Cairn Terrier Dog Breed

History

Cairn Terriers were bred to hunt foxes, rodents, and vermin and were always highly regarded for their eagerness to please by Scottish hunters. While the actual origin of this breed is still unknown, they are believed to be one of the oldest native Scottish terrier breeds, potentially dating back to the 14^th or 15^th centuries. They are also thought to be the foundation for many other terrier breeds we know today, such as the West Highland Terrier and Skye Terrier.

In the 16th century, both King James I and VI sent a group of these “Earth Dogges” over to the King of France. They were even said to have been transported on a separate ship “lest disaster befall them en route”.

In the early days, these dogs were experts at hunting foxes, rats, and rabbits. However, by the 18th and 19th centuries, they were also regularly used to hunt otters and badgers. The Cairn Terrier breed was highly prized for its “gameness”, courage, and ability to disregard any pain when tackling game. These dogs were eventually named Cairn Terriers because they were highly skilled at routing their prey from cairns (piles of rocks, often used as boundaries, memorials, and landmarks).

Farquhar Kelly of Drumfearn and Captain Martin MacLeod of Drynock are known to be some of the most prominent early breeders of the Cairn Terrier on the Isle of Skye. However, surprisingly, the Cairn Terrier was the slowest of the Scottish terrier breeds to gain popularity outside of Scotland.

The Kennel Club finally accepted the breed in 1910, thanks to the dedication and persuasion of numerous pioneering breeders, including Mary Hawke and Mrs Alastair Campbell. The official Cairn Club was founded in the same year with 54 members. Today, these active little dogs are known around the world, with more than 20 breed clubs.

Appearance

These small terriers are well-muscled and sturdy, boasting distinctive short, shaggy coats. Their heads are pretty small and broad but still well-proportioned to the rest of the body. A shiny black nose enhances the overall charming appeal of this breed. They also have well-defined stops and powerful muzzles.

Their eyes are set wide apart on the head and are darkish hazel in colour, outlined by shaggy eyebrows. Their small ears are pointed and carried upright. Their jaws are strong with regular scissor bites.

These dogs have well-set necks with sloping shoulders and their straight front legs are covered with coarse hair. They have bodies that are compact with well-sprung ribs and a nice level back. Their loins are supple and well-muscled. Furthermore, their well-developed hindquarters boast muscular thighs. Their back feet are a little smaller than the front legs, but both have thick, strong pads. Cairn Terriers have short well-furnished tails that are carried merrily but never over the back.

These dogs have shaggy, weather-resistant double coats. The outer coat is rough but never coarse, while the undercoat is short, soft, and lies close to the body. Cairn Terriers can have a slight wave in the coat which is permissible under the UK breed standard.

These dogs can come in a variety of coat colours, which include: Cream, Wheaten, Red, Grey and Nearly black.

Brindling is acceptable in all these coat colours and darker patches on the ears and muzzles are common.

Personality

These little dogs have happy yet fearless characters. Like their terrier cousins, they are highly intelligent, which makes them easy to train. However, bear in mind that they are very quick off the mark, which means they can get into mischief!

The Cairn Terrier generally loves participating in many canine sporting activities because they love the attention and it’s a great way to burn off some of their excess energy. Just ensure that courses and training sessions are age appropriate. Young Cairn Terriers can potentially damage their ligaments and joints during jumping programs.

A Cairn Terrier is an excellent choice for novice dog owners as long as you can provide enough love and affection. This is because they thrive on being around people and do not appreciate being left alone for long periods. So, they would be well suited to families and couples that work from home and enjoy an active lifestyle.

Cairn Terriers are very playful and energetic, so if you can provide them with some outdoor space, like a secure garden, they will surely thank you for it!

Like all terrier breeds, Cairn Terriers can be a bit yappy if they have not been appropriately trained and socialised from a young age. That said, they respond well to training and make great watchdogs. Digging, barking, chasing, and socialising are high priorities when it comes to the list of fun activities Cairn Terriers enjoy!

Trainability

Cairn Terriers are intelligent dogs, but they can also be stubborn at times because of their independent natures. Therefore, their training and education should start as early as possible. They should be handled with a firm yet gentle hand to grow into well-balanced, well-rounded, and mature adults. These dogs need to know their place in the pack otherwise there is a risk of them becoming dominant and unruly.

It is recommended that you enrol Cairn Terrier puppies in obedience classes once they have been vaccinated for guidance and socialisation. Moreover, Cairn Terriers tend to enjoy participating in these classes.

Like all dog breeds, Cairn Terriers respond best to positive reinforcement training. Start with short training sessions and make sure you are in a quiet room with minimal distractions to ensure your dog's focus remains on you! These are highly playful canines so feel free to vary training sessions to include fun games, both indoors and outdoors.

Coat & Care

To keep your Cairn Terriers’ coat clean and tangle-free, you need to brush them at least twice a week with a slicker or pin brush. Moreover, because they have a natural shaggy appearance, the harsher outer coat should be stripped roughly twice a year to keep it in good condition. Regular bathing isn’t strictly necessary unless your pup gets particularly dirty.

Like many breeds, the Cairn Terrier tends to shed more during Spring and again in Autumn. Therefore, they may require more frequent brushing during these times. That said, Cairn Terriers are known to be a low-shedding breed that is generally considered to be hypoallergenic. However, remember that no dog is 100% hypoallergenic so it’s worthwhile meeting your potential new puppy prior to making a final decision. This will help you to determine if that specific dog flares up your allergies.

Their ears must be checked often to ensure they are kept clean, dry, and free of foreign objects which can lead to infections. Use a clean cotton ball or cloth soaked with a vet-approved ear cleaner once a week or so. Potential signs of infection to look out for include redness, swelling, excessive wax build-up, and behavioural changes such as repeated head shaking. It’s important that you get your dog to a vet as soon as you can if you suspect an ear infection because they can be difficult to clear up if left for too long.

A daily dental routine is still the best way to prevent bad breath and tooth and gum disease. Nonetheless, twice a week brushing is adequate enough to stop any tartar or bacteria from spreading. Ask for a recommendation from your veterinarian about the dog products that will work best to clean their teeth, gums, mouth, and tongue.

A Cairn Terrier’s nails must be trimmed regularly. This is important because long nails can be painful and even cause mobility issues. Check their paw pads too, making sure they are clean and dirt-free.

Lastly, check the whole body as you clean and groom your dog to check for any unusual signs that may indicate an infection or illness. These can be varied but may include abnormal lumps, sore areas, hair loss, and dry patches. Assess their eyes as well to make sure they are clean and healthy without any pain or discharge.

Health

Cairn Terriers are lively little dogs with a relatively long life span, especially if they are provided with a nutritious diet. Regular vet checkups, as well as varied exercise opportunities and mental stimulation are also important. All puppies should be purchased from reputable and licensed breeders to ensure they have been well-socialised, weaned, and cared for. They will also perform DNA tests on your pup to ensure there are no underlying health issues present.

Below are some of the more common health conditions seen in Cairn Terriers:

Glaucoma – An eye condition characterised by degenerative changes in the retinal ganglion cells and optic nerve. This is a painful condition that can cause blindness if not treated swiftly.
Cataracts – Where a cloudy film covers the lens of the eyes. This prevents light from entering, which can cause vision issues. It commonly affects dogs in their later years.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy – A family of eye diseases involving the eye retina's slow deterioration. Affected dogs may lose eyesight during the day but as the disease progresses, their nighttime vision can also be impaired.
Porto Systemic Shunt (PSS) – An abnormality in the vessels, allowing blood from the intestines to bypass the liver.
Hip Dysplasia – A genetic condition where the thighbone does not fit cleanly into the hip joint. This can make your dog more susceptible to other joint issues later in life.
Luxating Patella – Also known as "slipped stifles,”. This is a common problem in small dog breeds. In affected dogs, the kneecap will shift out of its normal alignment on occasion. Mild cases can be controlled with anti-inflammatory medications,
Von Willebrand Disease – A genetic blood disorder that restricts the blood's ability to clot. Its main symptom is too much bleeding after surgery or an injury.
Legg-Calves-Perthes Disease – A painful condition that causes the hip joint to crumble. It usually affects young dogs and is most commonly seen in small dog breeds like the Cairn Terrier.

Children & Other Pets

Because of their naturally playful and affectionate personalities, the Cairn Terrier is an excellent choice for families with children. They love nothing more than being around them and are incredibly tolerant. However, it is still recommended that adults supervise every playtime and interaction between a Cairn Terrier and a child to avoid any mishaps. Also, bear in mind that, like all terriers, Cairn Terriers may be averse to rough handling so teach your children how to appropriately handle and interact with a dog.

Cairn Terriers are generally good around other dogs if they have been well socialised and introduced from puppyhood. But, because of their terrier background, these dogs should not be left alone with smaller pets, including cats. These dogs have a strong hunting instinct so caution should be exercised. For this reason, you should also make sure your dog is fully recall-trained before letting them off the lead outside. Otherwise, there’s a risk that your pup might dash off after enticing prey!