9.5-10 inches
13-14 pounds
Any color except white.
13-15 years
Cairn Terriers love to chase things, so they should be kept on a leash when outside of the yard. They also like to dig, so fences should be secure at the base to prevent escapes. Weekly brushing and occasional bathing will help to control light shedding. Stripping of the coat should be done every six months. A moderately sized yard is needed.
Cairn Terriers are playful, alert, and good with children.
Housebreaking the Cairn Terrier requires consistency on your part. Dogs are creatures of habit, and knowing the tips and tricks of training will make the process so much easier and less stressful.
Puppy Housebreaking Adult Marking & Retraining
If you are looking for a puppy or adult dog, please read our important information on choosing a puppy from a breeder and adopting a dog from a rescue. There are good dog breeders and good dog rescues and there are bad dog breeders and bad dog rescues. Our information will help you to make an informed decision and will give you tips on what to look for and what to avoid.
Pet shops are not the best place to look for a puppy. Dogs from pet shops often come from puppy mills, and puppy mill dogs are often kept in unhealthy conditions. The best way to end puppy mills is to rescue or buy from reputable sources.
The Cairn Terrier should only be fed high-quality dog food targeted toward the dog’s age, whether puppy, adult, or senior. Avoid cooked bones and food with high fat content. Talk to your veterinarian if you have concerns about your dog’s weight.
The Cairn Terrier is extremely eager to please their owners. At the very least, these dogs can benefit from learning basic commands, like sit, come, and stay. Because this breed is highly intelligent and easily bored, it is important to give them multiple challenging toys to keep this breed occupied.
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Watch for allergies, Cataracts, Ocular Melanosis, PRA, liver shunt, Craniomandibular Osteopathy, Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy, Heart murmurs, Hypothyroidism, Legg-perthes, Luxated Patellar, seizures, Von Willebrand’s Disease.