Of the thirty-three terrier breeds (most of whom were first used for hunting vermin and therefore now have an innately spirited and aggressive character with a tendency to chase moving creatures and objects), the Cairn Terrier is one of the toughest yet most sociable breeds of the group. It is also one of the oldest.
On the stone cairns on the farms in the highlands of Scotland , the Cairn Terrier began its life and livelihood»hunting and killing rats that threatened the grains and gardens. This was in the 1500»s. Developed with short hair and short legs, the Cairn Terrier «s breeders had no eye toward the animal»s looks, only toward it»s tenacity, its agility, and its spunk»to accompany the farmers on the daily rounds and chase and destroy vermin.
This game breed with a get-up-and-go is still, 500 years later, what many call the «best little pal in the world» for accompaniment. But more for humans and no longer for humans seeking to get rid of rats and mice. And more for humans than other dogs, as the Cairn Terrier does exceptional well with the companionship of people but can get a bit aggressive around creatures of its kind, though (as you might know already) Toto, in the Wizard of Oz, seemed to snipe at bad old witches, too. Yes, the dog playing Toto in the film is a Cairn.
And like Toto, representative in many ways, the Cairn terrier breed is energetic enough that it will take off if unattended, will often engage in any opportunity that requires movement, and therefore will do well if exercised fairly often. Never mind that it will be unable to keep up. Despite its short legs and overall height of only ten inches and its healthy weight of around fourteen pounds, this breed has relatively large feet, strong claws (once for digging up molehills, now for digging in to run), exceptionally strong and agile legs and muscular shoulders. As well, its coat is what the experts call «weather resistant,» so this pup can endure much.
The Cairn Terrier breed, though it is resilient, though it is long and shaggy-haired, and though it does not shed, does need some regular grooming: besides a bi-weekly slicker brushing, hand stripping»actually pulling out dead hair--should be done once or twice a year. And because the Cairn is susceptible to flea allergies (about the only thing it might commonly suffer from), it is important to take a flea prevention measures.
Ideally, the Cairn Terrier also needs to be around people as much as possible, as it is no longer the outside dog it once was, and needs a lot of attention. So be sure not to leave it alone and go off to a 12 hour job. If you do, as notorious as chewers as they are strong diggers, your home will not be the same. Especially if it finds no rats to chase.
