If you choose to bathe you Cairn Terrier at home, make sure that you don’t over do it!! Excessive bathing can be harmful. Think of your Cairn’s coat as a specially designed storm jacket and you’ll understand why. The detergents in shampoos will cause the outer coat to lose its natural oils, along with its ability to protect against rain, sleet, and snow.

Frequent bathing dries out the hair and skin, which encourages doggie odor, allergies, and skin problems.

Of course, because Cairns love to romp outdoors, there are times when washing is a necessity. Be sure to assemble your supplies – shampoo, washcloth, towels, faucet attachment, bath mat, and hair dryer – so you won’t have to look for them with a wet dog in tow.

Use a shampoo formulated for harsh-coated dogs—and avoid conditioners—to maintain the proper coarse texture of the coat.

To begin the bath, stand your dog on a rubber mat in the sink or tub. Thoroughly wet the coat with tepid, never hot, water. Apply a dab of shampoo to the dog’s back and develop a good lather. Make certain to soap right down to the skin. Working from back to front, wash the rear legs, feet, and tail. Then, move to the chest, belly, and front legs.

After you complete the body, carefully wet the head. Don’t let water get in the eyes, ears, or nostrils. Some owners place cotton balls in their dogs’ ears to protect the canals from soapy water. Clean the face with a wet washcloth.

The most important stage of the bath is the rinse. Allow the water to run clear, washing away all soapy residue. Finally, wrap a large towel around your dog and pat him dry. To guard against chilling, you’ll need to use a hair dryer set on low. Hold the dryer with one hand as you brush with the other. Move the dryer over the coat until your dog is completely dry.

Dry with the direction of hair growth, so your Cairn won’t look too fluffy. Between full baths, which should be given only a few times a year, you can tidy your pet by using unscented baby wipes.

The booklet “Cairn Terrier Grooming Start to Finish”, published by the Cairn Terrier Club of America, suggests cleaning the outer coat by lightly spraying it with a mixture of rubbing alcohol and water, or vinegar and water, and brushing with the hair growth.

This is an excellent way to prepare dogs for the show ring because it doesn’t soften the coat or increase shedding. It can dry the coat, though, it shouldn’t be used for routine grooming. Commercial waterless shampoos and grooming powders also are available in pet supply stores.

Toenail Clipping After Bath Time

Although most Cairn Terriers vigorously protest having their toenails clipped, this is an important part of proper grooming. Long nails interfere with a Cairn’s ability to stand properly on his toes, which may lead to a distorted gait, and they are also more likely to snag or break during play.

Ideally, the nail tip should not touch the floor when a dog is standing in a natural pose. Cut the nails every week or two with a nail clipper designed for small dogs, or grind the tip of the nail with a Dremel device.

To begin, gently but firmly grasp one of his feet. Push away stray hairs, and then position the clipper just over the tip of the nail. Close with a firm snap to cut the nail. Never trim more than an eighth of an inch (.25 cm) at a time. Be careful not to cut the quick, the sensitive area running the length of the nail that contains nerves and blood supply.

The quick is difficult to see in dark-colored nails, so trim only the portion of the nail that curves downward. If the nail starts to bleed, apply styptic powder to the nail tip or use a nail cautery device to stop the flow. After you have clipped all the nails—and the dewclaws, if present—smooth the rough edges with an emery board.

Be sure to trim the hair that grows over the foot pads to prevent your Cairn Terrier from slipping on smooth floors.