Cairn Terrier

Origin & history

The Cairn Terrier is one of Scotland's oldest working terriers, developed in the Highlands and especially on the Isle of Skye to hunt foxes, badgers and rats among the cairns, the piles of stone that gave the breed its name. Farmers needed a small, gritty, weatherproof dog that could squeeze into rocky crevices and face down vermin underground, so the Cairn was bred for nerve and function rather than looks. For a long time it was lumped together with the Scottish, Skye and West Highland White Terriers, all sharing common roots, and the types were only formally separated in the early twentieth century. The Cairn was recognised under its own name around 1912. The breed gained a burst of worldwide fame as Toto in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, and it remains a popular small companion in Australia.

Temperament

The Cairn is friendly, fearless and full of beans, an alert and confident little dog that thinks it is much bigger than it is. It is affectionate with its family and generally good with children, enjoying play and attention. It can live happily with other dogs and with cats it has grown up with, but the hunting instinct is strong, so small pets like rabbits, guinea pigs and rats are not safe with it. Most Cairns are sociable but watchful with strangers and will sound the alarm readily, which makes them good little watchdogs but means barking needs managing. They are intelligent and quick to learn, yet independent and stubborn in the usual terrier way, so training should be consistent, upbeat and reward-based. They need daily exercise and mental stimulation, and a bored Cairn will happily dig up the garden.

Appearance

A small, sturdy terrier, the Cairn stands about 28 to 31cm at the shoulder and weighs roughly 6 to 7.5kg. The build is workmanlike, slightly longer than tall, with good bone for its size. It has a broad little head with a foxy expression, small erect ears, dark eyes and a shaggy beard. The defining feature is the harsh, weather-resistant outer coat over a soft, dense undercoat, which gives a deliberately rough, natural look. Colours include cream, wheaten, red, sandy, grey and nearly black, often brindled, and many Cairns have dark points on the ears and muzzle. The coat colour can change and darken as the dog ages.

Suitability

The Cairn adapts well to either a house with a yard or an apartment, provided it gets regular walks, play and mental work, though any yard should be terrier-proof because these dogs are determined diggers and escape artists. It suits active individuals, couples and families with children old enough to handle a small dog respectfully, and it is a reasonable choice for a first-time owner who is ready for a bit of terrier stubbornness. It is people-oriented and can fret if left alone too long, so it is happiest where it has company for much of the day. Its harsh double coat handles a range of weather, but in hot Australian summers it still needs shade, fresh water and walks timed for the cooler parts of the day.

Health

Cairn Terriers are generally robust and often live around 13 to 15 years. Most health problems in the breed are well managed by good breeding. Patellar luxation, where the kneecap slips, can cause intermittent lameness. Eye conditions occur, including progressive retinal atrophy and cataracts, so eye testing of breeding stock is worthwhile. The breed can be affected by an inherited liver condition called portosystemic shunt, and DNA-based and blood screening can help. Some Cairns are prone to allergies and itchy skin, and a few lines carry a rare bleeding disorder (von Willebrand disease) and a bone condition affecting young dogs (craniomandibular osteopathy). Choose a breeder who has parents eye tested and is open about any liver, knee or skin issues in their lines, and keep up routine flea, tick and dental care.