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Breed profile

Cairn Terrier

A shaggy, game little Scottish terrier. Cheerful, sturdy and curious, with a strong urge to dig and chase.

Close-up of a grey brindle Cairn Terrier with pricked ears sitting in long grass
A shaggy, weatherproof coat and a face full of opinions.Photo: Los Perros pueden Cocinar / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Weight
6–7.5 kg13–17 lb
Height
28–31 cm11–12 in
Lifespan
13–15 yrs
Group
Terrier
Origin
Scotland
Popularity
#68 US#50 UK · 2025

Known for: Family dogsFlat-friendlyLow shedding

Energy
Shedding
Trainability
Barking
Good with kids
Flat-friendly

Temperament

Bold, Cheerful, Curious, Independent.

Health problems to know about

  • Atopic dermatitis
  • Patellar luxation
  • Ocular melanosis (pigmentary glaucoma)
  • Craniomandibular osteopathy
  • Portosystemic shunt

Ask breeders for the parents' health test results, and check what your national breed club recommends screening for.

Daily care

About an hour of exercise a day plus scent and digging games. Brush weekly and hand-strip the harsh coat a few times a year. Secure the garden: Cairns dig.

A good fit for

Families, first-time terrier owners, flats or small houses with daily walks.

Probably not ideal for

Homes with pet rodents, perfectly kept gardens, people wanting reliable off-lead recall.

Sources

  1. Royal Kennel Club: Cairn Terrier breed information
  2. Cairn Terrier Club of America: Care & Health
  3. VCA Animal Hospitals: Cairn Terrier
  4. Wikipedia: Cairn Terrier

Popularity: AKC 2025 registration rankings (US); Royal Kennel Club 2025 registrations (UK, ranked by us). Breed traits are tendencies, not guarantees. Individual dogs vary, and mixed breeds and rescues can be wonderful fits too.

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