Temperament and care ratings
The American Kennel Club rates every breed from 1 to 5 on the traits below. They describe how the breed tends to be, not a promise about one dog.
Coat: Wiry coat, medium.
A Cairn Terrier suits
- People who hate dog hair on the sofa (shedding 2 of 5)
- Anyone who wants a natural watchdog (protective nature 4 of 5)
Think twice if
- You share walls with neighbors: barking is 4 of 5
What the ratings mean day to day
An energy score of 3 and mental stimulation needs of 3 mean a good daily walk and some play. With barking at 4 of 5 and a watchdog score of 4, expect a vocal dog that announces visitors. Grooming at 2 of 5 means an occasional brush.
Popularity
In 2020 it ranked 73.
Breeds with a similar profile
Closest matches across all 14 trait ratings:
Compare: Cairn Terrier vs Pomeranian · Cairn Terrier vs Schipperke · Cairn Terrier vs Manchester Terrier
Frequently asked questions
Are Cairn Terriers good with kids?
The AKC rates the Cairn Terrier 3 out of 5 for being good with young children. Supervise early meetings and teach kids how to handle a dog.
Do Cairn Terriers shed a lot?
Shedding is rated 2 out of 5 (low), and coat grooming 2 out of 5.
Are Cairn Terriers easy to train?
Trainability is rated 3 out of 5 and mental stimulation needs 3 out of 5.
How much energy does a Cairn Terrier have?
Energy is rated 3 out of 5 and playfulness 4 out of 5.
Ratings: American Kennel Club breed pages, compiled February 2022 (AKC Cairn Terrier page). 2025 ranking: AKC, published August 2026. How we check.