Cairn Terrier

The Cairn is an attempt to preserve in typical form the old-time working terrier of the Isle of Skye. Scotland's terriers had been grouped together as Scotch Terriers until 1873, when they were separated into two classifications-Dandie Dinmont Terriers and Skye Terriers. The breeds we now know as the Scottish Terrier, the West Highland White Terrier and the Cairn Terrier were included in classes for the Skye Terriers. The Scottish, West Highland and Cairn had developed from the same stock, originating in the islands and highlands of western Scotland. The three were often found in the same litter, distinguished only by their color.

The Cairn Terrier standard in England permitted white as a color until 1923. The interbreeding of Cairns and West Highland White Terriers had occurred in both England and the United States. The AKC Admitted the Cairn Terrier into registration in 1913. In 1917, the AKC barred any Cairn from registration if it was a product of breeding the Cairn with the West Highland White Terrier.

The ancestors of today's Cairn Terrier earned their keep routing vermin from the rock piles (called cairns) commonly found on Scottish farmland. These early terriers were highly prized and bred for their working ability, not appearance. The Cairn remained the closest to the original small working terrier, bolting the fox, otter and weasel, sharing the meager fare of the crofter's household.

Males should be 10 inches tall and weigh 14 pounds, females 9 and a half inches tall and weigh 13 pounds. The dogs should be in proper height for those weights. Their coats are hard and weather-resistant. They have a double coat, with profuse harsh outer coat and short, soft, furry undercoat. Their color can be any color other than white.

Most Cairns tend to be very friendly, even with "friendly" strangers. A "friendly" stranger is someone that you know and your dog hasn't meant yet- they sense that you are at ease with the person, therefore they will be more at ease. Now if a stranger was trying to break into your home, the Cairn would not be so happy to see them and would alert you.

Cairns typically do well with other animals, if they were raised with them. If you bring a kitten into your home with your four year old Cairn Terrier, you may have problems- but if you bring your Cairn puppy home to a cat/kitten, most likely they'll be best buddies. They will still chase if the cat/kitten runs- but if raised with them it will all end with the chase.

Many Cairn Terriers have problems with allergies. The main cause for the allergic reactions is the food the dogs are fed. Stay away from the dog foods that can be purchased at grocery stores- they tend to consist of mostly corn, and corn is a major allergy with dogs. Even if a dog has eaten a certain type of food his entire life, he can develop an allergy to an ingredient in the food and it can cause problems for him. Some also have seasonal type allergies where they begin to scratch at themselves or chew on their feet and legs certain times of the year. It's best to have allergy tests done on your dog so that you know the exact cause and you can give the dog allergy medication to help ease his suffering during allergy season.

Health issues that Cairn Terriers are prone to are cataracts, craniomandibular osteopathy, cryptorchidism, globoid cell leukodystrophy, thyroid conditions, legg-perthes, patella luxation, progressive retinal atrophy, and epilepsy.