The Cairn Terrier originates from the highlands of Scotland. Because of the natural undulations of hills and dales, the Cairn Terrier is a tough one alright. Be careful not to be carried away by its diminutive size. It's a breed that is meant for work, and lots and lots of it. And it's genes make it a energetic and frolicsome pet. If you are buying it know all this, then you know you are going to have a handful.

But if you live in an apartment, or similar type of accommodation, you are barking up the wrong tree, pardon the expression with this breed as a pet. This Cairn terrier is meant for wide open spaces, and more of it, and the better it is for this breed.

Thanks to the internet, and the interest people show, there's information about this particular breed, and loads of it. We have condensed some of the basics for you to consider.

Let's look at what it needs since it has enough energy to run up and down the hills of Scotland. So you need to have lots of open space for it to roam. It needs a regular leashed walk; otherwise it might just wander off, and come home, after you have despaired. Keep in the yard, and keep playing with till you are tired, the Cairn terrier is happy. Give it a ball, and watch it play.

You really have to train it well. And that means loads of efforts. It learns quickly. Untrained, it can become, to use one of the philosophers' saying 'nasty, brutish and short'. By the way, that was expressed for human beings! So training it has to have. And it learns. It bonds to humans very well. So if you are the outdoor types, this is the one for you. Walking with it, and playing with it will do wonders for your diabetes if you have it, or the spare tires around your belly! Its joi de vivre spreads and keeping up with it will make you lean and mean. Again, caution, don't get deceived by its size! It packs a wallop and boy what a wallop, says one who has one; and he won't part with it. It loves its owner.

You do need to take care of this pet. Cairn terriers do have this troublesome habit of falling sick, or becoming fat,if it is not given a balanced diet, and sufficient exercise.

When taking it out for a walk, it's better for you to have a strong, and tight leash. It has a tendency to go for wild things, and you never know where it will head next. And you better develop your forearms to handle it.

If let loose, it is prone to accidents. it might simply leap in a different direction from where it perceives danger, and runs smack into another one. So you have to be careful.

You can teach it a lot of tricks. And the more you teach the more it enjoys, and remembers. You may be surprised if out one day,and you are sitting, it might pick up a stick in its mouth and come to you with it.. waiting for you to throw it. It's speed in recovery of objects is phenomenal. And it is tenacious, just as the Scots are..this comment is meant in good faith.

You don't really have to worry much about its shedding hair etc. It does not have much first of all. But it can be prone to fleas. So there you have to take care, by using a dog's ointment or lotion to clean it. A regular check with the vet should help avoid health problems.

You better train it, otherwise it becomes morose and can turn nasty! Watch out for that.