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Originating over two hundred years ago, the Cairn Terrier is a Scottish breed from the Isle of Skye. The earliest history of the breed is not fully known but it is known that the Cairn Terrier is one of the oldest (possibly the oldest) British terrier breeds. The earliest records date back to the 16th century when Turberville and Dr. Caius refer to the "terriers of the North" which are believed to be references to the ancestors of the modern Cairn Terrier.

These "earth dogs" from Argyllshire were also given as a gift by King James VI of Scotland to a dear friend in France. These early terriers were used for hunting small vermin like badgers and foxes that were often located in rocky crevices or "cairns" ultimately leading to the breed's name, Cairn Terrier. In Latin, "Terrier" means earth and these earth dogs would travel into dens to flush out the vermin to their master.

Early pioneers of the Cairn Terrier breed include Mrs. Alastair Campbell and Mary Hawke. These woman are attributed to preserving the breed and getting the Cairn Terrier accepted by the Kennel Club in 1910 that were previously shown as either prick-eared or short-haired Skye Terriers. Registration for the Cairn Terrier would not begin until 1913 in the US with acceptance by the American Kennel Club (AKC) occurring in 1917. Today, the Cairn Terrier is the most popular Terrier breed in the UK.

The Cairn Terrier is a small dog breed that enjoys human companionship. Their skilled hunting instinct still exists and the modern Cairn takes pleasure in finding a scent and digging for underground vermin. Some farmers are still known to own these terriers to rid their barns of rodents. Owners warn not to scold their Cairns for bringing home a prize from their hunt, it's comparable to punishing a cat for purring. This is a huge part of their behavior and true instincts.

The double-coat of the Cairn Terrier is thick with the undercoat being harsh and the outer-coat resistant to the elements. The coat is sometimes referred to as "shaggy" but it should never look uncared for. Any coat color excluding white is acceptable with the most common colors being wheaten, gray, and red. Often times, the true coat color is difficult to determine in puppies and those born white may turn out to have a different coat color by the age of three months.

The characteristics of the Cairn Terrier are expressive with small eyes and an expression of both gentleness and astuteness. This is a cunning and intelligent breed that carries an eagerness to please their owner. They are highly protective of their territory but are not bullies. They will stand their ground and protect what's theirs but they don't intentionally pick fights. These common characteristics and traits have made this breed very popular as a family pet and human companion around the world.

References:

CAIRN TERRIERS, by Erliss McCormack, copyright 1989.

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