Spotlight on the Cairn Terrier

Introduction

Hi everyone, and thanks for joining me on this episode of Val Talk’s Pets. It’s been a while since I did a focus on a specific breed of dog, so on this episode I will be shining the spotlight on the Cairn Terrier.

If you have never seen a Cairn Terrier, be prepared, because they are cute! Like the Westie, the Cairn also originated in the Highlands of Scotland and the Isle of Skye.

History of the Breed

According to Wikipedia, originally, the Cairns were called the Short-Haired Skye Terrier. When the breed was being established, there was concern raised by the Skye Terrier Club about the name. Because the Short-Haired Skye Terrier was noted for flushing vermin from cairns, the name Cairn Terrier was adopted.

The United Kingdom created a separate registration for Cairns in 1912, their first year of registration.

Appearance

So, what does a Cairn look like? Well, the most famous Cairn Terrier was Toto from The Wizard of Oz. You can imagine little Toto running the Yellow Brick Road, his little legs carrying him away from the Wicked Witch.

Cairns have a shaggy coat and are hardy and sturdy. They are considered a small dog at 10–12 inches tall and around 13–14 pounds. Their coats are called a double coat, which means they have a harsh, wiry outer coat and a soft, downy undercoat.

A Cairn will need what is called hand stripping when groomed. This means the dead hair is removed by hand rather than by clipping. This preserves the harsh outer coat and allows new coat to grow in. This wiry outer coat is naturally water resistant, so hand stripping keeps its integrity.

This could be a bonus, as Cairns shouldn’t be bathed often—overbathing can dry out their skin, and a good brushing will remove dirt from their coat. Their small, pointed ears make them look alert and, of course, super cute.

Colours

This little dog comes in different colours: black, cream, wheaten, red, sandy, grey, or brindled. However, if the dog is to be registered with a kennel club, many will not accept pure black, black and tan, or white.

Personality and Temperament

What kind of dog are you getting with a Cairn? According to the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC), Cairns are active and require daily exercise or they could become destructive.

Cairns were bred as a working dog, assisting Scottish farmers of ridding vermin in the cairns that abounded in the area. The Cairn needed to be agile enough to jump from rock to rock, possess a skill for digging, and an unswerving determination to go after the quarry, whether it be rodent, fox, badger, or otter. They were often worked in packs and, as a result, must show character that can get along well, for the most part, with others of its kind.” (CKC.ca)

Overall, they are happy, busy little dogs and “Fanciers call the Cairn ‘the best little pal in the world.’” (CKC.ca)

Health Concerns

According to PetMD, Cairns live about 13 to 15 years. They have a few things to be concerned about:

• Eye problems: They can develop cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), which can lead to blindness.
• Cushing’s disease: (See my episode on this affliction for more details.)
• Hypothyroidism: This results in decreased production of thyroid hormone, which can cause weight gain, chronic skin or ear infections, lethargy, intolerance to cold, and a thinning coat.
• Liver shunts: This is “abnormal blood flow that bypasses the liver, preventing it from filtering toxins from the blood.”
• Patellar luxation: The dog’s kneecap slips out of place.

Living with a Cairn Terrier

In terms of temperament, Cairns are friendly dogs that make great family pets. They have a lot of energy and can be diggers—one of the traits they were bred for. They also like to chase anything and everything, due to their hunting nature, so leashing and fencing is a must. PetMD also points out that if you are interested in getting a Cairn, make sure you know you will need a lot of time to train and socialize the pup and be prepared for both exercise and mental stimulation.

Final Thoughts

Cairn Terriers are super cute, hardy, feisty little dogs. They are rugged, can handle harsh weather and can be a handful for new dog parents, so an experienced hand is better. Also, they need lots of exercise and stimulation. They can be cuddly and make great family dogs.

One thing to note: they do not do well being separated from their humans for long periods of time. Leaving a Cairn at home for 9 or 10 hours while at work is not a good situation, and this breed choice should be rethought if that is your situation.

If you have your heart set on a Cairn Terrier, make sure you go to a reputable breeder that is CKC, AKC, or equivalent. You do not want a backyard-bred Cairn Terrier. Supporting the breed through proper breeding programs is very important.

These little dogs are worth the wait for the right one, so do your research and find the right breeder—because as I say, knowing is caring.

Please check out more of my Spotlight episodes

Tagged as: small dog care,  terrier history,  family pets,  dog grooming,  dog health,  dog breed,  Cairn Terrier.