Live Life Team
The Cairn terrier dates back to the 16th century and originated in Scotland. A cairn is a pile of stones used to mark out borders and graves. The name is derived from this as the occupation of this dog was to ensure that these stones were free of rodents and small animals. After many centuries working in this manner, today the Cairn terrier is a popular pet. They can also be found hunting and participating in obedience trials and performing tricks,
The Cairn terrier is a small dog whose face resembles that of a fox. It is a bold and hardy breed with a long shaggy coat. Like many breeds it also has a soft undercoat, which provides it with extra warmth and protection. The coat can be found is several colours, which are brindle, red, white, black and gray. The ears, eyes and muzzle area will typically be darker. The coat colour can change a lot over the first years of life and often it is difficult to be sure which colour the adult dog will be. Despite a shaggy and natural appearance, the coat needs a great deal of care. Without this it can easily become heavily matted. Grooming is necessary several times each week and after bathing the coat should be thoroughly brushed whilst drying. The Cairn terrier does not shed very much hair naturally and the hair around the ears and eyes should be trimmed.
The body of the Cairn terrier is compact and its head is wide. The excess of hair on the top of the head forms a topknot and the pointed ears are held erect. It carries its tail high and, like the head, this is very hairy.
This is a very busy and active breed. Full of fun and mischief, they make good and patient family pets. They mix well with children and can easily be trained to perform tricks. The Cairn terrier is a sensitive dog and, whilst the owner does need to establish him or herself as the leader, gentle training and handling are all that is needed. However, without any training or discipline, problem behaviours can emerge. The dog may become destructive or may bark excessively. Other issues could include growling, biting and guarding behaviours. They are however easily trained so it is easy to prevent these problems occurring.
The Cairn terrier is a very healthy breed. They have an average life expectancy of around 12 to 15 years. They are rarely susceptible to a wide range of ailments that commonly afflict dogs. Their main health issue is a tendency to gain excess amounts of weight. Diet and treats should be strictly controlled in order to prevent this. They are also especially sensitive and often allergic to fleabites so extra care should be taken to avoid infestation. They do need plentiful exercise to keep them both happy and healthy. As long as they are provided with this, they can easily adapt to smaller living spaces and are not restricted to owners with gardens.
