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Cairn Terrier Dog Breed Introduction
Cairn Terrier is a small-sized terrier breed from Scotland. It was developed to chase and hunt quarry between the cairns in the Scottish highlands. Therefore, this dog gets its name from this role. Cairn Terriers are affectionate dogs that make great family pets and companions for just about every kind of dog owner. However, they get bored and destructive if they are left alone for long hours. A Cairn Terrier is an adaptable dog that can live in apartments if it gets its daily exercise. This is a good pet choice for novice owners.
Cairn Terrier Origin | History
Cairn Terriers originated from Isle of Skye and Scottish Highlands. Previously, they were grouped under the Skype Terrier class along with West Highland White Terriers and Scottish Terriers. At the time, Cairn Terriers were known as short-haired Skye terrier that were used for chasing out the rodents that made their homes under the rocks and digging into Cairns( a traditional Scottish rock pile used as a land boundary marker).
The name was changed to Cairn Terriers from Short-haired Skype Terriers after the name was rejected by the Kennel Club due to opposition from Skye Terrier breeders. In the early 20th century, the three breeds began to be bred separately. Cairn Terriers were registered with AKC in 1913. The popularity of Cairn Terriers skyrocket in 1939 after a Cairn Terrier named Terry took on the role of plating Toto in the film The Wizard of Oz.
Cairn Terrier Lifespan
According to AKC, a Cairn Terrier has a lifespan of 13 to 15 years. Cairn Terriers are generally healthy and some live up to the age of 17 years.
Cairn Terrier Grooming
A Cairn Terrier has a double layered coat that is water proof and dirt resistant. The outer coat is profuse and harsh while the undercoat is short and soft. To keep the coat health and looking at its best hand stripping is required every few weeks especially for Cairn Terriers that participate in conformation shows. Hand-stripping helps to maintain the harsh structure of the coat, coat color, weather resistance, and dirt repellence. In addition, hand stripping also helps in promotion of new hair growth.
The coat is clipped for pets that don’t participate in show dogs. However, it changes the color and texture of the coat over time. Clipping also results to a bit of shedding since the dead hair has only been reduced in size but has not been removed completely. Frequent grooming sessions help in preventing skin irritation and matting. Keep the coat dirt and matt free by brushing the coat at least twice a week. Prior to brushing, spritz the coat using a detangling spray or water conditioner solution especially if the pet has severe matting. Brush the coat with a pin or wire brush while paying attention to areas that are prone to matting especially where the legs meet the trunk. If the coat has mats, use a slicker brush.
After brushing, comb the coat using a metal comb. While brushing and combing the coat, ensure you get through the top coat and undercoat to stimulate the skin and promote good coat growth. While brushing, be gentle around the sides and belly since they tend to be sensitive. A clipped coat may require regular baths as compared to a hand stripped coat since the dirt repellent and waterproof characteristics have been reduced. A Cairn Terrier that has a hand stripped coat only needs brushing to remove the dirt even after a serious digging episode. Bathing is recommended for times when the pooch rolls into something stinky. However, if the dog comes in with mud on the feet and belly, a quick wash of the undercarriage will do.
Use a special crisp dog coat shampoo or the one formulated for Terriers with a harsh top coat. After a bath, thoroughly rinse off the grooming products from the skin to prevent irritation using lukewarm water. Use a damp washcloth or a unscented canine wipes to wipe the face instead of using soapy water that irritates the eyes. Nail trimming is recommended every two weeks using nail clippers or grinder. Overly grown nails are painful for Cairn Terriers as they walk and run.
Remember to trim any long hair between the pads and around the feet. Daily teeth brushing is recommended using a dog-formulated toothpaste and toothbrush to remove excess tartar and stuck food particles. If the pet parent is not able to brush the teeth on a daily basis, he or she should make an effort of brushing the teeth at least twice a week. Weekly ear cleaning is recommended using cotton balls and an ear cleanser solution to remove excess wax and dirt. While cleaning the ears, remember to check out for odor, redness, and discharge that are signs of dog’s ear infection.
Cairn Terrier Haircut | Grooming Styles
There is a specific haircut or grooming style for a Cairn Terrier that participates in a conformation show and a pooch that is primarily a pet or companion as discussed below:
The Show Look ( Hand-Stripping) – To achieve the show look cut, the dead hairs are pulled out from the coat using special grooming knives to promote new hair growth and stimulate oil production. Hand stripping helps to maintain the coat structure and color as well as retaining the dirt repellent and weather resistance characteristic.
The Clipped Cut – For this hair cut, an electric hair trimmer or scissors is used to cut down the coat to a uniform short length. However, a clipped coat looses it natural water and dirt repellency requiring more frequent baths. Over time, the clipped coat tends to lighten in color. A Clipped cut is appropriate for owners that don’t wish to strip the coat out regularly, older dogs that have completed their show career, and puppies that are highly averse to stripping.
Cairn Terrier Grooming Tools
To fully groom a Cairn Terrier, a parent needs the following grooming tools: pin or wire brush, slicker brush, metal comb, detangling spray or a water conditioner solution, grooming table, a shampoo formulated and conditioner for harsh coats breeds, lukewarm water, dry towel, nail clippers, cotton balls, ear cleanser solution, dog-formulated toothpaste and toothbrush, scissors, hand stripping knives or an electric hair trimmer, and damp washcloth or unscented canine wipes.
Cairn Terrier Shedding
A Cairn Terrier sheds at low levels all-year round contrary to the belief they are non-moulting dogs.
Cairn Terrier Coat
A Cairn Terrier has a hard, dirt-proof, and weather resistant double coat consisting of the outer and undercoat. The outer coat is profuse and harsh while the undercoat is short and soft.
Cairn Terrier Hypoallergenic
Cairn Terriers are considered hypoallergenic dogs. This is because they shed at minimal levels all-year round releasing less dander and hair into the environment. A Cairn Terrier also rarely drools. Apart from the dog’s dander and hair, saliva, urine, and mucus contain a protein allergen that triggers allergic reactions in people who suffer from dog allergies. Owners are recommended to spend lots of time with the pooch before adopting to determine whether they are allergic to the dog.
Cairn Terrier Training | How To Train A Cairn Terrier
A Cairn Terrier is an intelligent and affectionate pet that learns pretty fast. However, they are independent dogs that may try to test the limits of their owners. Therefore, obedience training is a necessity. This training enables the dog to direct its focus on the owner as the one in command especially if they will be used for hunting. Due to the terrier in them, Cairns are prone to digging and chasing small animals hence novice owners should be prepared for such behaviors.
Socialization training is recommended to ensure Cairn Terriers mature into well-mannered and well-adjusted companions. This training starts from the age of 3 weeks when the pup is with the breeder until the age of 16 weeks after the Cairn Terrier has settled in the new home. Normally, owners take their fur babies home from the age of 8 weeks. If a pup stays with the mother and the litter mates until the age of 8 weeks, it is able to develop social skills. This also reduces the severity of separation anxiety.
To socialize a Cairn Terrier expose it to a wide range of people, situations, surfaces, places, sight, smell, and sounds such as baby crying sounds, sirens, washing machine, vacuum cleaners, whistles, and lawn mowers. Enrolling a Cairn Terrier in a puppy class also serve as a form of socialization. Puppy classes provide a controlled environment where the dogs get to interact. These classes not only help the owners to identify and correct bad behaviors but also have access to training information and assistance.
Remember to use positive reinforcements methods such as use of treats, toys, petting, verbal praise, and playtime. This will encourage positive behaviors. However, avoid use of harsh correction methods such as the yelling, kicking, punching, shoving, use of choke or prong collars, and even beating the dog. Keep the training sessions short and fun for a period of 5 to 10 minutes distributed throughout the day especially for puppies. The training session span may increase as the dog matures to about a period of at least 10 minutes.
Start basic obedience training immediately you bring a Cairn Terrier home. Some of the commands words that this breed learns include come, stay, sit, down, heel, leave it, etc. that are potentially life saving. It is recommended to teach one command at a time until the pet understands before proceeding to the next command word. Never issue a command to your pooch while too excited or frustrated since it won’t sound the same for your dog.
To effectively house break Cairn Terriers, crate training, creating a feeding schedule, and potty training is recommended. Crate training is essential for this breed since these dogs are prone to separation anxiety if left alone for long hours. A crate teaches the pup to be confident in staying alone for sometime. This device also provides a safe place where the dog can retreat to. A Crate is also indispensable when potty training. It enables the pet parent to monitor the dog for signs that it wants to eliminate such as whining, sniffing, circling, restlessness, squatting, and trying to lift a leg against the crate wall.
For effective potty training, take Cairn Terriers to the designated potty area immediately they wake up, after naptime, 20 minutes after meals and drinks, every 2 to 3 hours, following an exciting activity such as car ride, and before bed time. However, the potty breaks will increase to every 6 to 8 hours after the age of 8 months. This is because the bladder and bowel muscles increases as the dog matures.
Cairn Terrier Personality | Temperament | Characteristics | Traits
- Alert.
- Curious.
- Loyal.
- Independent.
- Playful.
- Friendly.
- Gentle.
- Affectionate.
- Loving.
- Sociable.
- Sensitive.
Cairn Terrier Exercise
A Cairn Terrier requires moderate amount of exercise. Daily brisk walks while on leash and playing in a secured yard will suffice. Cairn Terriers may be stimulated mentally and physically by participating in herding, tracking, obedience, coursing ability tests, and earthdog events.
Cairn Terrier Barking
A Cairn Terrier is a curious and alert dog. It will bark to alert the owner of a bird flying past, a vehicle on the street, when someone is approaching the house etc.
Cairn Terrier Height
Cairn Terriers have a height of 9.5 to 11 inches ( approx. 24 to 28 cm).
Cairn Terrier Weight
An adult Cairn Terrier has a weight range of 15 to 18 pounds ( approx. 6.8 to 8.2 kg ).
Cairn Terrier Size
A Cairn Terrier is a small-sized dog with a height of 9.5 to 11 inches ( approx. 24 to 28 cm) and a weight of 15 to 18 pounds ( approx. 6.8 to 8.2 kg ).
Cairn Terrier Aggression
Naturally, Cairn Terriers are loyal, affectionate, sociable, friendly, and loving dogs. However, they may exhibit aggressive behaviors if they were poorly socialized, traumatized in the past, or when they are in pain.
Cairn Terrier Eye Problems
Some of the eye problems that Cairn Terriers suffer from include:
Entropion – This is an eye issue that causes the eyelids to roll inwards rubbing against the surface of the cornea. This causes chronic pain to Cairn Terriers and may even lead to corneal ulcers.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy – This is a group of degenerative diseases that leads to gradual vision loss. It may lead to blindness.
Cataracts – A Cairn Terrier is affected by this condition if it has a cloudy and whitish eye lens that eventually leads to loss of vision.
Ocular Melanosis – This is a hereditary eye condition that is more common in this breed. It is also referred to as pigmentary glaucoma because it often results to glaucoma.
Cairn Terrier Health Issues | Common Health Problems
This is a relatively health breed that may live up to the age of 17 years. However, Cairn Terriers are affected by certain health issues including Hypothyroidism, Von Willebrand disease, Soft-tissue sarcoma, Portosystemic shunt, Luxating patella, Legg–Calvé–Perthes disease, Krabbe disease, Hip dysplasia, Diabetes mellitus, Bronchoesophageal fistula, Craniomandibular osteopathy, and certain eye disorders such as cataracts, entropion, lens luxation, Ocular melanosis, Progressive retinal atrophy, and Corneal dystrophy.
Cairn Terrier Litter Size
After conception, Cairn Terrier Dams have a gestation period of 57 to 63 days before whelping a litter size of 2 to 10 puppies.
Cairn Terrier Collar
A Cairn Terrier should be exercised in a fenced yard or on a leash. This breed should also go for brisk walks while on a leash. This is because Cairn Terriers have the urge of chasing rabbits, cats, and squirrels. Therefore, they are likely to pull when they spot a quarry. For this reason, pet parents should walk the dogs on a harness for better control. This accessory also evenly distributes the pressure on the back and shoulders. A collar exerts pressure on the throat, trachea, and the neck which may cause tracheal collapse in small-sized dogs.
Apart from Cairn Terriers, other breeds of dogs include:
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
Cairn Terrier Food | Dog Food
The amount of food that Cairn Terriers feed on depends on their activity level, age, metabolism, size, and body build. Cairn puppies tend to have a high metabolism rate as compared to adults and senior dogs. Therefore, a pup needs to feed on 3 or 4 times a day from when it starts weaning until the age of 6 months. From the age of 6 months, Cairn Terriers should feed on two meals a day for the rest of their lives with snacks and treats in between. However, owners should watch out for calorie consumption and weight level to avoid overfeeding their pets.
Cairn Terriers may feed on dry food, wet food, home made, or a raw diet depending on the budget and time of the pet parent. Regardless of the food type, a parent should ensure that the dog feeds on a balanced diet to maintain a good health eventually allowing it to develop cognitively and physically. If the Cairn parent decide to feed the dog the commercial dry or wet food, he or she should ensure the first three ingredients are proteins from a known source.
The commercial pet food should neither contain preservatives, chemicals, additives, meat by-products, generic meat products, nor fillers. The same goes to the snacks. Dry or wet food should also be formulated for small-sized puppies, adults, and seniors depending on the age of your Cairn Terrier. Check the physique of your dog to know whether it is overweight or underweight.
If you can see the ribs, chances are the dog is underweight. Although, if the ribs are not visible but can be felt without pressing hard, the pet has an ideal weight. If the ribs can’t be felt, the dog is overweight and should be exercised. After getting a puppy from a breeder, the owner is likely to switch to another quality food. They should gradually do this over a period of four weeks by mixing both old food and new food. As the weeks progresses, the amount of old food reduces as the new food increases until the Cairn Terrier is only feeding on new food during the fourth week.
Cairn Terrier Colors
A Cairn Terrier may have any coat color except white. Some of the coat colors that Cairn Terriers have include cream, wheaten, cream, red, gray, brindled, or sandy.
Cairn Terrier Allergies
Cairn Terries are predisposed to various forms of allergies as discussed below:
Food allergies – Although rare, a Cairn Terrier may suffer from a true food allergy that causes an immune response. It is normally accompanied with a wide range of symptoms varying from skin issues such as hives, hot spots, sores, crusting lesions, pruritus, and dermatitis as well as gastrointestinal stress such as vomiting and diarrhea, weight loss, and bloating.
Skin Allergies – A Cairn Terrier is susceptible to skin allergies due to food, contact, and environmental allergies that manifest on the skin.
Contact allergies – This inflammation happens when the skin of the Cairn comes in contact with the allergen. Some of the contact allergens that affect Cairn Terriers include plastics, grooming products, bed linens, latex, carpet cleaning detergents, and medications. These allergens cause itchiness on the feet, around the muzzle, and the paws.
Environmental allergies – Some of the environmental allergies that affect the Cairn Terriers include fleas, mites, grass, pollen, dust and dust mites, trees, ragweed, and house molds. Fleas cause flea allergy dermatitis that normally affect the back legs and underneath the tail. Symptoms of environmental allergens include nasal discharge, congestion, sneezing, and itchiness on various body parts including paws, ears, face, around the eyes, muzzle, groin, underarms, sides, and between the toes.
Cairn Terrier Ears | Floppy Ears
A Cairn Terrier has small, erect, and pointed ears that are set wide apart on the side of the head. However, Cairn puppies are born with floppy ears that become pointy as the dog matures.
Cairn Terrier Head
The head of a Cairn Terrier is broad in proportion to length with a decided stop.
Cairn Terrier Tail
A Cairn Terrier has a well-furnished tail that is not feathery. The tail is carried gaily but does not curl over the back.
Cairn Terrier Teeth
At birth, Cairn Terriers puppies are born with no teeth. However, the deciduous teeth starts growing in from the age age of 2 to 3 weeks until it has a total of 28 milk teeth between the age of 6 to 8 weeks. From the age of 12 weeks, the dog starts loosing its milk teeth as the permanent teeth erupts. Between the age of 6 to 8 months, a Cairn Terrier should have a total of 42 adult teeth.
Are Cairn Terriers Smart
Yes. Cairn Terriers are smart dogs that are considered highly trainable.
Are Cairn Terriers Aggressive
No. A well socialized Cairn Terrier is friendly, sociable, loyal, and affectionate. However, poorly socialized Cairn Terriers may exhibit aggressive traits due to fear.
Are Cairn Terriers Good Dogs
Yes. Cairn Terriers are affectionate, alert, loving, curious, and intelligent dogs.
Are Cairn Terriers Cuddly
Yes. A Cairn Terrier is an affectionate dog that is also cuddly.
Cairn Terriers Quick Facts
- Brindled colored Cairn Terriers frequently change colors throughout their lives. It is not unheard of for a brindled Cairn to become more progressively silver or black as it ages.
- They look similar to the Norwich Terrier.
- Cairn Terriers are long-lived dogs that may have a lifespan of 17 years.
