Cairn Terrier

The bright-eyed, up-for-anything Cairn Terrier was bred in Scotland to dig into piles of rocks – the cairns from which he gets his name – in search of vermin. Today he's a full-time family pet and companion, but he's no lap dog. With his head up, ears and tail twitching, he's always game for a long walk, wrestling with the kids, or ridding the backyard of invading squirrels. The shaggy-coated Cairn only weighs 13 or 14 pounds, but he's a little dog who clearly has no idea just how small he is. He's intelligent and fairly easy to train, with a streak of what some would call independence, but you might call stubbornness. Cairn Terriers are very affectionate, particularly with children, and while some small dogs can't handle the rough-and-tumble games kids play, the Cairn Terrier loves them. He'll even invent some of his own. That's not to say every Cairn Terrier will automatically be great with children. Adult supervision of playtime along with training and socializing of the dog are still required. But in most cases, kids and Cairns are a match made in heaven. With small furry creatures, it's a very different story. The Cairn still remembers rooting out otters, foxes, and other vermin on Highland farms, and he's not likely to make a distinction when it comes to cats, hamsters, and other small animals. Always walk him on leash so he can’t indulge the urge to chase other animals. The Cairn Terrier is a low-maintenance dog, needing just a weekly combing to keep shedding under control. Cairn Terriers don't do well if they're left alone for long periods, and are not happy as backyard dogs. Let him live as a member of your family, preferably with the company of another dog, or you might find yourself with a lonely, bored, noisy, and destructive nuisance. The Cairn might be small, but he’s so confident that it’s easy to forget his size. He has the typical Terrier independence and no-nonsense attitude, but he’s a friendly dog who can adapt to any type of home -- from a city apartment to a country farm (both will give him the opportunity to practice his ratting skills). Alert, active, and curious, the Cairn functions as a watchdog, child playmate, and all-round family friend. When both dog and child have proper supervision and training, Cairns and kids fit together perfectly. Cairns are sturdy and forgiving of accidental bops on the head or stepped-on paws. Still, it’s important to protect them from a toddler who doesn't yet understand how to pet a dog nicely. Don’t expect the Cairn to be a lap dog, despite his small size. He might give you a minute or two of his time, but he’s got things to do and places to go. Just be sure they don’t involve digging up your garden: his large feet and strong nails — not to mention his terrier instincts — fit this pursuit perfectly. The Cairn is smart and learns quickly. There’s never any need to yell at him or treat him forcefully; he’ll respond to positive reinforcement in the form of praise, play, and treats as long as he knows you’re in charge. Be firm and consistent in what you ask of him, and he’ll be happy to play follower to your leader. Let him get the idea that you’re wishy-washy, though, and this fearless and tenacious little dog will take it upon himself to run your household. And without training, supervision or appropriate levels of play, he’ll become bored, spending his time chewing, barking and digging to keep himself occupied. Don’t let that happen! Challenge his brain — he has a great one — with puzzle toys and training sessions that are interesting and ever-changing, and keep him active every day with interesting walks or hikes (he is built for scrambling over rocks, after all) and fun playtimes. On wet or snowy days, let him chase a ball indoors or teach him to play hide and seek. Start training your puppy the day you bring him home. Even at eight weeks old, he is capable of soaking up everything you can teach him.