Of all
the terrier breeds of Scotland the Cairn has been the least affected
by becoming a show dog all through the breeds history since it was
officially recognised as separate breed by the Kennel Club in 1912,
its fanciers have resisted all attempts to change it or allow it to
be trimmed in a formal or stylized fashion. By a curios twist of
fate and despite the fact that it is almost certainly the closest in
type to the original Highland terrier that was to found from time
immemorial all over the Highlands & Islands of West of Scotland
the Cairn was the Last of them all to receive official recognition.
It is known that these "earth dogs" were recorded in
Argyllshire in the sixteenth Century. Much of the early history of
the Cairn Terrier like that of the Skye Terrier centers on the
Island of Skye. in fact both breeds claim that their roots lie with
the same families & estates, Drynock, Roseneath and mogstads,
and Roseneath features prominently in early West Highland White
Terriers. But most modern Cairns descended from the lines based on
Skye.
In the struggle
for recognition of the breed with the Kennel Club much acrimonious
correspondence and many meetings were held between the parties
involved namely Skye, Scottish and West Highland devotees. Failing
to satisfy all parties the Kennel Club ruled that each variety be
given a separate name and a separate register, but it was not until
twelve years after the recognition of the Cairn Terrier in 1924,
that it was finally ruled that cross - breeding between Cairn's and
West Highland White Terrier's be disallowed up to this time white
puppies in Cairn litters could be registered as West Highland White
Terriers and coloured puppies in Westie litters as Cairns.
In 1914 there
were seven classes with C.C's at Cruft's & sixty four entries.
The breed was on it's way to worldwide popularity.
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Breed
History 
