Honest FAQ for Cairn Terriers

What kind of temperament and personality does the Cairn Terrier have?

The most descriptive words that come to my mind regarding Cairn Terrier temperament and behavior are:

active, playful, cheerful, hardy, loyal, alert, barky, plucky, bossy, stubborn, possessive, loves to dig, and "Toto" from the Wizard of Oz!

I give you my honest opinions about Cairn Terrier temperament and personality traits and characteristics – positives AND negatives – in my dog breed review, Cairn Terrier Temperament and Personality Traits (What's Good About 'Em, What's Bad About 'Em).

How do you pronounce Cairn Terrier?

Start with the word CARE (the e is silent), then tuck a quiet n sound on the end of it. So it's like CAIRn.

Don't mispronounce it like this: CARN or CAR-EN or CAIR-EN

Where did the name Cairn Terrier come from?

The name (and the breed) are Scottish. Cairns  are man-made piles of stones used to mark graves and lot boundaries. Rodents would live beneath these rock piles and Cairn Terriers would be sent in to roust the varmints.

What were Cairn Terriers used for?

Over the centuries, a variety of terrier-type dogs assisted their Scottish owners in killing vermin on farms and game preserves. The different terrier types were broadly referred to as Scotch Terriers and eventually sorted into the Cairn, Westie, Scottie, and Skye.

Virtually all terriers, all over the world, were developed for the same reason – to kill barnyard varmints such as mice, rats, moles, weasels, and foxes. Also to be keen watchdogs.

What traits would help Cairn Terriers accomplish their work? That's right... sharp senses, strong drives to chase and grab things that run, spunkiness, agility, toughness, determination, persistence, independent thinking, and loyalty to his owner.

How big are Cairn Terriers? Height and weight?

About 9-11 inches at the shoulder, and 12-16 pounds, which puts them in the SMALL category.

What colors do Cairn Terriers come in?

Cream, gray, red, silver, wheaten, and various shades of brindle. Brindle means distinct dark stripes on a lighter background.

Alternatively, the stripes can be so numerous and heavily concentrated that you can hardly see the lighter background peeking through, i.e. the dog might appear black, especially from a distance. The latter dogs are, in fact, often called "black" brindles or "reverse" brindles.

How much exercise do Cairn Terriers need?

Moderate exercise. All terriers need brisk walks, plus a decent yard for romping and exploring. Play games of fetch and tug. Set up a miniature obstacle course and run around it with him. And get your Cairn Terrier involved in an AKC terrier-focused activity called Earthdog  – terriers love it. Another AKC activity that some terriers enjoy is called Scentwork.

Do Cairn Terriers need a fenced yard?

Yes. Why a fenced yard? and best and worst fences.

Are Cairn Terriers easy to train?

To be honest, no terrier breed is "easy" to train. Terriers are hardwired with an independent mind of their own. However, that doesn't mean you should just let them do what they want. It means you should expect more resistance than if you were teaching, say, an eager-to-please Poodle. But you must hold terriers just as accountable for bad behavior as you would any other breed.

The great news is that IF you have a confident personality and are prepared to be firm with your Cairn, you should be able to establish a healthy leader-follower relationship with this clever little dog. With the proper pecking order in place, combined with regular exercise and loads of companionship, a Cairn Terrier can be great fun to own.

Are Cairn Terriers easy to housebreak?

They're about average. Just follow the right housebreaking steps for however long it takes, and they'll get the idea.

Are Cairn Terriers friendly with people?

Like most terriers, Cairns tend to be loyal to their own family and a bit standoffish (though still polite) with strangers. Cairns make excellent watchdogs but you don't want to allow a terrier to develop the bad habit of actually confronting people or "telling people off", as this tends to escalate, over time, to outright aggression.

Are Cairn Terriers good with children?

I never recommend terriers for children younger than about age 10. These breeds have a strong sense of pride and fairness and don't tend to put up with pushy children who step over the line. If you want a terrier, your kids should be older and have the kind of personality and behavior that can be relied upon to treat a dog with respect.

Are Cairn Terriers good with other dogs?

Cairn Terriers are usually fine with other dogs in their own family, but it's safest if they're the opposite sex.

With dogs they don't know, most terriers will stiffen and stand up on their toes, leaning toward the other dog and making hard eye contact. You can clearly hear their thoughts, "My sidewalk! Either back down, or fight right now." Scrappy, scrappy dogs – not every terrier, but most.

Are Cairn Terriers good with cats?

They're usually fine with cats in their own family, especially when they've been raised together. But they do have excitable chasing instincts and they are quick and agile, so...

Until they've proven themselves to be safe together, keep an eye on things.

How much do Cairn Terriers shed?

The shaggy double coat of the Cairn Terrier is an average shedder, which means it sheds moderately in the spring and fall.

Are Cairn Terriers hypoallergenic? Good for people with allergies?

If you're allergic to canine saliva, no. If you're allergic to dog dander... a few people with (mild) dander allergies might be minimally affected by a Cairn Terrier. However, this breed doesn't make my list of reliably hypoallergenic breeds (such as a Poodle or Bichon Frise).

How much grooming do Cairn Terriers need?

Brushing and combing? Focus on the beard every day, as it gets gunked up by food and water. Each week, check for mats under your Cairn Terrier's "arms" and keep their private parts trimmed or clipped short for sanitary toileting.

The major grooming requirement is clipping the coat short every few months. You can learn to do it yourself or you can use a professional groomer, but it must be done on an ongoing basis, else the coat will become a matted mess.

What's a good training schedule for training Cairn Terrier puppies?

Here's the puppy training schedule I use for Cairn Terriers: Puppy Training Schedule.

What behavior problems do Cairn Terriers tend to have?

As you might expect, leading the list is chasing things that run... often followed by grabbing things that run. Outside of a fenced yard, this inquisitive and spunky breed should be kept on-leash.

Other behavioral issues that I tend to see in Cairn Terriers include barking, excitability, pulling on the leash, digging holes in the garden, digging under fences, and pugnaciousness toward other dogs. Here's how to handle behavior problems.

What health problems might Cairn Terriers have?

Chronic allergies (causing terribly itchy skin) are common in all terrier breeds. Loose knee joints (luxating patella) and degenerative hip diseases can cause pain and lameness and may require expensive surgery. Cataracts can cause blindness. And then there's epilepsy, heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease....

What breeds are similar to the Cairn Terrier?

• West Highland White Terrier
• Scottish Terrier
• Norwich Terrier
• Norfolk Terrier
• Australian Terrier

Where can I buy a Cairn Terrier puppy?

From a show breeder is best. They're the only ones doing the mandatory knees/eyes/cardiac health testing... but be careful, because even some show breeders are not testing. Read my article.

Where can I adopt an older Cairn Terrier?

Rescue group or humane society/shelter? Read my article.

I just got a new Cairn Terrier. Which pages should I read first?

• Cairn Terrier Health, which includes my advice on feeding, vaccinations, and daily health care. These pages are very important, because if you start your Cairn Terrier puppy off on the wrong foot, he will probably experience health problems later on. Starting off right is essential.
• Training Cairn Terriers, which includes my advice on respect training, housebreaking, and socialization. Again, you must start your Cairn Terrier puppy off on the right foot by teaching him what he needs to know, and you must avoid doing the wrong things with him so that he doesn't develop bad habits that will be much harder to fix later on.

Do male dogs or female dogs make better pets?

Ah, let the debate begin! Honestly, male Cairn Terriers have pros and cons, and female Cairn Terriers have pros and cons. Visit Male Dogs versus Female Dogs

There's an adorable Cairn Terrier puppy at the pet shop. The store manager assures me they only buy from responsible breeders. Could this be true?

No responsible Cairn Terrier breeder would ever place one of their Cairn Terrier puppies in a pet shop for resale. To find out more about pet shop puppies, visit Pet Shop Puppies: Buying a Puppy From a Pet Store.

How do I pick the best Cairn Terrier puppy from a litter?

You can do puppy personality tests. Visit How To Choose a Good Puppy.

What's the best dog food for Cairn Terriers?

3 Best Ways To Feed Your Dog Healthy Food.

I have to take my Cairn Terrier to the vet soon for shots. Which vaccinations does he really need?

The schedule of vaccinations that dogs really need has changed dramatically – but unfortunately most vets are not telling you this, because a good chunk of their income depends on frequent vaccinations. Please don't get any more shots for your Cairn Terrier until you've read my article on Puppy Shots and Dog Vaccinations.

What are the pros and cons of spaying and neutering my Cairn Terrier, and when should it be done?

Spaying and neutering are often recommended too early, which can lead to health problems later in life. Visit Spaying Your Female Dog or Neutering Your Male Dog for the straight scoop on the safest (and riskiest) times to spay or neuter.

I have a question about Cairn Terriers that I don't see answered on your web site.

It's probably answered in one of my free online books.