History

An original Scottish Terrier, Cairn Terrier has a history of more than 500 years. The dog was popularly used by Scottish farmers as a vermin killer. The Cairn Terrier received its official recognition in 1913.

Appearance

A powerful, courageous and well-built dog, the Cairn Terrier has a beautiful, luxuriant bushy outer coat and a smooth silky undercoat, with red, brindle, blackish, sand and gray shades. The dog has a broad head with hairy topknot and eyebrows, black colored nose, a strong muzzle and a broad, sturdy skull. It has dark eyes and small erect ears, with a short and hairy tail. The average height of the breed ranges from 10 to 12 inches and it weighs 13 to 16 pounds.

Color

All colors are acceptable with the exception of white. Brindle, black, tan, sand, red and gray are often found in the same litter.

Personality

The Cairn Terrier is an excellent companion as well a good family pet. A hyperactive and restless dog, the Cairn Terrier is extremely affectionate, brave and could be easily trained. The dog is highly sensitive and does not like to undergo a strict training session. In fact, they are good companions for children because of their impatient, restless nature and high indoor activity. The dog always loves to be attended by its owner and doesn’t like to be left alone. They also exhibit a strong tendency to protect their territory and are always prepared for a fight with other male dogs.

Health Concerns

The normal life span of a Cairn Terrier is 12 to 15 years. The most common health problems that affect Cairn Terriers are Von Willebrand’s Disease, hereditary eye diseases Flea allergy and dislocation of kneecaps.

Recognized By

CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR