Cairn Terrier Price: One-Time Costs
When bringing home your new Cairn Terrier, the first topic regarding “cost” is always the price you to pay to actually get the dog. The price of a Cairn Terrier may vary depending on where you get the dog from, but you certainly have to determine your budget. One-time costs would include the purchase of your Cairn Terrier along with your initial supplies. Be sure to plan and do your research before making your buy to ensure that you don’t go beyond your budget!
Although Cairn Terriers are popular pets, there may be instances where you can get them for free. Sometimes you can get puppy or adult Cairn Terriers from families or owners who can no longer care for them, or maybe through rescue.
Dogs obtained through rescue may usually be older and may also have vague veterinary history or current health problems. Obtaining dogs through this route must be done with caution as follow-up veterinary services may end up costing more in the long run.
Cairn Terriers are popular, pure-bred dogs. But even as pure breeds, they can still end up in an animal shelter or rescues facilities. Just like many dogs in animal shelters, Cairn Terriers obtained through this route are generally older and have vague veterinary histories, that’s why it is important to probe on their history as best as possible through interview prior to adoption.
Most animal shelters provide proper care to their dogs, so should a Cairn Terrier have current health conditions then it will be disclosed, and proper action can be provided.
Should you decide to obtain your Cairn Terrier through the breeder route, expect that the cost will be a little higher than the previous routes. Although puppies from breeders may range from $1,200–$2,000, some Cairn Terriers with impressive bloodlines may cost up to $2,500!
Cairn Terriers from reputable breeders have extensive family and veterinary history and are well-cared for even prior to adoption. Most puppies already receive some amount of training, socialization, and have up-to-date vaccinations which may reduce cost in the long run. For this reason, it is important to find a reputable breeder.
Just like any pet, the purchase of the pet is not the only one-time cost you will have to pay. You will also have to pay for your Cairn Terrier’s initial supplies before even bringing him home! Being a small dog, a Cairn Terrier’s supplies are generally not as expensive as the bigger dogs.
If you already own or have owned another pet dog, then there will be items that you won’t have to buy again such as a brush, leash, or nail clippers to save a few bucks!
Additional Costs to Factor In
Additional costs and expenses that are not in your monthly budget may include emergency treatment of illnesses or accidents, pet sitters, or maybe enrolling your dog in training programs.
Illnesses and accident treatment costs may vary depending on the complication, so pet insurance is highly recommended. Pet sitters may cost around $25–$30 a day and enrolling your dog in training series may also cost around $300–$500 depending on where you are.
Cairn Terriers are energetic dogs. They are hunters and diggers, so there may be instances where they destroy furniture especially as puppies. Extra fees for replacing or repairing furniture might be needed, so be prepared!
Cost of feeding a Cairn Terrier
Cairn Terriers are small dogs, as adults weigh 14 lb. on average (usually 13 to 14 lb.). After combing through the prices of best-selling brands like Purina, Pedigree and Blue Buffalo, we estimate that the cost of feeding a Cairn puppy through its first year is likely to be $85 on average, as puppies will consume around 70 lb. of dry food for the year.
Adults generally eat 90 lb. a year depending on the type of food and brand, leading up to a yearly expense of $90 on average. Keep in mind that there can be a massive cost discrepancy between budget and premium brands.
| Yearly Food Cost | Range | Average Cost |
| Puppy | $50 – $130 | $85 |
| Adult Dog | $45 – $135 | $90 |
The dog owner will also probably want to treat his dog on a regular basis. After review of 27 best sellers on PetSmart, Walmart and Amazon, a cost estimation for the year has been made.
| Treats Cost | Range | Average Cost |
| Yearly Treats | $40 – $240 | $150 |
This cost estimation for treats is based on the premise that the dog gets one big treat every day. If you give your dog a treat every other day, you can divide these amounts by two. If it is once a week, divide them by seven, and so on. Enter the relevant information in the calculator at the end of the article to get your personalized cost estimate.
The following figures are based on the purchase of 70 lb. of dry food for the first year.
| Puppy Food Brands | Quantity per Bag | Number of Bags / Year | Unit Price | Total Price |
| Purina – Puppy Chow | 36 lb. | 2 | $27.78 (Walmart) | $55.56 |
| Purina One – Smart Blend Puppy | 16.5 lb. | 5 | $21.98 (Walmart) | $109.90 |
| Pedigree – Puppy | 36 lb. | 2 | $25.83 (Walmart) | $51.66 |
| Blue Buffalo – Puppy | 30 lb. | 3 | $44.08 (Amazon) | $132.24 |
One will probably need to buy around 90 lb. of food for each adult year of a Cairn Terrier.
| Adult Food Brands | Quantity per Bag | Number of Bags / Year | Unit Price | Total Price |
| Purina – Dog Chow | 50 lb. | 2 | $22.98 (Walmart) | $45.96 |
| Purina One – Smart Blend | 40 lb. | 3 | $40.36 (Walmart) | $121.08 |
| Pedigree – Adult | 50 lb. | 2 | $25.83 (Walmart) | $51.66 |
| Blue Buffalo – Adult | 30 lb. | 3 | $44.98 (Amazon) | $134.94 |
To make bigger savings, purchase in bulk. Although dog food is perishable, it can be stored for extended periods of time, making bulk purchases a practical and affordable option. Additionally, consider consulting your vet to decide what kind of food goes best for your Terrier.
Cairn Terrier. Pros and Cons, Price, How to choose, Facts, Care, History
A Cairn Terrier’s expense and responsibility must be considered before deciding to get one. It’s one thing to buy a dog, but you’ll also have to pay for its upkeep in the future, including food, medical care, and other necessities.
Even though the Cairn Terrier is renowned for being a smart and well-rounded family dog, can you afford its high upkeep and maintenance costs? To help you budget for your new pet, we’ve compiled a list of costs to keep in mind.