Cairn Terrier

Though the Cairn is small, he's not much for pampered life. He is likely to wriggle out of laps or long hugs. He prefers to explore and play lively games, and can be equally happy in the city or on the farm. Ultimately, the Cairn deeply desires to be a part of his beloved family, even if he does seem independent at times.

Cairn Terrier breed facts

The Cairn Terrier is an alert, intelligent, active and long-lived

The Cairn Terrier has a working background and they like to dig

Information you should know before owning a Cairn Terrier

Cairn Terriers are small enough to be carried anywhere and sturdy enough for rough-housing for children.

The Cairn Terrier is best suited to a home where he will be reared with a firm, consistent discipline.

The history of the Cairn Terrier is enhanced by the fact that the modern Cairn is an attempt to preserve in typical form the old-time working terrier of the Isle of Skye.

From Martin's History of the Dog in 1845, Captain McDonald's description and measurements of the ideal Cairn in 1876, from Ross's Cairn Terrier, Darley Matheson's Terriers, and from many other writers, it is plain that these were working terriers, with courage for the bolting of otter, foxes, and other vermin from among rocks, cliffs, and ledges on the wild shores of their misty isle.

Scotland's terriers had been grouped together as Scotch Terriers until 1873, when they were separated into two classifications-Dandie Dinmont Terriers and Skye Terriers. The breeds we now know as the Scottish Terrier, the West Highland White Terrier, and the Cairn Terrier, were included in classes for Skye Terriers.The Scottish, West Highland, and Cairn had developed from the same stock, originating in the islands and highlands of western Scotland. The three often were found in the same litter, distinguished only by color. A club for Hard-Haired Scotch Terriers embracing the three was formed in 1881, and a standard was approved in 1882. White markings were considered a fault, though an all-white dog was valued.

Toward the end of the 19th century, fanciers of the Scottish Terrier type (who were in the majority) began to breed along separate lines. The Kennel Club was petitioned by a group known as The White Scottish Terrier Club for separate classes for whites in 1899. The request originally had been denied, but at Cruffs in 1907 separate classes were available for white terriers.The stud books were opened to West Highland White Terriers as a separate breed, with the first registrations listed as 1908.

In 1909, the show at Inverness offered classes for Short-Haired Skyes. At a meeting of the Skye Terrier Club, fanciers protested the use of the name. The confusion over the classification of these "Short-Haired Skyes" was once again apparent when they were entered in classes for Skye Terriers at Crufts in 1910, even though classes for Short-Haired Skyes were provided. The judge refused to judge these dogs as entered and marked her book "wrong class." A change of name to the "Cairn Terrier of Skye" was suggested for the Short-Haired Skye. (Cairns were piles of stones which served as landmarks or memorials. Common throughout much of Scotland, cairns were frequent hiding places for small mammals. Farmers used small terriers to bolt the animals from their rocky lairs.) The shortened name, Cairn Terrier, was agreed upon and in 1912 the breed was permitted to compete for chal-lenge certificates.

The Cairn Terrier standard in England permitted white as a color until 1923. The interbreeding of Cairns and West Highland White Terriers had occurred in both England and the United States. However, the AKC (who had given the breed official recognition in 1913) in 1917 barred any Cairn from registration if it was a product of "such a mixed breeding practice."

The modern Cairn should have the hardiness to meet the performance of his old-time prototype. Utility should be the aim of the fancier, since the expressed object of the Cairn Terrier clubs is to preserve the breed in its best old-working type.

The height of the Cairn, which differs from that of other terriers, is important in giving the breed the distinctive conformation that has been called "Cairishness." He is not so low to ground, in proportion to his size, as the Sealyham and the Scottish Terrier. There is one, and only one, correct size for the Cairn Terrier-14 pounds for dogs, 13 pounds for bitches, and the dogs should be in proper proportion to those weights.

Is this a vulnerable breed? Yes, No	No
What size is this dog? Small, Medium, Large	Small
How much excercise is required? 30 mins a day, 1 hour a day, Over 2 hours a day	1 hour a day
How long is this dog's coat? Short, Medium, Long	Medium
How much grooming is required? Once a week, More than once a week, Every day	More than once a week
Does this dog shed? Does shed, Does not shed	Does shed
What area is this dog best suited to? Town, Country, Either	Either
What size house is required for this breed? Flat/Apartment, Small House, Large House	Flat
What size of garden is required? Small Garden, Large Garden, No Garden	Small garden

	General Appearance Agile, alert, of workmanlike, natural appearance. Standing well forward on forepaws. Strong quarters. Deep in rib, very free in movement. Weather-resistant coat.
	Characteristics Should impress as being active, game and hardy.
	Temperament Fearless and gay disposition; assertive but not aggressive.
	Eyes Wide apart, medium in size, dark hazel. Slightly sunk with shaggy eyebrows.
	Mouth Large teeth. Jaws strong with perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
	Neck Well set on, not short.
	Forequarters Sloping shoulders, medium length of leg, good but not too heavy bone. Forelegs never out at elbow. Legs covered with harsh hair.
	Body Back level, medium length. Well sprung deep ribs; strong supple loin.
	Hindquarters Very strong muscular thighs. Good, but not excessive, bend of stifle. Hocks well let down inclining neither in nor out when viewed from the rear.
	Feet Forefeet larger than hind, may be slightly turned out. Pads thick and strong. Thin, narrow or spreading feet and long nails objectionable.
	Tail Short, balanced, well furnished with hair but not feathery. Neither high nor low set, carried gaily but not turned down towards back.
	Gait / Movement Agile, alert, of workmanlike, natural appearance. Standing well forward on forepaws. Strong quarters. Deep in rib, very free in movement. Weather-resistant coat.
	Coat Very important. Weather-resistant. Must be double-coated, with profuse, harsh, but not coarse, outer coat; undercoat short, soft and close. Open coats objectionable. Slight wave permissible.
	Colour Cream, wheaten, red, grey or nearly black. Brindling in all these colours acceptable. Not solid black, or white, or black and tan. Dark points, such as ears and muzzle, very typical.
	Size Approximately 28-31 cms (11-12 ins) at withers, but in proportion to weight – ideally 6-7.5 kgs (14-16 lbs).