Cairn Terrier
A small, sturdy and cheerful Scottish terrier with a shaggy coat, a curious mind and plenty of everyday stamina.
At a glance
- Size
- Small
- Height at the withers
- 28–31 cm
- Weight
- 6–7.5 kg
- Life expectancy
- 13–15 years
- Exercise
- 45–60 min a day
- Grooming
- Once a week
- Coat
- Wire-haired, Double coat, short
- Colours
- Cream, Wheaten, Red, Grey, Brindle
- Bred for
- Terrier work, Companionship
- Country of origin
- United Kingdom
- FCI
- Group 3, no. 4 · Terriers
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 4/5 – High |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 4/5 – High |
| Good with other dogs | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with cats | 2/5 – Low |
| Open to strangers | 4/5 – High |
| Energy | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Playfulness | 4/5 – High |
| Needs mental stimulation | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Easy to train | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Prey drive | 5/5 – Very high |
| Watchful and protective | 2/5 – Low |
| Barking | 4/5 – High |
| Shedding | 2/5 – Low |
| Grooming effort | 2/5 – Low |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 4/5 – High |
| Suits apartment living | 4/5 – High |
| Adaptability | 4/5 – High |
| Copes with being alone | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with heat | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with cold | 4/5 – High |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- want a sturdy small dog with a big personality
- have children who play gently
- enjoy daily walks in all weathers
Think twice if you …
- keep rabbits, rodents or other small pets
- want a quiet dog
- have a garden you don't want dug up
Care
Temperament
Cheerful, curious and self-confident, with a friendly attitude to people. It is independent and determined when something catches its interest.
Exercise
Around an hour of daily walks and play suits it well, and it enjoys earthdog-style games, scent work and exploring new routes.
Grooming
Brush the harsh coat weekly and hand-strip loose hair a few times a year; shedding is light.
Training
Responds to positive, patient training, but recall can be unreliable near wildlife. Short, varied sessions work best.
Health
Ocular melanosis, patellar luxation and liver shunts are seen in the breed, and a DNA test is available for globoid cell leukodystrophy. Ask the breeder for eye and DNA results.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Eye examination
- Kneecaps (patella)
DNA tests
- Globoid cell leukodystrophy (GCL)
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Cairn comes from the western Highlands and the Isle of Skye, where it was used to flush foxes and other vermin from the piles of stones, or cairns, that dot the landscape. It is one of the oldest of the Scottish terriers and was kept close to its working roots.
At home it is a busy, friendly little dog that likes to be part of everything. It is sturdy enough for family life, enjoys walks and games, and tends to be good-natured with people. Like most terriers it loves to dig and chase, and it will happily tell you about passing cats and squirrels.
Did you know?
Toto in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz was played by a female Cairn Terrier named Terry.