The only "Tools" necessary for trimming a Cairn is "Thumb and Finger", a pair of scissors (to trim around the feet only) plus hard bristle brush, a coarse open comb, a good photograph or picture of a well presented Cairn should be on hand to study and copy.

Begin by brushing the coat in the opposite direction to the normal lay of hair i.e. , from the tail to the head, from the feet up to body, from the underside of the body up to the top line. Now repeat this exercise but brush in the normal direction and lay of the coat i.e. from head to tail etc. . Having done this, now use the comb and go over all parts of the body combing in the normal direction, remembering to comb out all "klits" (knots). Stand back and be very critical in what you see, is there too much furnishings on your Cairn making it appear too heavy or cloddy!!

Start with the head. Shorten the hair slightly above the stop by plucking out some of those long hairs. This will give the appearance of more definition to the stop, also allowingfor the head furnishings to fall forward but not to lie flat hiding the expression of the eyes. Pluck out all those long straggly dead hairs (which have gone a lighter shade in colour) around the side of the head and shape by plucking to give a rounded frame to the head. The head of a Cairn when properly trimmed should resemble a "Chrysanthemus".

Ears should have all the long hair plucked approx 1/3rd from the tip to the base, leaving fine close hair. the inner edge of ear should also have the long hair removed, DO NOT USE SCISSORS, you can obtain good results with Thumb and Fingers.

Neck. Pluck out those long dead hairs to emphasise the neck, remembering to blend fluently the neck into the top line.

Body. Study the top line, as this should be as level as possible, take out those hairs that spoil the picture. too much hair over the hind-quarters can give the wrong impression. Blend in the top line to the base of the tail. Hair on the sides of the body should blend and fall over the elbows.

Front legs. These should be shaped by plucking, leaving slightly morehair at the top and then tapering to the heel of the foot.

Back legs. Remove those long hair that spoil the shape of the bend of stifle, do not overtrim.

Tail. Pluck out those long hairs that make it a "Flag" and shape the tail to that of an "upturned carrot", keep in mind that the tip of the tail is very sensitive, so only a few hairs at a time.

Take a tip. When trimming, pluck only a few hairs at a time, stand back and take a look then proceed "but slowly".

Trimming feet, and this is the only time that you may use scissors. Shape the hair around the foot to give a neat appearance. There should be no need to cut back nails if you have exercised your Cairn correctly.

To give your Cairn the final touch for the show ring, the night before the show, dust the coat lightly with one of the special grooming/cleaning powders, but remember to brush all traces out of the coat. This will enhance the "bloom" of the coat and also you will be assured of a clean and nicely smelling Cairn to present to the judge, something present day exhibitors seem to forget. Do not use Hair Lacquer in the preparation of your Cairn, this is a real Terrier, not a "Lap Dog".