Cairn Terrier for Sale

About Cairn Terrier

The Cairn Terrier is another dog breed with a small body full of energy. After its development in Scotland, farmers used it to chase out vermin from their farms. Those who have watched The Wizard of Oz are already familiar with the Cairn. It’s a courageous dog and tenacious, too.

If you need a dog with such characteristics, please check the Cairn Terrier for sale near me in our ads above. Our breeders have various choices for you, and the prices are pocket-friendly. As you book one, here are some details about this active cutie.  

Cairn Terrier Overview

The Wizard of Oz movie made the Cairn Terrier breed famous. The dog in the film (Toto), owned by Carl Spitz (a trainer), earned $125 weekly for the role. The actual dog's name was Terry, and it also appeared in other movies before the Oz. Watching such a movie, as a dog enthusiast, may prompt you to search for Cairn Terrier puppies for sale near me. As you do so, here is an overall overview of the dog.

Height	9-10 inches
Weight	13-14 pounds
Coat	The shaggy outer coat, while the undercoat is soft
Coat Color	Gray, black, cream, red, silver, wheaten, white, and brindle
Temperament	Playful, willful, friendly, anxious, and gentle
Shedding	Occasionally
Energy level	Very active
Lifespan	13-15 years

Cairn Terrier History

The Cairn Terrier breed is more than 200 years old since its development. It all started on the Isle of Skye, in Scotland, where Captain Martin MacLeod developed the first strain. Initially, all terriers were classified as Scotch Terriers. Further classification happened in 1873 when two terrier classes were formed. They include the Skye Terriers and Dandie Dinmont Terriers.

The Cairns were under the Skye group with West Highland White and Scottish Terriers. The main distinction here was color. In 1881, the Hard-Haired Scotch Terrier Club was formed. As the 19^th century ended, the breeders began separating the Scottish Terriers. The West Highland White breed was later separated in 1908. The Cairn Terrier classification came to be in 1912. The naming came from the pile of stones that the Scottish used to mark burial sites.

Cairn Terriers arrived in the U.S. in 1913 after Mrs. Byron Rodger and Mrs. Henry F. Price imported them. It was interbred with the West Highland White until 1917 in both the U.S. and England. The American Kennel Club later rejected registering any dog developed from such an interbreeding. It was also the same year the AKC recognized the Cairn Terrier Club.

Similar Breeds to Cairn Terrier

The following breeds are also from the Terrier group. They share the same characteristics or appearance as the Cairns.

• Scottish Terrier
• Australian Terrier
• Irish Terrier
• West Highland White Terrier
• Airedale Terrier

They are also available with Cairn Terrier pups for sale on our ads. So, there is a variety of exposure as you purchase from us.

Appearance

There are similarities between the Cairn Terrier and the Norwich Terrier, but a closer look will show you the difference. The Cairn is an aggressive terrier with a tiny but sturdy body. It's, however, taller than the Norwich. The head is wide, the legs are short, and the shoulder height does not grow for more than 10 inches.

It has a shaggy coat on the outside, while the inner one is soft. There is a range of colors for the coat, and that also includes different patterns. The breed has deep brown eyes, and the face resembles a fox's.

Character Traits

The Cairn Terrier behaves just like most of the terriers. Most of its traits are in the middle. Here is what you should expect after purchasing a Cairn.

• It’s a friendly and cheerful dog who likes meeting people
• Being a terrier, expect it to be tough, alert and independent
• It digs, chases other pets, and barks when curious
• It fits well as a watchdog
• Loves owner's company, and it’s suitable for the kids
• Doesn’t like to be berated and is upset if you are unhappy

Taking Care of a Cairn Terrier

Training and Exercise

Taking care of a Cairn Terrie is not challenging, but you need to note that it's a dog that loves to be active. The size makes it suitable for those living in apartments. If you, however, have a ranch or some outdoor space, that will be much better for the dog. This is a dog that needs some fair share of exercise. A 30-minute walk or leaving it in the backyard will keep it healthy and mentally stable. The dog trains quickly, but remember it's an independent thinker. That means it can be stubborn at times.

With that, it requires obedience training at an early stage. It would be best if you combined that with socialization so that you can get used to meeting people. You may face a few challenges as you train, but be consistent until the dog learns. Cairn Terriers work well with 'quiet' commands. Since it's a dog that likes meeting people, don't let it roam in public places. It could be tempted to chase. If you choose to leave the dog in the yard for exercise, you should be under watch. This is a small dog with an excavator ability.

Feeding

How much a Cairn Terrier eats depends on age, size, build, and activity level. The recommended daily amount is ½ to one cup of dry food daily. You should divide that into two meals. If our dog is highly active, it will require more food than the one that sits all day. Food quality is also crucial here. Good dog health depends on how the food nourishes the pet. As you feed, check if it's becoming obese by doing the hands-on and eye tests.

Grooming

A Cairn Terrier possesses a double coat that needs grooming, although it's pretty easy to do so. Thorough brushing should happen once or twice a week. Bathing should not be frequent so that the coat does not go soft. A wash-up every 2-3 months will suffice. Trimming is also necessary to keep the dog tidy. If you are not preparing the dog for a show, you should use a stripping knife to do the job. If you cannot do it, take it to a professional who will do it twice or thrice a year.

Other grooming actions include brushing the teeth twice or thrice a week. That will help reduce the tartar and bacteria buildup, especially on the gums. Trim the nails at least once in a month to prevent accidental tears whenever the dog jumps on you. As you cut them, please don't go too deep from the tip since they have blood vessels.

More to cleaning here involves the ears. Check them every week for any foul odor or redness. Such signs could mean an infection. Cleaning can be done using a cotton ball and a suitable ear cleaner. As you wipe, do it on the outer ear without touching the inner part. As you groom, check for any signs of redness, infections, rashes, or tenderness on the skin, feet, mouth, eyes, and nose. Introducing these grooming activities to the dog at a young age is advisable to make it easier for you as the dog grows.

Cairn Terrier Health Issues

This dog can live for up to 15 years while healthy. You should, however, take note of the following diseases in the course of its growth:

• Cryptorchidism: A condition where one of the testicles (or both) fails to move to the scrotum.
• Craniomandibular osteopathy: The skull bones of a growing puppy become enlarged irregularly. The condition ends once the puppy reaches a year old, although it may affect the jaw, causing the dog to have difficulty eating.
• Hypothyroidism: A thyroid gland disorder that may cause alopecia, lethargy, epilepsy, obesity, and pyoderma.
• Patellar luxation: The knee joint slides in and out, leading to pain as the dog walks. It's a crippling condition, although most dogs can live with it.
• Globoid cell leukodystrophy: It’s also called the Krabbe’s disease. Here, the brain and spinal white matter degenerate. Affected puppies usually die at a young age.
• Ocular melanosis: It's a painful condition that occurs in 7-12-year-old Cairn Terriers. It affects both eyes, and signs are small spots of dark pigmentation on the white part of the eye.
• Portosystemic liver shunt: The blood vessels do not direct blood to the liver. The blood is, therefore, not cleansed.
• Legg-calve-perthes: A hip joint problem with insufficient blood supply on the femur's head. It happens to dogs 4-6 months old and causes them to limp. Early surgery can correct this.

How Much Is a Cairn Terrier?

A Cairn Terrier puppy will cost you between $1200-$2000 if you get it from a breeder. Our reputable breeders have information about the dog's parents and veterinary history. They also give the dogs initial training and socialization in addition to vaccination. If you would like a dog with such information, check the Cairn Terrier pups for sale near me from our ads at the top.

There is also the Cairn Terrier adoption option for those who want to get a rescued one. The cost here is between $50 and $500. You usually get a retired Cairn Terrier for sale in such a case since the rescued ones are mainly old.

Is a Cairn Terrier Suitable for You?

You may have spotted the right Cairn Terrier puppy for sale near me, but you are still deciding whether to pick it. Here is a breakdown to help you make a decision.

You should get this dog if:

• You want a small, sturdy, and tough dog that also fits as a lapdog
• You want a dog requiring moderate exercise and enjoy your company
• You want a dog with a minimal shedding characteristic
• You need a small dog that can also serve as a watchdog

This dog does not suit you if:

• You don’t like an aggressive dog
• You don’t want to be disturbed
• You don’t like a dog that digs holes when it gets the chance

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is a Cairn Terrier different from a Norwich Terrier?

These two dog breeds have their similarities. However, if you know what to look for, you will notice the difference in the tails. Cairn Terrier’s tail is upright (or erect), while the Norwich has a bent one towards the body. The Norwich breed is also smaller.

2. Do Cairn Terriers bark a lot?

Cairn Terriers can bark excessively, especially if they are not well-trained. On the other hand, that makes them good watchdogs. They are also an aggressive dog that digs a lot.

3. How long does a Cairn Terrier live?

Cairn Terrier's lifespan ranges between 13-15 years if you get a healthy dog without health conditions.

4. What do Cairn Terriers mainly do?

They are active dogs who love their owner's company. They were developed to help land and farm owners chase out vermin, including the foxes. Today, they are known for chasing little animals, digging holes, and barking. They also fit as family companions and are suitable for the kids.   

5. What is the primary disadvantage of a Cairn Terrier?

Cairn Terriers are prone to several health conditions. They include epilepsy from hypothyroidism, ocular melanosis, and cryptorchidism, among others. Therefore, you must know about a puppy's parent's health condition before purchasing one.

Wrapping Up

Owning a Cairn Terrier is like having a little cute dog that is quite all over. It will amuse you with some of its tricks and annoy you when it destroys your flower garden with holes. If you would like a small dog full of activity and fun to live with, check out our AKC Cairn Terrier puppies for sale in our ads. We also have Cairn Terrier for sale from other reputable breeders across the U.S. Don’t feel limited when you are on a site with a wide variety of options on where to fetch a good Cairn.