The name “Cairn Terrier” was a compromise suggestion when the breed was brought to official shows in the United Kingdom in 1909, initially under the name “Short-haired Skye terrier”. This name was not accepted by the Kennel Club when faced with opposition from breeders of the Skye Terrier. The alternative name Cairn Terrier was adopted.
Cairn terriers originated in the Scottish Highlands and the Isle of Skye,[1] initially grouped in the "Skye Terrier" class alongside the Scottish and West Highland White Terriers. From the early 1900s, the three were bred separately.
The Kennel Club of the United Kingdom gave the Cairn Terrier a separate register in 1912; the first year of recognition, 134 were registered, and the breed was given Championship status.[2]
Terry was a Cairn Terrier actor who played Toto in the Wizard of Oz.
A brindle Cairn TerrierA red/wheaten Cairn TerrierCairn Terrier
The Cairn Terrier has a harsh, weather-resistant outer coat that can be black, cream, wheaten, red, sandy, gray, or brindled. Pure black, black and tan, and white are not permitted by many kennel clubs. While registration of white Cairns was once permitted, after 1917, the American Kennel Club required them to be registered as West Highland White Terriers. A notable characteristic of Cairns is that brindled Cairns frequently change colour throughout their lifetimes. It is not uncommon for a brindled Cairn to become progressively more black or silver as it ages. The Cairn is double-coated, with a soft, dense undercoat and a harsh outer coat. A well-groomed Cairn has a rough-and-ready appearance, free of artifice. The Cairn Terrier was registered into the American Kennel Club in 1903.
A nine-week-old Cairn Terrier with brindle coat
Cairn Terriers tend to look similar to Norwich Terriers, but with some differences (for example the shaggy fur). The outer layer of fur is shaggy, but they have a soft, downy undercoat. The ideal weight is 4.5-7.3 kg (10-16 lb), and the height 9–13 in (23–33 cm).
A 2015 French study found a life expectancy of 13.42 years.[3] A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 14 years for the breed compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 for crossbreeds.[4]
Some of the more common hereditary health problems found in the Cairn are:[5][6]
