blueboyluca:Characteristically, the Cairn is reserved. This is chiefly due to the outdoor life which
blueboyluca:Characteristically, the Cairn is reserved. This is chiefly due to the outdoor life which his forebears led, when they were not pets, but workmen. When he has outgrown the playful blundering of his puppy days, the Cairn does not make friends with anyone and everyone. This, of course, brings about the greater loyalty in the end. Once he has been won, he is single-heartedly devoted to master or mistress, accepting strangers upon no better basis than cold politeness until their claim to his friendship has been proved.— Ernest H. Hart, Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds (1968) -- source link