Can you cut a Cairn Terrier hair?
There aren’t really a ton of haircut options for your Cairn terrier. In fact, since they’re rockin’ that special hard coat on the outside, and soft undercoat, it’s generally recommended to not overdo it with the haircuts. The classic, most popular way to trim your terrier is by hand stripping.
What is the best way to groom a Cairn Terrier?

‘ The best way to get the correct look is with handstripping. Clipper cutting a Cairn Terrier normally leaves the dog looking ‘too groomed’ and destroys texture of the coat. Handstripping is the correct grooming method for this breed. It maintains the color and texture of the coat.
What kind of brush do you use on a Cairn Terrier?
Brush your cairn with a pin brush to untangle mats and smooth the dog’s coat. A pin brush is ideal for a cairn because it neatens the thick undercoat while simultaneously grooming the rough top coat. Apply firm, sweeping strokes across his coat, being sure to brush his belly and legs as well.
Should Terriers be trimmed?
Yes, Terriers need haircuts. Getting a haircut for your terrier isn’t solely about maintaining cleanliness or aesthetic appearance upkeep, there is a lot more to giving your pup a haircut that helps their physical health as well!

Should I shave my Cairn Terrier?
If your Cairn has very messy hair or mats, you might be tempted to shave them. However, since they are a double-coated breed, professional groomers do not recommend shaving Cairn Terriers. Shaving can damage a Cairn’s fur and have long-term negative side effects for new hair growth.
What is stripping a dog?
Hand stripping is a unique way to remove excess hair, or undercoat, from their dog’s coat, instead of the common grooming which is clipping or cutting the top layer of the hair on a dog’s coat. As the name describes, hand stripping is done by holding the hair and pulling from the root so a new coat is able to grow.
Can I use a furminator on a Cairn Terrier?
Some Cairn Terrier owners prefer to use the Furminator when grooming their dog. The Furminator is a useful tool for grooming the Cairn Terrier undercoat. You can use it safely by applying gentle, even pressure and short strokes. Make sure the dog’s fur is not wet when using it.
How often should you bathe Cairn Terrier?
Give your Cairn Terrier a full bath about every three months. You can also bring your dog to a professional groomer to get his coat stripped and trimmed, but this is not necessary unless you want to show them at a dog show.
Should I clip my Cairn Terrier?
Regular grooming helps prevent skin irritation and matting. Grooming can be by stripping or clipping. This is a personal choice unless your dog will be shown in conformation. If you plan to, or might plan to, show your dog, do not clip the coat.
How often should you strip a Cairn Terrier?
Show dog competitors will strip their Cairn’s fur at least two to three times annually. Cairn terriers that are “every day pets” can be stripped or clipped. Many pet owners prefer clipping, as it’s much easier and less time consuming than stripping.
What is terrier hand stripping?
Hand stripping is a grooming process that involves removing dead hairs from the coat by hand instead of clipping to keep the coat tidy and healthy. Usually completed twice a year in spring and autumn, it speeds up the natural process of growth and shedding.
Why does my Cairn Terrier look scruffy?
As your cairn terrier’s coat grows, his hair will begin to look a little scruffy around the edges. If you brush him regularly, you shouldn’t have to worry about mats, but he’ll need an occasional trim to stay neat and tidy.
Do Cairn terriers need grooming?
Cairn Terriers have a special double coat. The coat is insulating, water shedding and dirt repellent. An ungroomed Cairn has long, shaggy coat that ‘drops’ if grabbed. This was a useful quality for working terriers that may face unhappy quarry, but most Cairns today don’t need that shaggy look and are easiest to care for if kept groomed.
What kind of coat does a Cairn Terrier have?
Cairn terriers have a double coat: a soft, fluffy undercoat and a coarse topcoat. [6] Brush both coat layers. Use a slicker brush. You can find one at your local pet store.
How do you trim a Cairn Terrier tail?
A Cairn terrier’s tail has a characteristic cone shape. It will be easier to maintain this shape by pulling out the dead hair, rather than clipping the hair. [9] Pull the hair from the tail’s tip to the tail’s base. Be gentle with the pulling, since many Cairn terriers don’t like their tails being handled.