We occasionally foster rescue/rehomed dogs and these have traditionally been Lab sized and up. We potentially now have an ancient Cairn Terrier heading our way. Are the kids, cat, neighbours dog and furniture safe? Any traits to look out for on walks?
We have a cairn terrier, who is now 17 years old! Which by all accounts shouldn't be possible but he just keeps ticking along.
Ours came from rehoming near Edinburgh when he was 2yrs old. He had clearly had some rough treatment when younger as if you reached out to stroke him his instinct was to immediately recoil, and this has never really left him tbh. He is very affectionate once settled though.
No issues with furniture, or general destruction, although when very excited is prone to the old cocked leg on a wall corner, plastic bag, or whatever was nearest.
He has been great with kids, docile, and has even grown to love our cat (although it took a couple of swipes to the nose before he found his place in the pecking order). The pair now saunter about the house together which is quite sweet.
Generally he tends to be pretty independent, particularly on walks. He will always be 5-10 metres ahead sniffing around, and he is off like a shot if he catches the scent of a squirrel, rabbit etc. Although, he does come back eventually (unlike a beagle, haha!)
He is our second cairn, and will be looking to rehome another once he, gulp, has his time.
Wow - it might end up being a longer foster than we thought then! Thanks for the info (good to know about the hunt instinct).
Two Cairns here. One i have had since a pup and one i re-homed at 2 y/o.
Both have unbelievable prey drive and as mentioned above, will be off like a shot!
Both great with my kids and people in general, although both can be a bit wary of larger dogs. No issues with any damage to furniture or general destruction! Both fine with the cat who occasionally turns up on my doorstep, but they aren't fond of strange cats they see on walks.
Cairns are full of character and quite rightly summed up as a big dog in a little dogs body. I wouldn't have another breed now.
Good luck!