AKC describes Cairns as happy, busy little earthdogs who like a place to explore and dig. That curiosity is the main thing to plan for at a kennel.
Little dog, easy fit
At 13 or 14 pounds a Cairn rattles around in nothing smaller than Economy, which gives about 16 square feet inside plus 48 outside. Two Cairns from one home share for $52 plus $44, which is about 15 percent off the second.
The shaggy coat
The coat is double and wiry, medium in length, with a rough outer layer and soft undercoat. AKC puts both shedding and coat care at 2 of 5, on the easy end. The 2024 chart gives $35 for Double Coated at 15 pounds or less, or $30 if your Cairn is stripped short and reads as Medium. Please ask to confirm.
Digging, exploring
As earthdogs, Cairns sniff and scratch at everything. The outside half of the run, the play areas and the grass field give that instinct a safe outlet. AKC rates energy at 3 of 5, moderate.
Warm afternoons
Dense fur is a lot for a small dog in the Central Valley sun, where Vacaville logs about 100 days a year at 90 degrees or more. The air-conditioned inside half of the run keeps a Cairn comfortable, and the doggie door lets the dog choose.
What it costs
A weekend of two nights is 2 x $52 on the 2026 rates. At 14 nights or more the rate is $47 a night.
Meeting the run first
A tour is the easiest way to judge whether a Cairn will be happy here. Tours run every day, 9 to 11 AM and 2 to 4 PM, with no appointment, and a staff member walks with you past the runs and play areas. Check-out is by 11:30 AM, and an afternoon pick-up is half of the nightly fee. Those details help when you plan a trip around a small dog's routine, because a Cairn likes to know when the next walk is coming.
Paperwork
Bring records for rabies, distemper/parvo and Bordetella that stay good through the last day. Canine influenza is recommended but not required. Request a stay online or call 707-678-6600.