Cairn Terriers
Remember The Famous Cairn "Toto" ?

The Cairn Terriers originated centuries ago in the highlands and islands of Scotland and were formerly known as the Short-Haired Skye Terrier. They are counted among the same stock that contributed to the development of the Scottish and West Highland White terriers.

Light and Dark Cairn Terriers in the grass

Nimbu and Pongo, Courtesy Ketterechts

The Cairn is a working dog and his skills are used to evict small animals and vermin from openings in rocky landmarks known as cairns - hence his name.

Today, he is a mostly a popular companion and frequent dog show participant, although in Scotland he is also still used for working.

Jaunty and confident, he can best be described as one of the most cute and adorable of the terrier dog breeds.

Characteristics of Cairn Terriers

This is a very lively little dog with an independent streak. He is intelligent and easy to train if you are as consistent as your dog is tenacious.

He likes having a job to do - so you might try teaching him to sniff out his toys and bring them back to the toy box, for example.

He will make a good watchdog, possessing inherent traits of loyalty and fearlessness.

He has the strong terrier drive to chase and dig, so make sure your property is secure around the boundaries to close off any possible escape routes.

If you value your flower beds, keep a close eye on them too!

cream color cairn terrier standing outside

Physical Stats

Height: 9-12 inches
Weight: 13-16 lbs.
Color variations: Any color except white. Often seen in Cream, Wheaten, Red and different shades of Gray.

Cairn Terriers are double-coated with a dense hard outer coat and a furry undercoat. To avoid matting, daily brushing is needed. And, to retain their Cairnish good looks, twice-yearly stripping of the coat should be done.

Regular grooming will keep the Cairn clean. Cairn dogs are prone to skin problems and bathing tends to damage their coat and cause dry skin, so should only be done when absolutely necessary. Thorough grooming is the key to a beautiful appearance.

I, Toto: The Autobiography of Terry,
the Dog who was Toto

A fascinating account of this famous Cairn and her tragic beginnings, film career (a dozen movies, including the especially notable one with Judy Garland), and her happy retirement in southern California. Also, Toto offers the inside scoop on the making of The Wizard of Oz.

Activity Level of Cairns

Cairn Terriers are very active inside the home. They are the type of dog that likes to know what's going on and will follow you around to make sure they don't miss anything!

Getting a Cairn out for walks is still important for their mental as well as physical well-being. A couple of twenty minute walks daily should be adequate to meet their needs,

Ideal Living Space

Not fussy about space and can do well in either apartment or house, but it's a good idea for the sake of close neighbors, not to leave them alone for very long as they can be barkers.

A small yard is nice to have for days when walks are not possible, and at other times to play freely and burn off some energy.

The Cairn With Children?

Generally considered very good with children, Cairn Terriers are sturdy, love to play games and have an instinct to chase.

As with any dog play activities involving children, it is always best to have adult supervision, no matter what the dog's reputation.

Senior or Less Active Families?

A naturally loyal and enjoyable companion dog for seniors or the more sedentary, bearing in mind that grooming and regular activity is needed.

Cairn TerriersRemember The Famous Cairn "Toto" ?