Cairn Terrier Breed Standard
The immediate impression should be that of a small, shaggy, alert dog, head, tail and ears up, eyes shining with intelligence, poised and ready for anything.
The Cairn comes in a variety of colors except for white. All shades are attractive, and you will love your Cairn whatever color he turns out to be. It can be difficult if not impossible to predict adult color based on the puppy coat. Color changes in many Cairns continue for years, most brindles eventually becoming very dark, bordering on black. Some wheatens and reds also darken, while others may remain light.
A Cairn terrier is truly a big dog in a small package. Cairns are small enough to carry easily and to fit comfortably on your lap, but tough enough to enjoy romping with children.
No two Cairns are truly alike; each has distinct personality and character differences. Cairns are highly social but remain somewhat independent. A typical puppy may sit on your lap for a few moments, but will resist being held for long, wriggling impatiently to get down and explore. Their intelligence makes them curious and quick to learn. They are surprisingly sensitive, and harsh punishment is not necessary or desirable. However, a Cairn must know from the start that someone else is in charge of the pack. If he has any question who is the leader, he’ll do his best to run the house himself. Firm, loving and consistent training is the key to a good relationship with your Cairn Terrier.
Cairns have an inborn affinity for children. They are physically tough, and forgive or overlook mishaps and stepped-on feet with characteristic generosity of spirit. They should never be teased or mistreated by children, and close supervision of small children is essential. Cairns need time away from even the best-behaved children and should be provided with a place where they can rest undisturbed until they are ready to play again. For puppies, a kennel or crate is highly recommended. Used properly, a crate ensures the puppy’s safety and facilitates housetraining as well. Cairns thrive on attention and training. Without training, he will be bored and possibly destructive, barking to help relieve the tedium. There is very little a Cairn cannot learn if his owner takes the time to teach him. Because Cairns are highly intelligent, independent thinkers, training sessions should be fun and challenging, not overly repetitious.
Cairns are not suited to living outside. They are far more rewarding pets when they live in close contact with the family. The safest arrangement is a securely fenced yard and supervision when he is in it. If there is no fenced yard, the Cairn MUST be exercised on a leash, as it is impossible to train a Cairn to resist the urge to chase squirrels, cats, rabbits, other dogs, etc. Remember, Cairns were bred to hunt!
Walking is excellent exercise for Cairns and their owners. A brisk walk daily, on leash, is ideal. From the Cairn’s point of view, the longer the walk the better. Encourage your puppy’s natural ball playing talents, and you’ll have the perfect indoor exercise when the weather prohibits walking.
