The Isle of Skye located in Scotland has been known to keep little hunting dog breeds for as long as 200 years. Some of these breeds are currently famous among canine enthusiasts by the names of Skye Terrier and West Highland Terriers. From these breeds, another small hunting terrier comes to exist and it is known around the world as the Cairn terrier, which is also the last of the Scottish Highlands terriers to be introduced to the kennel clubs.
The Cairn Terrier is being considered as one of the earliest working dogs in Scotland. It was primarily used as a ratter and vermin catcher and it often enthusiastically hunts prey that hide beneath the huge rock piles on the ground. In Scotland, these rock piles are called cairns and this is where the little ratter Cairn Terrier got its name.
In a glance, the Cairn terrier looks rugged and alert because of its shaggy coat and glistening intelligent eyes. Its standard size should range only from 14 to 18 pounds in weight and 10 to 13 inches in height but due to some irresponsible breeding, there are Cairns today that come out smaller or bigger than the standard size. The little size of the Cairns makes them suitable as pets because owners can just place them easily on the laps and at the same time they can make good vermin hunters inside the house.
The Cairn terrier has a double coat and its outer coat appears dense and shaggy while its inner coat is smooth and less messy. This dense coat also serves as a protection for the Cairn against harsh weathers of the region. The coat colors of the Cairn are often seen in either red, wheaten, gray and cream; and some are in brindles of black, white, and black and tan.
Interestingly, the coat color of a Cairn can never really be predicted during its early stages because the coat colors tend to change infinitely over the whole span of the dogs life. There are coat colors that become lighter while there are some colors that become darker, some even to a point of being pure black. If there is a pure white-colored Cairn, the American Kennel Club lists this type as a West Highland White terrier.
Since then until today, the Cairn terrier is an avid digger and has a strong hunting instinct. You can often catch this breed trying to trap rodents and rats, and sometimes it digs on the dirt to either flush out a real or imaginary prey. Many decades ago, the Cairn is (was not is) considered as a dependable working dog but today, it is more often considered as a loyal and adorable house pet.
The Cairn terrier should not be taken lightly because it possesses an intelligence and independence that makes it an incredible hunter. However, it also possesses a stubborn streak that’s why training may not be easy at times. This pet does not do well with harsh criticisms therefore it goes to say that in training this breed, positive reinforcements should be used.
Nowadays, the Cairn terriers are seen living in apartments or big houses as a household pet more than a working dog. This breed also goes well with children that’s why many families like to take them in. Grooming the Cairn also takes little work as it only needs hand stripping in order to keep its hair in a clean and shaggy style.
