Cairn Terrier

Are you thinking of getting a Cairn Terrier for a pet? Before you run out a get a Cairn Terrier there is a few things you need to be aware of. Why? Well, knowing the right information about you potential pet will help you in the long run. Before you get a Cairn Terrier pet dog, you need to be sure that you know what you are getting yourself into. You need to know how to take proper care of your dog and you also need to know what to expect when you are getting a Cairn Terrier.


Originally bred in the Scottish highlands, the Cairn terrier is the smallest of all terrier breeds. However, you should not let the size of the dog deceive you. The Cairn terrier was first bred for its working ability. You know what this means? This means the Cairn Terrier has lots of energy.

A Cairn terrier pet dog has a lot of energy to spare. They can gain a lot from taking brisk walks daily. However, you should know that they do best when they have a fenced-in yard to play in. This way, they get more room when they play. Their high energy also means that they aren’t really suitable for apartment or condo living. If you live in such places, then having a Cairn terrier pet dog is not for you.

Their energy may also put them in danger. For this reason, you need to make sure that a Cairn Terrier pet dog stays in one area. Their natural instincts tell them to dig and run and these activities may lead to injury.

There are, however, many positive things that can be said about a Cairn Terrier’s energy. For one thing it makes playing with the dog lots of fun. Cairn Terriers can play for hours on end. Another positive of the Cairn Terrier's immense energy is the fact that this energy can be channeled into good purposes. A Cairn Terrier dog is naturally inquisitive and is always willing to participate in a new adventure. This means that a Cairn Terrier can be easily taught to do tricks. They learn tricks very fast and thrive in obedience training.

You need to make sure that your Cairn Terrier dog is trained properly since untrained ones have a tendency to be destructive, especially when they are bored.

Let us talk about the proper care for your Cairn Terrier pet dog. One thing you do not need to worry about is its coat. The Cairn terrier pet dog was not bred for the beauty of its coat. The coat of a Cairn terrier pet dog is weather resistant and sheds little to no fur. Because of this, it can make a great indoor dog.

Since they are the smallest of the terrier breeds Cairn Terriers are vulnuerable to some dieases. Care must be taken when feeding your Cairn Terrier as it can gain weight quite rapidly. A Cairn terrier is also especially sensitive to fleas. However, you can be sure that this is one of the best breeds around when it comes to choosing a pet.