Cairn Terriers 101

Name: Cairn Terrier

Personality: Just like Toto from The Wizard of Oz -- perhaps the most famous cairn terrier of all time -- these pups' "courage, tenacity and intelligence" are hallmark characteristics of a "sensible, confident little dog, independent but friendly with everyone he meets," says the Cairn Terrier Club of America. The Dog Breed Info Center says the breed is "alert, animated, hardy... loyal, curious, cheerful, lovable and friendly."

Grooming: The cairn terrier boasts a "weather-proof coat," says the Cairn Terrier Club of America, and a low-shedding one at that. Yet the coat "actually takes quite a bit of maintenance," claims the Dog Breed Info Center, "and a neglected coat soon becomes a sorry, matted mess." Brush several times a week, "being gentle with the soft undercoat," and bathe monthly, "brushing the coat while it dries."

Common Health Issues: Dog Breed Info Center notes that cairn terriers are "often allergic to fleas," and that they are prone to weight gain. Other sites list a host of possible problems, although as cairn terriers usually live into their teenage years, not many of these prove fatal: cataracts, hypothyroidism, luxating patella, Von Willebrand Disease, etc.

Training Tips: "This breed can be taught to do tricks," says Dog Breed Info Center, but first the cairn-terrier owner must establish that he or she will not appear meek or passive in the face of this "willful" pooch. The American Kennel Club agrees. "Cairns love their families, but may try to test their owners' limits, so obedience training is necessary." The AKC also notes that the breed's instincts to dig and to chase smaller animals are so ingrained that you may never be able to train that out of them.

Best Only/Animal Match: Dog Breed Info Center notes that this breed does particularly well adapting to new homes. Not only that, it can thrive in all sorts of household environments. The Cairn Terrier Club of America claims that the breed is equally suited for life in "an apartment, suburban home or on a farm," although the Dog Breed Info Center cautions that apartment-dwelling cairns can be "very active indoors" and will need to be "sufficiently exercised" outside to make up for the lack of a yard. The breed is highly recommended for families with children, as cairn terriers enjoy playtime well into their teenage years, according to the CTCA.

What Cairn Terrier Owners Say: "A one-owner dog, a real mama's boy," says Paw Nation Facebook friend Joan Caira Diduca of Billerica, Mass.. "A great dog, other than that he had a problem marking in the house," says Susan Weintraub Egolf of Reading, Pa. about her cairn. Stacey Watson of Omaha, Neb. guhes, "I love our cairn, Xena! When she tilts her head to the side -- as if she is saying 'What?' -- it is adorable. No huge drawbacks that are breed specific, but she does have Addison's Disease. Wouldn't know it by watching her though! Nothing will stop her!"

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