Over 200 years ago, on the ancient Isle of Skye and in the Scottish Highlands, the ancestors of today's Cairn terrier earned their keep routing vermin from the rock piles (called cairns) commonly found on Scottish farmland.

The Cairn terrier in America today is a smart, confident little dog, independent but friendly with everyone he meets. He can adjust happily in an apartment, suburbs, or on a farm.

When I am asked to describe the breed, I tell people that the Cairn terrier can be somewhat like a toddler. If you don’t mind supervising your dog, with constant reinforcement, and love the funny antics of a puppy well into their teen years ,you may have found the breed for you.

It’s been my experience that a cairn is much easier to train in short small sessions .Your cairn will become distracted very quickly. Training classes are a must, but keep them short, positive and fun. Since each one has its own distinct personality, you have to find out what your cairn likes and will best respond to you while you are training it. Some are food motivated while others will like to play with a squeaker or ball. Don’t ever give up on your little pal and think it is a waste of time when you see the more obedient dogs in the class doing everything that is asked of them. Classes are a great way to socialize your cairn. If your dog just learns to behave with other dogs, and new surroundings in a puppy class you have come out a winner. I can’t stress it enough .... introduce your pups to various circumstances. It will only make him/her a better well rounded pet. It is very important to do your research. Find a happy well socialized puppy from a good breeder . The puppy years are so important in determining how your Cairn will be for the rest of its life.

Again,no two Cairns are truly alike; One of my cairns may just be content to sit on my lap or at my feet while another will want to play ball. I have found they are very good at keeping themselves entertained. I have one who will take the ball to the top of the stairs and throw it down, go down and get it, and back up the stairs he goes to start the fun all over again.

The breed can be very prey driven. A safe suitable fenced yard or kennel area is a must. My cairns like very much to chase and catch squirrels, chipmunks, and field mice. They are also very good diggers so supervision is a must. They will have no trouble digging to find out what is on the other side of the fence if they desire. Digging is not a bad behavior for a cairn it is part of their heritage. If your cairn detects a worm or mole or something smells good under the ground, or if they just want a nice cool spot to lay in your nicely manicured yard, mark my words….. Your yard will be disturbed. I have even seen my cairns bark and paw at the ground, and when I checked to see what all the fuss was about, I discovered that it was just a tiny ant or a fly. I never punish my dogs for digging. I just go around and fill in holes.

Our cairns have really seemed to love children. They can be somewhat overwhelming to little ones so supervision is a must. They are physically very tough, and forgive or overlook mishaps but will still need time away from even the best behaved children. I would highly recommend a crate or a place where your dog can go away and have a space to call their own. Used properly, a crate ensures the puppy's safety (becomes their den) and facilitates house training as well.

The Cairn terrier is a basically healthy dog, and frequently lives into the teen years. To contribute to his longevity and health a Cairn should be kept trim and active. His diet should consist of a premium brand of dry dog food. Please no "generic" dog food. Since cairns can be prone to become overweight, the amount of dog food must be carefully monitored. Most adult dogs maintain their weight on 1/2 to 2/3 cup of quality food a day. Dog treats should be kept to a minimum.

Cairn Terriers should always be hand stripped. This technique helps to remove the dead hair so that the new healthy coat can come in without any trouble. Using scissors or shears can ruin the dog's rugged outer coat after one grooming. Hand stripping involves pulling the old dead hair out by the roots. This does not harm the dog in any way. Most Cairns fuss more about having to stay still on the grooming table more than pulling out the hair itself. Removing the dead hair in this manner allows new growth to come in. This new growth helps protect the dog from water and dirt. Your breeder can help you with this process.

In conclusion…..We have found the Cairn Terrier to be a great dog that fits perfectly into our lifestyle. They may not be the breed for everyone. I recommend before you look into bringing a dog into your home  that you seriously consider a few points. What was the breed bred to do? Dont look at just the appearance you desire alone. Ask yourself..... Am I able financially able to care for a dog for its lifetime at this time (grooming, boarding, vet visits, premium dog food)?Am I willing to pay for a dog that has a better start from a good breeder? Do I have the time and money to  possibly put up a fence or kennel for the safety of my pet. Am I home enough and do I really have time to train and socialize a puppy? Please take your time in choosing your next pet.

Robin Balcerak