Terrier Dog Breeds and Puppies

Posts Tagged ‘Inquisitive’

Cairn terriers are related to the Westie or the West Highland White. It is presumed to be a sub-breed of the Scottish terrier. A Westie is obtained when a variety of white terriers are crossed with the Cairn terriers of west Scotland. The Westie, therefore, is a white variant of the Cairn terriers that come in a variety of colors except white. On the other hand, Scotties, or the descendants of the short-haired Skyes, have dark coats and longer bodies and heads.

The Scottish terriers comprise two categories: the Dandie Dinmont terriers and the Skye terriers. While the Dandie Dinmonts form a separate breed of their own, the Skye terriers include the Westies, the Scotties, and the Cairns. The smallest of all these terriers is the Cairn.

The breed gets its name from the small piles of stone that were placed to mark the boundaries of Scottish graves and farms. Ever since its earliest days, the Cairn was used to corner smaller animals into these small piles of rock. Though not heavy, the breed is sturdy and strong.

The appearance of “Toto,” Dorothy’s dog in the “Wizard of Oz,” enhanced the popularity of this breed. Cairn terriers are now popular as companions just as the American Pit Bull terriers. The breed has a talent for tracking objects, guarding the house, hunting, performing tricks, and competitive games.

The breed was specially christened “Cairn” in 1912 in honor of its exceptional talent in hunting down otters, foxes, and badgers that hid behind cairns, or small piles of rock. The American Kennel Club officially recognized them in 1913.