What Is a Cairn Terrier?

Bred in the Scottish highlands, cairn terriers began as a scrappy working breed that according to "The Terrier Handbook" author Kerry Kern, "earned a reputation for steadfastness against any obstacle." Compact and energetic, they have since attracted a devoted following that praises their intelligence, friendliness and loyalty to owners who provide lots of attention and physical exercise. Generally healthy and long-lived, the breed does suffer from several genetic diseases.

  1. Origins of the Breed

    • Closely related to other Scottish terrier breeds, cairn terriers originate on the Isle of Skye in the Hebrides, just off Scotland's western coast. The name refers to the purpose for which their owners bred them. On Scottish farms, rock piles called cairns often provided shelter to foxes, badgers, weasels and other pests and destroyers of livestock. Cairn terriers tracked these predators into their rocky hiding places and either forced them out into the open or kept them at bay until human companions could destroy the cornered animals.

    Physical Appearance

    • American Kennel Club breed standards describe a small dog, roughly 10 inches at the shoulder and weighing about 14 pounds. Cairn terriers have a shaggy outer coat in a wide range of colors, along with softer underfur, which probably served them well in the windy and rainy climate of the Hebrides. According to the Cairn Terrier Club of America, "the breed still has very large teeth, large feet with thick pads and strong nails (the better to dig with!), [and] strong, muscular shoulders and rears."

    Temperament

    • Owners and fanciers of cairn terriers tend to reach for certain adjectives that describe active, protective, affectionate and somewhat excitable dogs. They apparently thrive in busy homes and get along well with children. Experts advise owners to get obedience training for cairn terriers to channel their energy away from destructive behaviors. Liz Palika also warns owners to respect their dogs' instincts and keep them leashed or behind fences, noting that "if your terrier takes off after a small animal, all the calling in the world will not bring him back."

    Health and Genetic Diseases

    • Despite their reputation for hardiness and an average life-span of 15 years, cairn terriers do face several health issues. Several eye problems affect the breed, including cataracts, corneal dystrophy and progressive retinal atrophy, and they also show susceptibility to hip dysplasia and hypothyroidism.

      Some cairn terriers carry the genes for globoid cell leukodystrophy or Krabbe disease, an incurable condition that causes tremors and neurological problems in puppies with two recessive genes and normally kills them within six months of onset. Genetic testing can confirm the presence of the GCL gene so that breeders can prevent carriers from reproducing and passing along the defect.