The self-assured Cairn Terrier is one of Scotland’s oldest terrier breeds. It serves as a rat hunter and companion dog. Learn more about the Scottish hunting dog in the following article.

History of the Cairn Terrier

The history of the Cairn Terrier begins in the Scottish Highlands. There, small terriers have been used for hunting for centuries. Their small size allowed them to penetrate the burrows of foxes, badgers, and martens. In the barren landscape of the Highlands, the shelters of these animals are found among rocks and piles of stones. The ancestors of the Cairn Terrier fearlessly confronted their formidable opponents, drove them out of the burrows, and were even able to fight and kill them. They guarded homes and farms, keeping buildings free from rats and mice.

For a long time, breeding focused not on the appearance of the dogs but only on their hunting qualities. It was only at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century that Scottish terriers were divided into various breeds: initially into West Highland White Terriers, Scottish Terriers, and Skye Terriers. The latter was predominantly bred on the Scottish island of Skye and is closely related to the Cairn Terrier. The Cairn Terrier was initially classified as a short-haired variant of the Skye Terrier, but after protests from circles of Skye Terrier breeders, the breeding of Cairn Terriers separated.

In 1907, a Cairn Terrier named “Callamhor,” bred by Alastair Campeil, was first entered in the studbook. She is considered the founder of Cairn Terrier breeding. In 1909, a Cairn Terrier appeared for the first time at a dog show in Scotland. In the same year, the Scottish Cairn Terrier Club was founded. The breed was registered with the British Kennel Club in 1911, and the breed standard was established in 1912. The Cairn Terrier was not recognized by the international umbrella organization FCI until 1963. Although it was recognized as the last of the four Scottish hunting terrier breeds as a separate dog breed, the Cairn Terrier is considered the most original in appearance and character.

Nature and Character

“Cheerful and fearless” is how the Cairn Terrier is often described. Above all, it is one thing: active. Even though it is now rarely used for hunting, it is accustomed to working and being on the move a lot. In addition to physical exercise, the intelligent dog also wants to use its brain. As a hunting dog, it is used to working independently. Brave and self-assured, the small hunter sometimes tends to overestimate itself.

At the same time, it is very affectionate and loyal. Watchful, it guards its home. In addition, Cairn Terriers love their pack, and when well trained, they are true children’s pals who are balanced and do not react hectically or nervously. However, they should get to know other animals from puppyhood, as they may otherwise see them too easily as prey. All in all, Cairn Terriers are very adaptable dogs that are suitable both as family pets, enjoying action and play, and as loyal companions for single people.

Affection Level	High
Friendliness	High
Kid-Friendly	High
Pet-Friendly	Medium
Exercise Needs	High
Playfulness	High
Energy Level	High
Trainability	Medium
Intelligence	High
Tendency to Bark	Medium
Amount of Shedding	Medium

Acquiring a Cairn Terrier

You should not underestimate a Cairn Terrier just because it is physically small. Its heart and self-confidence are giant. You should consider beforehand that it is a very lively dog that does not just walk alongside you. It requires a lot of time and attention and does not like to be alone. Additionally, it has hunting instincts and must therefore be consistently trained from puppyhood so that it can walk off-leash in woods and fields.

Having prior experience with dogs and being able to lead the dog is helpful, as otherwise, it may easily think it needs to take over the leadership of the pack. However, the Cairn Terrier is adaptable and can usually be taken anywhere. Dog beginners can learn together with it in a dog school.

What to look for when buying?

You should only buy a Cairn Terrier from a reputable breeder, never through classified ads on the internet where you cannot meet the parent animals. A breeder who cares about the welfare of his dogs will always allow this. He will answer your questions but also ask you questions because it is important to him that his puppies go to good hands. Dog breeding is expensive, and before you can take the puppy home at the earliest at eight weeks, it has already had the first vet visit and the first vaccinations. So, if you come across seemingly cheap offers, you should not accept them.

Such dogs come from so-called breeders, are usually separated from the mother far too early, and are often already sick. A purebred Cairn Terrier from a good breeding will usually cost more than $800. You can find addresses of reputable breeders through the Terrier Club and the umbrella organization AKC.

Development and training of the puppy

A Cairn Terrier is not quite as stubborn as other terrier breeds. Nevertheless, it possesses the typical self-assurance of hunting dogs and is used to thinking and acting independently. It has not lost its hunting instinct, and you can only let it run freely in the woods and fields if it can be recalled at any time. It therefore requires a loving but absolutely consistent training with a lot of patience.

One must not underestimate the small, lively quadruped and not be softened by its cuteness. Also, all family members must pull together in education because the clever dog will quickly find out who he can wrap around his paw the easiest. Ideally, you already have experience in training dogs. If you are a beginner, you should consider visiting a dog school. There you will get good tips, and your dog will meet other dogs. Plus, learning together is much more fun.

How to keep a Cairn Terrier

Due to its size, the Cairn Terrier fits everywhere, even in a city apartment. However, it is a requirement that you have the opportunity to take long walks with it, ideally in a park or along a riverbank; wherever nature still exists. It would be perfect if there is a dog park where you can play and romp with your four-legged companion.

Perhaps there is also a dog club or a dog sports club in your city where you can train with your Cairn Terrier and meet like-minded people and exchange ideas. Often such training grounds are also connected to a dog school. Of course, a house with a garden is nice for the Cairn Terrier, where it can let off steam if you have to leave it alone for a while. But in that case, you should note that Cairn Terriers love to dig and can certainly dig up your flower beds.

Activities with the Cairn Terrier

The activity level of the little terrier is extremely high, and it cannot deny its ancestors, the working dogs in the Scottish Highlands, who were often out all day. It is by no means a lap dog; it must be adequately occupied, both mentally and physically. However, it does not have great demands on the type of activity. Whether long walks, playing and romping with children, or dog sports: the Cairn Terrier is open to everything, as long as it can do something with its family. The hunting instinct is still in him, and he can certainly be trained as a hunting dog.

Health and Care

Cairn Terriers, when coming from a good breeding, are very robust in their originality, and you can generally expect to have a healthy dog well into old age. Only with the eyes do Cairn Terriers sometimes have problems. But if eye diseases like the so-called rolling eyelid or glaucoma are recognized early, the chances of healing are good. Therefore, the dog should be regularly presented to a veterinarian. However, you should also regularly check your four-legged friend’s eyes, ears, and coat yourself. This is especially important after a walk, for example, to discover ticks in the fur.

Regular checking should become a ritual. And if your four-legged friend gets used to it as a puppy, he will gladly allow it and even enjoy the attention. The dirt-repellent, hard coat of the Cairn Terrier is extremely easy to care for. It is sufficient to comb or brush him two or three times a week with a special terrier brush. Depending on the thickness of the hair growth, the Cairn Terrier needs to be trimmed two to four times a year.

Interesting and Worth Knowing

The name of the Cairn Terrier is derived from the Scottish Gaelic word for “stone,” “carn.” The homeland of the Cairn Terrier is barren and rocky, and it often had to search among stones for its prey. The colors of its coat also resemble the stones. And the ideal weight of a Cairn Terrier was 14 British pounds, which corresponds to one “stone.”

Do you have a Cairn Terrier or are you planning to get one? Tell us in the comments what you think makes it so special!