Cairn Terrier Chihuahua Mix

The Cairn Terrier Chihuahua Mix, is a mixed breed dog resulting from breeding the Cairn Terrier and the Chihuahua. Both of these dogs can be friendly but personalities differ, so you never know. The Cairn Terrier is known for being hardy, intelligent, and fearless. All dogs need proper socialization and that will be a big factor in how they interact with others. What does this mixed breed look and act like? Is it more like the Cairn Terrier or the Chihuahua? Those are the questions we will try and answer below. Continue reading below to see pictures, videos, and learn more about the beautiful Cairn Terrier Chihuahua Mix.

While we really recommend that you acquire all animals through a rescue, we understand that some people might go through a breeder to get their Cairn Terrier Chihuahua Mix puppy. That is, if they have any Cairn Terrier Chihuahua Mix puppies for sale.

If you are interested in helping animal rescues raise money, please play our quiz. Each correct answer donates to help feed shelter animals.

Cairn Terrier Chihuahua Mix History

All hybrid or designer dogs are tough to get a good read on as there isn’t much history to them. Breeding specific dogs like this has become common in the last twenty years or so even though I am sure that this mixed breed found it’s share of dogs to the shelter due to accidental breeding. We will take a closer look at the history of both parent breeds below. If you are looking at breeders for new, designer dogs please beware of Puppy Mills. These are places that mass produce puppies, specifically for profit and don’t care at all about the dogs. If you have a few minutes, please sign our petition to stop puppy mills.

Cairn Terrier History

Bounding out of the highlands comes the Cairn Terrier, a descendent one of Scotland’s oldest known line of working terriers dating to the 1600s. He was originally bred to rid the land of vermin, mostly rodents but also larger prey such as otters and foxes. Three present-day Scottish terriers — the Scottish, the West Highland White, and the Cairn — all were descended from an established breed called the Scotch Terrier, which in 1873 became two distinct terrier breeds, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Skye Terriers. These terriers came from the same stock in the Scottish highlands but ultimately developed as two different breeds. Later, the Scottish, West Highland White, and Cairn terriers all descended from the same stock and originally were differentiated only by color.

Fun fact: Most Cairn terriers are left-pawed. Research has shown that this trait correlates to a strong sense of smell — a major advantage in locating prey. The dog we now know as the Cairn Terrier was originally called a Short-haired Skye Terrier when entered into The Kennel Club competition in the U.K. in 1909. Breeders of standard Skye Terriers objected, and the name Cairn Terrier, alluding to the stone piles along the moors where the dog chases his prey, was accepted as a compromise.

The Cairn Terrier gained AKC recognition in 1913, although at this time many breeders in both the U.S. and U.K. were crossing Cairn Terriers with West Highland White Terriers. In 1917, the AKC barred any Cairn of mixed heritage as demonstrated by a white coat. The British standard followed in 1923, when it was rewritten to prohibit all-white dogs.

Fun fact: A Cairn Terrier portrayed Dorothy’s “little dog,” Toto, in the classic film The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Chihuahua History

The Chihuahua's history is kind of confusing and there are many theories about where these guys came from. The one cool thing is that there are archaeological finds in Mexico that proves that’s where they originated.
One of the most prevailing theories is that they came from the Techichi. The Techichi was a companion dog who lived with the Toltec civilization in Mexico. This is a very old breed with records starting around the 9th century. It is thought to be even older though with dog pots from Colima, Mexico, depicting them dating back to 300 BC. Even older than that has the Mayans showing evidence of dogs similar to the Chihuahua in materials from the Great Pyramid of Cholula, predating 1530 and in the ruins of Chichen Itza on the Yucatán Peninsula.
There is actually lots of archaeological evidence showing the chihuahua and similar size dogs dating to 100 AD, indirect evidence that the breed was in Mexico over 1400 years before the first Europeans arrived.
So this dog was around for literally thousands of years. In 1520, Hernan Cortés wrote a 1520 letter stating that the Aztecs raised and sold the little dogs as food. The Mayans weren’t exactly the most friendly and humane culture, small dogs such as Chihuahuas were also used as living hot-water bottles during illness or injury. This is thought to start the practice of burning the deceased with live dogs, thought to exonerate the deceased human's sins. Some historians believe this practice is where the idea of pain being transferred from animals to humans originated. Colonial records refer to small, nearly hairless dogs at the beginning of the 19th century, one of which claims 16th-century Conquistadores found them plentiful in the region later known as Chihuahua, hence the name.

Cairn Terrier Chihuahua Mix Size and Weight

Cairn Terrier
Height: 9 - 10 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 13 - 14 lb.
Lifespan: 12 - 15 years

Chihuahua
Height: 6 - 9 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 3 - 6 lb.
Lifespan: 12 - 20 years

Cairn Terrier Chihuahua Mix Personality

The Cairn Terrier and the Chihuahua might be a little bit spunky. They can be an inquisitive little fella so keep on the lookout for that behavior! All dogs need attention and don't want to be left alone. That's why you have a pet, right? Plan on putting forth effort to socialize her as this will reap dividends in the long run. Please use always use positive reinforcement even though they can have a mind of their own. Enjoy being with your new mixed breed and love the relationship you will have with them.

Cairn Terrier Chihuahua Mix Health

All dogs have the potential to develop genetic health problems as all breeds are susceptible to some things more than others. However, the one positive thing about getting a puppy is that you can avoid this as much as possible. A breeder should absolutely offer a health guarantee on puppies. If they won’t do this, then look no more and don’t consider that breeder at all. A reputable breeder will be honest and open about health problems in the breed and the incidence with which they occur. We obviously recommend that you look for a reputable animal rescue in your area to find your new mixed breed. Health clearances prove that a dog has been tested for and cleared of a particular condition.

The Cairn Terrier mixed with the Chihuahua might be prone to cataracts, corneal dystrophy, diabetes, among others.

Note that these are just common problems in both breeds.

Cairn Terrier Chihuahua Mix Care

What are the grooming requirements?

Even if you know the breed, sometimes it is hard to tell if it will be a heavy shedder or a light shedder. Either way, Get ready to invest in a good vacuum if you want to keep your floors clean! Give them baths as needed, but not so much that you dry out their skin.

What are the exercise requirements?

Plan on taking them for extremely long walks and hikes to keep their energy level down. This mix will more than likely have a high energy level. This exercise will keep them from being destructive. A tired dog is a good dog. A tired dog is a good dog though. Never tie your dog up outside - that is inhumane and not fair to him.

What are the training requirements?

This is an intelligent dog that will be a little bit challenging to train. They are going to want to take the alpha position and need someone with a firm, strong, hand that can let them know their place. The best thing you can do is break the sessions into shorter daily sessions to keep their attention span higher. It might have a prey drive and be disposed to running for and chasing small prey, but if handled properly this can be managed. All dogs respond best to positive reinforcement. So make sure to praise her when she does well. She is an intelligent dog who loves to please, and loves a physical challenge. The more exercise she gets the easier she will be to train. Proper socialization is imperative to all dogs and puppies. Make sure to take her to the park and doggy day care to get her around as many people and dogs as possible.

Cairn Terrier Chihuahua Mix Feeding

"A lot of times diet is done on a per-dog basis. Each one is unique and has different dietary requirements. Most dogs in the U.S. are overweight. A mix like this one that is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia should really be on fish oil and glucosamine and chondroitin supplements as soon as possible. A good diet to look into is Raw Food Diet. A raw food diet will be especially good for the Wolf background.

Overfeeding any dog is not a good idea as that can really exacerbate health problems such as elbow and hip dysplasia.

I good diet to look into is Raw Food Diet. A raw food diet will be especially good for the Wolf background."

Cairn Terrier Links

Links to other breeds you might be interested in