The release of the Wizard of Oz in 1939 launched Toto (a Cairn Terrier) into mainstream consciousness. Cairn Terriers, the loveable yet compact Scottish Imports are falling out of favor with dog enthusiasts. They have slipped from number fifty to number eighty in the last ten years according to AKC registrations. Their almost identical counterpart, the West Highland Terrier, is actually climbing the rankings.
Origins
Known as one of Scotland’s foremost working dogs, the Cairn Terrier comes from the Isle of Skye. Working the coast, these dogs were trained and bred to dig out small mammals from the crevices of stone piles, known as Cairns. The AKC first recognized the Cairn Terrier in 1913. 1988 was the only year a Cairn Terrier won the Terrier Group and competed for Best in Show at the Westminster Dog Show.
Special Perks
Lively and animated are what makes these little dogs so special. Their compact body houses a mountain of love and loyalty to their family. Their high energy level makes them very adept at sports. Agility, flyball and earthdog trials. Highly intelligent makes them easily trainable, if the trainer has the right stuff. A Cairn will excel with someone who is their intellectual equal, but quickly dismiss a wishy washy owner.
Loveable Quirks
Since it is their genetic make up, the Cairn Terrier do love to chase furry little animals. Including, squirrels, foxes and cats. They may not bother an indoor cat, as long as they’re aware it is a member of the pack. Outside, in their yard, it is all bets off. They have also been labeled independent (read: stubborn) They are incredibly energetic and need a fair amount of exercise, by means of a daily walk and some one on one play time like fetch.
Health
The Cairn Terrier is a healthy, hearty breed with little genetic fault. They are prone to ear infections, hypothyroidism, glaucoma and Portosystemic Liver Shunt. A congenital abnormality; which blood vessels allow blood to bypass the liver. The liver does not clean the blood like it is supposed to. Surgery may correct the issue.
Interesting facts
Although the Cairn Terrier is slipping in the polls their almost identical counterpart is rising in ratings and becoming more popular. The only thing different between the two is the color of their hair. Cairn’s come in varying shades of browns (Sandy to chocolate) to all black and some are a fair mix of all shades. The West Highland Terrier was bred to be pure white. This was to differentiate the dog from the cairns they were evacuating.
