Cairn Terriers are among the oldest, if not the oldest, of the terrier breeds. Their origins are on the Island of Skye and adjacent Scottish Highlands. As early as the 1500s the ancestral cairn is called the "earth dogge" or "terrier of the North". Over time, the Scottie and West Highland White separated and the original terrier became identified as the Cairn. Until 1910, Cairn Terriers were known as the prick-eared Skye Terriers or short haired Sky Terriers.
The Cairn terriers were bred to kill vermin found in the rocky crevices, or cairns, on Scottish farms. They excelled above other breeds at hunting otter. Farms with several Cairns were free of rats, mice, moles, and other burrowing animals.
Today's Cairn terrier is a companion animal whose ancient instincts make it an amusing house pet. It is a sturdy animal with few health problems and life span often extending in to the late teens. The best known example of a Cairn is ToTo from the Wizard of Oz.

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