Cairn Terrier

The Cairn Terrier is a sharp and rather nosey little dog that loves to play. They always want to know what their owners are doing.

These small dogs are friendly, but beware that they are quick to defend themselves if they feel threatened. It is a sensible, feisty and confident dog.

Cairn Terrier Facts

Exercise Requirements:      

Good with Children:             

Easy to Train:                        

Good Watchdog:                    

Low Shedding:                       

Good with Other Pets:         

Vital Statistics

Size: 28 – 31 cm (11 – 12 in)

Weight: 6 – 7.5 kg (13 – 16.5 lb)

Coat: Ample, heavy outer coat with short soft under coat

Colour: Cream, wheaten, red, grey or nearly black

Lifespan: 14 – 15 years

Special Characteristics

This terrier is described as alert, curious, courageous, tenacious, sensible, confident, feisty and at times stubborn.

Exercise Requirements

These little dogs will be active and busy at home and outside when out and about on walks. They are classed as a dog that requires a medium amount of exercise.

Attitude Towards:

Owners: Dedicated, warm and loving towards their owners.

Children: Are really good around children especially when raised with them.

Other Pets: These dogs love to chase and have a high prey drive. Therefore they are not great around small animals including cats, unless they have been raised with them.

Strangers: No problems around strangers.

Other Unfamiliar Dogs: Good around other dogs, even more so if well socialised from an early age.

What to Watch Out For

These dogs have been known to get possessive over toys and food. They do need regular exercise and if they do not get it they have been know to do some digging.

These dogs do make great little watchdogs, but this could pose a problem. They do have a tendency to bark excessively.

Health Risks

Quite a few things to take note of here; hip problems, patellar luxation, progressive retinal atrophy, blood disorders, kidney problems and Legg-Calve-Perthes.

Ideal Owner

The perfect owner of the Cairn Terrier needs to be calm and forgiving that either has no neighbours or has tolerant neighbours due to excessive barking.

You are going to have to have lots of time available for play and exercise otherwise the dog will get bored and it could lead to other problems.

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