The Cairn Terrier is a sensible, confident little dog, still close to its origins as a working terrier of the Scottish highlands and Isle of Skye. Independent but friendly, intelligent and long-lived, the Cairn tends to remain active and playful well into his teen years.

The Cairn Terrier is a spirited, hardy, restless little busybody - a big dog in a small dog's body. Alert, loyal, merry, lovable and mischievous.

On meeting a Cairn you will find a small, shaggy, alert dog, with head, tail and ears up, eyes shining with intelligence, poised and ready for anything. True to his working heritage the Cairn remains hardy with a fearless tenacity that will lead him into mischief if his owners are irresponsible.

The Cairn Terrier is a breed of dog of the terrier category. It is one of the oldest terriers, originating in the Scottish Highlands and recognised as one of Scotland's earliest working dogs, used for hunting burrowing prey among the cairns.

The Cairn (the last to be formally named) remained the closest to the original small working terrier, bolting the fox, otter and weasel, sharing the meager fare of the crofter's household.

Today the Cairn Terrier in America is a sensible, confident little dog, independent but friendly with everyone he meets. He may be found in an apartment, suburban home, or on a farm. Alert, intelligent and long-lived, the Cairn tends to remain active and playful well into his teen years, endearing him to children.

According to the American standard, dogs should weigh 14 pounds and stand 10" at the withers.Terry, the dog who played Toto in the 1939 screen adaptation of The Wizard of Oz, was a Cairn Terrier. Fred, the dog from I Love Lucy was a Cairn terrier.