Gypsy Camp Blog

For over 200 years, the Scottish Highlands called the Isle of Skye has been known to keep some little breeds of terriers that are superb hunters and small game catchers. Some of these breeds are the West Highland White terrier and Skye terrier, which are both known around the world today as adorable and dependable pets. From these breeds sprang the Cairn Terrier, which is the last of the Scottish Highlands terriers to be introduced to the kennel clubs.

The Cairn terrier remains as one of the oldest working breeds in Scotland. Decades back, this breed has been used as vermin catcher and would often vigorously dig out burrows underneath big rock piles, a place where rodents and other pests live in, in order to flush out pests. The rock piles are called cairn in Scotland and this is what the Cairn Terrier was named after.

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.

One amusing fact about the Cairn is that you can never predict its exact coat color during puppyhood because it tends to change shades all throughout adulthood. Some colors tend to become lighter and there are some colors that become darker, some even becoming pure black. White colored Cairns are not permitted by the American Kennel Club anymore but instead, they are registered as West Highland White Terriers.

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 has a superb intelligence that is why it can be trained to do tasks and commands. However, this breed is also known to have an independent and stubborn spirit that’s why trainings may take a while before fully accomplished. Take note, however, that even though the Cairn has a mischievous side to it, positive and gentle reinforcements should only be done in order to avoid hurting the feelings of this tiny lovable creature.

Today, the Cairn terrier can often be seen living amongst humans in small apartments or big households. It adapts well with children that’s why many families opt for it as a family pet. It does not take too much to groom this dog as well for it only needs its coat to be hand stripped in order to keep it in shaggy style and keep the dead hair away at the same time.

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