Cairn Terriers | Personality

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Anybody who says animals have no free will never knew a Cairn Terrier.

If the Cairn Terrier is the pet dog for you, it's because of the Cairn's personality. Cairns have personality, plus. In fact, my Gigi went into raptures over my rendition of the popular old song whenever I belted it out to her, "Because you've got PERSONALITY, PERSONALITY, PPUH-ERSONALITY. Yes, you've got PPUH-ERSONALITY . . . and a great . . . big . . . HEART!" She never could get enough of that.

Gigi, noticing she has an audience, romps to show you how great she is.

Gigi, noticing she has an audience, romps to show you how great she is.

Because Cairns are hams. They have a delightful personality and a buoyant, sunny disposition. Feisty and gay, they are energetic and extremely playful, remaining playful well into their teens. Though Cairns are high-spirited, they are not high strung. Gigi, here, earned the nickname "Bouncy" because of the way she romped to impress an audience. Most people say that males are more affectionate than females, and this has been my own experience. Gigi didn't need you, but Pierre loves to snuggle.

Warning: Cairns get lost in a flash because their heart's chief desire is to see the world. Even the diabetic cataracts that blinded Gigi didn't make her hesitate to exuberantly bolt through any open door or gate. If there is a thicket anywhere in sight, your Cairn will head straight for it, in search of varmints to terrorize. Fearless, Cairns think they're much bigger than they are, and they do not back down to anything. Except cats, that is. Known for unbelievable acts of heroism, they are courageously protective, yet not fighters. And they are, above all, foxy.

Though they aim to please, the breeding that produces the Cairn's endearing qualities also makes them a challenge to control. They do not become "good dogs" all by themselves. That's because Cairns ARE terriers = stubborn. So, to live with one you must be stubborner. You can do it: If I could develop this virtue, anybody can. Just make sure you always get your way.

Not that you can ever make a terrier do anything it doesn't want to. The trick is to make her want to. It's like fiction writing: nobody wants to read, but fiction writers know the tricks that make people want to.

So, though Cairn Terriers don't require the time-investment of a Jack Russell Terrier, Cairns are similar in that it takes some know-how to handle them. This doesn't mean you need to be a dog expert, but you do need to learn how to establish yourself as top dog. Because if you don't, your Cairn will.

That's because, unlike other hunting dogs, Cairns are bred to hunt on their own. This makes them independent, used to making their own decisions, and they are magnificently proud of that. They carry themselves splendidly. They will view you as their leader, but not as their master. In fact, they resist overweening mastery, and they refuse to prostitute themselves for a treat. This is why Cairn lovers don't say that they "own" a Cairn; they say that they "live with" one.

By the way, YOU are one of the things your Cairn will not back down to. Unless you really do frighten him, and then you are asking for trouble. Cairns are among the most intelligent dogs. So, if you don't teach them, they'll train you. They are full of the dickens. So, if they find out where your goat is tied, they will get it.

Therefore, if you're not prepared to work at TERRIER training, don't get a Cairn. If you're not prepared to fence your yard for a dog who might go off on Varmint Patrol the moment you turn your back, or who might think it's fun to make a game of not coming when you call, don't get a Cairn. (Yes, these smart dogs really do have a sense of humor.)

Terriers are not known for getting along very well with other dogs. Moreover, Cairns don't care how big that other dog is. Basic Obedience classes (Citizenship Training) are therefore highly recommended, for they socialize your Cairn to other dogs. Nonetheless, an unneutered male never gets along with another unneutered male dog in the household. If you want more than one Cairn, the best combination is a male and a female.

I match the furniture pretty good, eh?

Like people, Cairns dominate whomever they can. As a pup, my Gigi dominated the adult Cocker Spaniel next door! And you wouldn't believe Pierre's grand entrance to AKC Citizenship Training Class! Attempts to dominate (i.e., take possession of you) may first show in a puppy's teething on you and in playful attacks. Though these attacks are cute, you should not allow them. Putting a stop to this behavior in Gigi required relentless correction over weeks. But the payoff was a sweet, confident, and delightful dog that never even thought of showing aggression, let alone biting anybody.

Cairns are crazy about kids and get along fabulously with them. They are very forgiving of accidental blows or getting stepped on. Even when it really hurts, these tough little Rambos just shake it off as nothing the instant they see it was an accident. Nevertheless, like most dogs, Cairns will not put up with the abuse little children inflict when not supervised and taught how to treat animals. Besides, Cairns aren't big enough to take it.

Also, adopting an adult Cairn into a family with young children might not be a good idea. Two reasons. First, you don't know what people have done to that dog in the past. Second, to the dog, this adoption is an upheaval full of uncertainty in his life. Getting plopped in this strange new world naturally causes him a good deal of anxiety. His instincts will kick in and make him try to feel safer and more secure by attempting to dominate his new environment, especially the other beings in it. This means that after a week or so of careful observation he may seem to change on you and try to establish dominance over children and meek adults by growling or telling them off.

By this behavior he acts grumpy and says, "No, I don't want a bath" or "No, I don't want you to pick me up (and thus have control of me)." If this happens, you must put a stop to it. He is establishing himself as high in the "pack's" pecking order as he can. So, you must establish all humans above him in the pecking order, and this can be hard to pull off with little children.

Physical intimidation is not the answer. Intelligent know-how is. For, Cairns are like kids: they're ready, willing, and able to take over, but they feel more secure if you're in charge.

Resources

Col. Potter's Cairn Rescue Network offers an EXCELLENT description of Cairns in the article, Toto: The Other Side of the Story, at www.cairnrescue.com/general/index.htm#toto

The American Kennel Club (AKC) of America offers important information about terriers in general at www.akc.org/breeds/recbreeds/terriers.cfm.

© 2002 - 2007, Kathy Krajco - all rights reserved.
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It was last updated on 10/27/2007.
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