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 Cairn Terrier

The Cairn Terrier is a Ratter from Scotland

The Cairn Terrier is an intelligent little dog with lots of energy and spirit. He was bred from the Scottish Terrier, in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, so he is tough and sturdy and able to withstand harsh weather. A cairn is a man-mad pile of boulders and stones, which was used to delineate property lines and these became dens and hiding places for foxes and badgers. The Cairn terrier was small enough and tough enough to burrow into these and flush out the prey, or hold them until the farmer came to kill them. He is also an excellent ratter.      

He is one of the smallest terriers, standing about ten inches tall at the shoulder and weighing about fourteen pounds.

Their small size makes them ideal for an apartment. They are very active indoors but they are energetic working dogs and need regular daily exercise outside the home.

The Cairn Terrier is very intelligent. Dr Stanley Coren is a respected researcher and has compiled a comparative list of the intelligence of all the dog breeds registered with the American Kennel Club. The Cairn Terrier is placed joint 35th out of all the 157 breeds, with "above average working/obedience intelligence". He is quick and eager to learn but he can be independent and stubborn. (He is a Terrier!).

This is a popular breed, placed at 56th in the order of registrations with the American Kennel Club during the year 2010. 

Grooming The Cairn Terrier

The Cairn Terrier sheds very little, so you won't have a problem with loose dog hairs all over your carpets and furnishings. He has a medium-length, wiry, double coat consisting of a  short, soft, furry undercoat and a harsh top coat, designed to resist those severe Scottish winters.

You only need to brush him once or twice a week and clip quite short every few months but for a show dog, he should be stripped (dead hairs plucked out) every few months. Obviously, if he has been doing his "working terrier" impression and has been burrowing or digging, then he will need a bath and a good brushing

Training The Cairn Terrier

The Cairn Terrier has above average working/obedience intelligence and is quick and eager to learn but he has the inbred independence of the terrier breed and can easily get bored and distracted if his training is too repetitious and goes on too long. Frequent, regular training sessions, of about fifteen to twenty minutes will get the best results especially if they can be combined with his daily exercise. With the right training, he can excel in obedience, tracking and agility competitions.

It is common to see small terriers straining on the leash, whenever they are out for a walk. With the right advice, you can correct this fault and this will be a base for all your other training skills. Get this advice and much more, from  Training Your Cairn Terrier which is a FREE mini-course, delivered straight to your inbox. 

Exercising The Cairn Terrier

The Cairn Terrier is a true working dog, full of energy and interest in everything around him. Romping and playing in the home is not enough exercise for him, he needs a daily walk as a minimum. If you can manage two outings per day, so much the better - for You and for him!  When out in public places, he should always be on a leash, because he has the terriers' prey drive and will chase and attack any small animals he sees. He is also likely to be distracted and want to investigate any other interesting sights and smells he encounters. If you have access to a secure, enclosed area, he will enjoy a game with a ball or a frisbee but you may have difficulty in getting him to give it back.   

The Cairn Terrier's Temperament

The Cairn Terrier is affectionate, loyal, energetic and loves his family. He is not a cuddly dog, preferring to play and romp rather to lie about all day. He is an excellent watchdog, fearless and protective of his home and family.  He is good with children and is sturdy enough to withstand some boisterous play but he will not tolerate teasing. He can be aloof and suspicious with strangers but if they are regular visitors, he will soon learn to accept them as friends. His size makes him an ideal pet for a small apartment.