Cairn Terrier

Breed Information

All About Cairn Terriers

“A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down.”

- Robert Benchley

Bones Chart
How They Score
0 - 5 Bones

Trainability
General Breed Health
Easily Housebroken
Low Maintenance
Good w/Other Pets
Very little Shedding
Good w/Children

All the many reasons to love them...

Watch Dogs-They make keen watch dogs! Cairns wholeheartedly enjoy their positions as defender of the family and take this role very seriously.

Size- Males and females vary slightly in size and weight. Males tend to be the larger of the two and should reach a maximum weight of 18 pounds. Despite their small size, they're not great pets for apartment dwellers as terriers need plenty of exercise for good mental and physical wellbeing.

Friendly- Cairns possess a true terrier temperament. They're loving dogs in family life and enjoy the company of people, but caution should be exercised where strangers are involved.

Trainability- Cairns are quick learners who want to please. However, like many of their terrier cousins, they can be overwhelmingly stubborn. They seem to possess the intelligence of an idependent thinker and may decide on their own to question what you might be trying to teach them.
We highly recommend these positive training techniques for Cairns.

Loyalty-Cairns are faithful, affectionate and loyal companions. They love to be in close proximity of their owners, but they're not clingy and would vigorously protest to being a full time lap warmer. A Cairn possesses the rare quality of being affectionate while still maintaining his independence.

Excitability- More excitable than you might think, Cairns are terriers and they were bred to hunt. There is a tendency to be aggressive in certain situations. "Laid back" is not a phrase used to describe most Cairns.

We at Small-breed-dogs.com seek to educate those in the market for a loving family pet. We urge you to research the breed of your choice through any means available to you. Our most urgent mission, however, is to put an end to puppymills and careless backyard breeding operations.

Please educate yourself about Pet Stores and puppy mills
and consider rescuing a needy dog. Chances are good there is a Cairn Terrier rescue group
near you.

Side Note: With the popularity of small dogs increasing, so too has the number of breeders, both good and bad. With the hype surrounding many small breeds, so in turn has the population of unwanted dogs become ever increasing. Click on the following link to learn how Adoption Saves Lives.

Have you also prepared yourself for…

Willfulness- Clearly intelligent, but easily as stubborn, the Cairn Terrier tends to leave you wondering who's training who. Early training when their puppies is the most effective way of obtaining a well-behaved dog, but it's entirely possible to acheive success with an older dog as well... through absoulute consistency and plenty of praise.

Maintenance- Cairns don't need a great amount of grooming and too much can damage their wiry coats. Brushing twice per week and bathing every other week or so is plenty for a Cairn Terrier. Regular attention to his nails, teeth and ears starting when he's young will accustom your dog to these necessary practices.

Chasing Instincts- Cairn Terriers are energetic dogs who, by instinct, love to chase. A simple squirrel could send this little dog bolting. Until he's satisfied with his success in the chase, he'll tune-out your frantic calls to stop him. Never walk a Cairn without a harness.

Digging- The instinct to dig is built into the genetic make-up of this dog. Never assume your dog is secure just because your yard is fenced in. Digging comes naturally to the Cairn Terrier, so discouraging this behavior is difficult to say the least.

Aggression- Not all Cairns have aggressive dispositions, but they are terriers and can be quick to react. A responsible breeder makes it her mission to breed dogs with good temperaments, but nothing is guaranteed. Test your dog's behavior around other animals before allowing him unharnessed, indoor freedom with other visiting pets.

If you often come home to find puddles of pee on your floor and your belongings chewed to bits, it could be Separation Anxiety. Click on the link for helpful tips in stopping this behavior.

-Health Issues-

Not all Cairns are unhealthy. They are normally a long-lived and hardy breed. It's important to educate yourself and ask questions of your breeder about their testing practices and health guarantees before you purchase a puppy. The conditions listed below are for information purposes only and are not intended to replace the advice of a veterinarian.

Skin Problems- Many Cairn Terriers suffer due to allergies. Atopic Dermatitus- known by many other names, is a disorder of the immune system and can cause mild to severe skin reactions. Fleas, grass and corn based food products are common contributors.

Hip Dysplasia and Joint Problems including arthritis and Patellar Luxation (A joint condition in which kneecaps dislocate) are common among Cairn Terriers. These are very painful for your dog and sometimes expensive to correct.

Legg-Calvé-Perthes syndrome is a disease seen in varying degrees in many small breed dogs. It's degenerative and leads to bone loss and collapse of the hip joint which is obviously painful. Early treatment can help to prevent degenerative arthritis.

Hypothyroidism is a condition of the thyroid gland seen often in Cairns. It can cause weight gain, hair loss and scaly skin.

Cataracts and a whole host of eye diseases affect the Cairn Terrier. Ocular Melanosis/Secondary Glaucoma is a disease that most often affects both eyes, as opposed to just one. Cairns face losing their sight altogether if this disease reaches advnaced stages.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy- is another condition affecting the eyes of many Cairns. Often called night-blindness, it becomes far more serious as the disease progresses.

Pulmonary Fibrosis- This lung disease is seen mostly in Westies, but Scotties and Cairns are also affected. Very little research has been done on this disease and the prognosis is often very poor once scarring develops. Signs to watch for include, loss of stamina during exercise, dry cough and rapid or labored breathing.

The Cairn can suffer due to Heart, Kidney and liver disease and several Immune System Disorders among many other things. Please choose a breeder wisely and take care of your dogs... They depend on you.

NEW! Make Your Cairn Terrier a Star!

Submit a favorite picture (or two) of your Cairn Terrier and we'll feature him on our upcoming Cairn Picture Page!
Use the link to share photos with your friends and family!