Cairn Terrier
Cairn Terrier is best known as Toto from the Wizard of OZ. If you watch the original film, she is the sweetest and most attentive little dog!
They are sensible, friendly and intelligent small dogs. They are curious and quick learners. They are terriers so they will carry some of the usual lively traits, but they are an excellent choice for a small, no-messy family pet.
Cairn terriers, do not need as much exercise as other terriers but will still need a long walk daily and plenty of endless fetch games to keep them happy. They are great with children and run around with them all day in the garden. They are very attached to their families, so they hate being left and are likely to suffer from separation anxiety. They would not be suitable for people working full time.
They are usually good with strangers but perhaps a little un-trusting so that good socialisation will help them. They are excellent watchdogs; you will also be informed of people at the door or anything of interest outside. They may be a little barky, so you might get complaints if you live in a close neighbourhood. Remembered, a bored terrier will quickly become a destructive terrier.
Cairn terriers should be fine with other dogs and cats if brought up with them. They are terriers, so the instinctive need to chase neighbours’ cats and small animals is probably too strong to control.
They are intelligent and relatively easy to train. Still, they are stubborn and independent, so you might want to discover what their motivation reward is early on to make the best progress. They prefer fun and playful training rather than being harsh or forceful.
Cairn Terrier Dog Stats
Cairn Terriers were one of the original breeds of Scotland, originating in the Highlands and the West Coast Islands. The Cairn has been bred since time immemorial for its ability to go to earth and claw its way through piles of rocks (cairns) to get to the vermin hiding in these areas.
- Size – 28cm –30cm
- Weight – 6kg – 7kg
- They live for 12-15 years
