Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Overview
The Cairn Terrier is one of the oldest Scottish breeds, with a history dating back to the 16th century. Its name comes from the Celtic word “cairn”, meaning a pile of stones—places where these dogs hunted foxes, badgers, and otters. The Cairn Terrier was bred as a working dog to locate and flush out animals from burrows and rocky crevices. The breed developed under the harsh conditions of Scotland, requiring endurance, a strong character, and resistance to severe weather. Initially, all small terriers of this type were grouped together, but in the 19th century, they began to be separated into distinct breeds. The Cairn Terrier retained most of the qualities of its working ancestors: natural courage, a harsh weatherproof coat, and a lively temperament. It was officially recognized in the early 20th century and soon gained popularity in Europe and the United States as both a hunter and a companion.
General Appearance
The Cairn Terrier is a small but sturdy, square-built dog with a compact body and strong bones. Despite its size, it gives the impression of a true working breed. The body is muscular, the back straight, the loin short and strong, and the chest deep with well-sprung ribs. The head is proportionate, with a moderately broad skull and short muzzle. The eyes are dark, medium-sized, lively, and intelligent. The ears are small, erect, and triangular. The tail is of medium length, carried straight without curl. The coat is double, with a harsh, rough outer layer and a soft, dense undercoat. Various coat colors are permitted except pure white. The overall appearance reflects strength, confidence, and energy, characteristic of a dog that has preserved its hunting nature.
Important Proportions
The Cairn Terrier has balanced proportions that emphasize its sturdy and functional build. The body length from shoulder to rump is approximately equal to the height at the withers, forming a square outline. The head is proportionate to the body; the muzzle is shorter than the skull, in a ratio of about 1:2. The skull is broad and slightly domed, with a distinct but not abrupt stop. The height at the elbow equals half of the dog’s total height, ensuring correct balance. The chest is deep, reaching the elbows, and the ribs are well-rounded. The limbs are straight and strong, with firm feet. The tail is medium in length, straight, and in proportion with the body. All proportions should ensure endurance, strength, agility, and freedom of movement.
Temperament and Character
The Cairn Terrier is energetic, brave, and cheerful. It retains the hunting qualities of alertness, quickness, and determination. The character is balanced yet active—the dog is always ready to play or work. It is affectionate with its owner, friendly with family members, and good with children, provided it is treated respectfully. Highly trainable and intelligent, it learns commands quickly, though it may show some stubbornness and independence. This breed is clever, inquisitive, and needs both physical and mental stimulation. It usually gets along well with other animals if properly socialized, though hunting instincts can appear. The Cairn Terrier combines devotion, liveliness, and fearlessness, making it a reliable companion and loyal friend.
Head
The head is proportionate to the body, strong, and well-shaped. The skull is moderately broad and slightly domed, with a smooth forehead. The stop is distinct but not abrupt, creating a harmonious profile. The muzzle is short, strong, and not pointed, with well-developed cheeks. The jaws are strong, and the teeth are white and even. The head is covered with dense hair forming typical eyebrows and beard, giving an alert and lively expression.
Muzzle
The muzzle is short and strong, broad at the base and tapering slightly toward the nose. The nose is always black, of medium size, with well-developed nostrils that emphasize breed expression. Lips are tight, dry, and black. The jaws are powerful and even, with a scissor bite. The well-defined cheeks enhance the confident and determined look.
Eyes
The eyes are medium-sized, set wide apart, and slightly deep-set, giving depth to the expression. They are oval in shape, always alert and intelligent. The iris is dark, preferably deep brown to nearly black, highlighting the facial expression. The eyelids are tight and fully pigmented. Light eyes, overly large or protruding eyes, and lack of pigmentation are faults that detract from the breed’s type.
Ears
The ears are small, triangular, and erect, with pointed tips. They are set wide and high, emphasizing alertness and liveliness. The surface of the ear is covered with short, harsh hair without fringes or feathering. The ears must be proportionate to the head—not too large or too small. Low-set ears, excessive length, or soft cartilage are considered faults that spoil the breed’s expression.
Neck
The neck is of medium length, strong, dry, and muscular, blending smoothly into the shoulders. It is set high, giving the dog a proud carriage. The neck broadens gradually toward the shoulders, forming a smooth line. The skin fits tightly without folds or dewlap. The coat on the neck is thick and harsh, emphasizing strength and breed type.
Body
The body is compact and squarely built, strong and muscular. The back is straight and firm, of medium length. The loin is short, slightly arched, and well connected. The chest is deep, reaching the elbows, with well-sprung but not barrel-shaped ribs. The abdomen is slightly tucked up, underlining agility. The croup is short and slightly sloping. The overall impression is one of harmony, strength, and balance.
Tail
The tail is of medium length, straight, thick at the base, and tapering toward the tip. It is set high and carried gaily but never curled over the back. Covered with dense, harsh hair, the tail maintains a natural look without excessive trimming. The tail should complement the body and complete the dog’s square outline. A low-set or misshapen tail is considered a serious fault.
Forequarters
The forelegs are straight and parallel, with strong bones and dry muscles. The shoulder blades are long and sloping, forming correct angulation with the upper arms. The elbows are close to the body and directed backward, not turned out. The pasterns are short, strong, and slightly sloping. The feet are small, round, compact, with strong nails and firm pads, ensuring stability and light movement.
Hindquarters
The hind legs are strong, muscular, and parallel when viewed from behind. The thighs are of medium length, broad, and well-muscled. The stifles are well bent, providing strong drive. The hocks are low set, elastic, and firm. The feet are compact, round, with tough pads and black nails. Cow-hocked or overly straight hind legs are faults that spoil movement balance.
Movement
The gait is light, springy, and free, with good reach in the forelegs and powerful drive from the hindquarters. Movements are confident and rhythmic, the back remaining level and the body balanced. The overall impression should be one of agility and vitality, without stiffness. Wobbling, pigeon-toed movement, or short, restricted steps are undesirable.
Coat
The Cairn Terrier has a double coat: a harsh, weather-resistant outer coat of medium length and a dense, soft undercoat providing insulation against cold and moisture. The coat should form a natural, rugged appearance and must never be soft, curly, or too long. Only hand-stripping is allowed, not clipping, to preserve proper coat texture.
Acceptable Colors
Acceptable colors include gray, brindle, wheaten, cream, and red in all shades. Slight dark shadings on the ears, muzzle, and tail are typical and desirable. Pure white or solid black coats are not permitted. The color must be bright, even, and natural, reflecting the breed’s rustic working heritage.
Size
The Cairn Terrier is small but strong. The height at the withers for both males and females is between 25 and 30 cm. Adult weight ranges from 6 to 7.5 kg. Males are usually more robust, while females are slightly lighter and more refined but still solid. Excessive size or overly small stature are considered serious faults affecting balance.
Faults
Faults include deviations from the standard that reduce the overall quality but do not disqualify the dog. Among them: elongated or too short body, flat ribs, weak loin, poorly muscled limbs, disproportionate head, overly long or short muzzle, light or incompletely pigmented nose, light or protruding eyes, large or low-set ears, low or curled tail, soft or silky coat, lack of undercoat, and presence of white markings. Behavioral faults such as shyness, excessive aggression, or nervousness are also penalized.
Disqualifying Faults
Disqualifying faults include serious deviations making the dog unfit for breeding or exhibition: lack of breed type, disproportionate body, excessive or insufficient size or weight, depigmented or liver-colored nose, blue or yellow eyes, heterochromia, incorrect bite (overshot, undershot, jaw asymmetry, multiple missing teeth), drooping or cropped ears, docked or curled tail, absence of undercoat, short, soft, silky, or curly coat, disallowed colors (pure white, solid black, or black-and-tan), and white patches on the body. Behavioral issues such as extreme fear, aggression, or instability, as well as congenital or hereditary defects affecting health, also lead to disqualification.
Important Notes
The Cairn Terrier is one of Scotland’s oldest hunting breeds, known for its endurance, strength, and fearless character. Evaluation focuses on working type: compact body, strong bone, harsh double coat, and energetic movement. The appearance should reflect a dog capable of work in rugged conditions. Only minor deviations not affecting type are tolerated. Cropping of ears or tail is not permitted under ICCF rules. Temperament must be stable—excessive aggression or fearfulness are unacceptable. Breeding must preserve health, genetic purity, and breed characteristics, avoiding hereditary diseases. Participation in shows and breeding requires official ICCF documentation confirming pedigree and conformity to the standard, ensuring preservation of the traditional type, working abilities, and international recognition of the breed.
Conclusion
The Cairn Terrier is a breed of rich heritage that combines the working instincts of a hunter with the devotion of a companion. It is characterized by a strong skeleton, compact body, harsh coat, and energetic temperament. Brave, intelligent, and enduring, it remains independent yet deeply loyal to its owner. Under the ICCF system, the breed is evaluated strictly according to the standard, considering structure, proportions, coat, and behavior. Shyness, aggression, or major deviations from type are unacceptable. Official ICCF documentation is required for exhibition and breeding, guaranteeing the preservation of purity, health, and the true spirit of the breed. The Cairn Terrier stands as a proud symbol of Scottish terriers—fearless, faithful, and full of life, a reliable and joyful companion for humans worldwide.
