Terrier played by Danvers. Thimble appeared once in Episode 5, Season 5 of the British television drama Upstairs, Downstairs (1971 TV series). A Wheaten Cairn Terrier named Kobe was featured in the following movies: Dunston Checks In / Lost And Found / and the opening scenes of Twister John Goodman's character Walter brings a Cairn Terrier bowling in The Big Lebowski (1998), though he misidentifies the dog as a Pomeranian In books; In the Maximum Ride book series Total, the talking dog, is a Cairn Terrier. In the first edition of L. Frank Baum's book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1899), though Baum did not specify in the text what breed Toto was, illustrator W. W. Denslow drew him as a Cairn Terrier. In Donald Barthelme’s short story “Chablis”, the narrator says that his baby wants, according to his wife, a “Cairn terrier.” |
