The Cairn Terrier, known since 1500, was first publicly presented in 1909 and became popular after 1930. The Cairn Terrier is one of Scotland's original Terriers, probably a contributor to today's Scottish, West Highland White and Skye Terrier breeds. Named for the piles of small stones used to mark Scottish farm borders and graves, the Cairn Terrier’s job was to rout small animals from their lairs in these stone piles. Though used for such purposes for centuries, the Cairn Terrier is now primarily a companion dog. He also excels at Terrier (Go-To-Ground) trials. Everyone remembers a Cairn Terrier called "Toto" in the film "The Wizard of Oz."

Appearance
The Cairn Terrier is a small working terrier, agile and alert, with a shaggy, weather resistant coat and a natural appearance. The Cairn Terrier is double-coated, with a soft, dense undercoat and a harsh outer coat. A well-groomed Cairn Terrier has a rough-and-ready appearance, free of artifice or exaggeration.

Character
Cairn Terriers are intelligent, strong, and loyal. Like most terriers, the Cairn Terriers are stubborn and strong-willed, and love to dig after real or imagined prey. Cairn Terriers have a strong prey instinct and will need comprehensive training. However, they are highly intelligent and, although very willful, can be trained. Although it is often said that the Cairn Terriers are disobedient, this is not the case provided correct training is applied. The Cairn Terriers are working dogs and are still used as such in parts of Scotland.
 

Temperament
The Cairn Terrier is the essence of terrier; plucky, spirited, bold, inquisitive, hardy, clever, stubborn and scrappy. It is responsive to its owner's wishes, however, and tries to please; in fact, the Cairn Terrier is surprisingly sensitive. The Cairn Terrier is a self-assured and alert dog breed who makes a good watchdog. Affectionate and loving, the Cairn Terrier is naturally patient with children. The Cairn Terriers like to do what they want, and will not make good pets for someone looking for a dog to cuddle with. However, the Cairn Terriers are extremely loyal, playful, and amiable.

Exercise/Training
Despite its small size, the Cairn Terrier needs outdoor exercise every day, either a moderate walk on leash, a fun game in the yard or an excursion in a safe area. Playing and obedience are very good types of mental exercise. 20 minutes obedience and playing with your Cairn Terrier will be more useful for the dogs exercise then an hour walk on the leash can provide.

Color
The Cairn Terrier has a harsh, weather-resistant outer coat that can be cream, wheaten, red, sandy, gray, or brindled in any of these colors. Pure black, black and tan, and white are not permitted by many kennel clubs. While registration of white Cairn Terriers was once permitted, after 1917 the American Kennel Club required them to be registered as West Highland White Terriers. A notable characteristic of Cairn Terriers is that brindled Cairns frequently change color throughout their lifetime. It is not uncommon for a brindled Cairn Terrier to become progressively more black or silver as it ages.

Grooming
The wire coat of the Cairn Terrier needs combing once weekly, plus stripping of dead hair at least twice yearly. A good nutrition and regular brushing keeps the proper coat of the Cairn Terrier shine and the skin healthy. Bathing doesn’t harm the coat of the Cairn Terrier as long as you use a good quality shampoo that doesn't dry the skin and coat and is formulated for a canine coat. The ears of the Cairn Terrier should be kept clean and regularly inspected as well.

Any breed described as "good with children", the dog must be accustomed to children. Any dog that is not well socialized with children will not behave predictably around them. As with all dogs, they should never be left alone with young children.