How to Identify a Cairn Terrier Dog

The Cairn Terrier is a native of Scotland’s Western Highlands and has been a known breed since 1500 AD. The breed takes its name from large piles of stone found throughout Scotland, which were believed to have been used to mark graves, the border between two territories or clan holdings, or sites of historic significance. This breed of terrier was a farm dog that went after small vermin that would raid the farm’s stores. Most of these vermin made their permanent nests in cairns, and the dog would inevitably run its prey to ground at these stone markers--hence the name. Though used for such purposes for centuries, the Cairn Terrier is now primarily a companion dog. You might remember that the dog Toto from the film ‘The Wizard of Oz” was a Cairn Terrier. The directors of the film chose that breed because it learns tricks easily and has a very warm, happy and curious personality. Here is a guide on how to identify a Cairn Terrier.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Begin by judging the dog’s size, weight and general body type. The dog should be no more than 10" high at the shoulder and rather long-bodied at 14" from chest to hindquarters. The tail should be thick and no more than 1/3 as long as the dog. It should be thick, covered with short bristles and almost always pointing directly upward.

2. Look at the dog’s fur. It should have a long and shaggy outercoat, as well as a short and fine undercoat. The fur will stick out like spikes across much of the body, barring the back, sides and tail. The coat may be colored red, brindle, grey, black or sand. Dark points on the ears, eyes and muzzle are common but not mandatory.

3. Examine the dog’s head. The skull should be very wide, with almost perfectly triangular ears sticking up diagonally from the sides. It should have very bushy eyebrows, as well as a mustache of long fur running out to the sides of the thick muzzle. The eyes should be set deeply in the skull and hazel in hue. If the dog matches this description, you’re looking at a Cairn Terrier.

Tips & Warnings

• This breed is very lovable and is happy to live with other animals and small children. It is a very patient breed that is not at all aggressive toward humans. Cairns can be sensitive and should be treated firmly (though never harshly) to ensure they are trained properly. Failure to train them properly will often result in excessive barking and disobedience.
• The Cairn Terrier likes to dig, just like any other terrier. The animal should not be left outdoors unfenced, even if it is tied up. This is a big dog in a little dog's body, and will pick fights with much larger dogs if it feels its territory is being invaded. Cairns are also too stubborn to concede defeat to a larger dog during a fight, so a fight that is not broken up between a Cairn Terrier and another larger dog will always end with horrendous injury to the terrier.

Resources

• Site Listing Reliable Cairn Terrier Breeders