The Cairn Terrier has a fascinating background and is a modern attempt to preserve the old time working terrier of the Isle of Skye. Known for diving after otter, foxes and other vermin from rocks, cliffs and ledges on the wild shores, these terriers are truly fearless and tenacious.
They are such smart and curious little dogs, and therefore require a great deal of consistent and discipline focused training from the get go. My best advice would be to speak with as many breeders as possible and gain perspective as to whether this little dog would be a good fit for your family or not.
Cairn Terriers need a lot of guidance as they often bolt after whatever they're focused on without considering their current surroundings. This is not the kind of dog to put and leave in the back yard, they need a very specific job and daily exercise.
These little dogs make great agility partners, and also do well with tracking and terrier trials! A regular amount of challenging activity is what these little guys need in order to listen and follow along with household boundaries. Leash training from a young age is necessary as they often bolt past boundaries and can't always be trusted in an open field.