I'm TJ G., the breeder behind Stone & Thistle Cairn Terriers located in St. Joseph, MO. At Stone & Thistle, we specialize in breeding Cairn Terriers with a focus on health, temperament, and early socialization. All puppies are raised in our home, ensuring they are well-adjusted and ready to join loving families. With years of experience, we prioritize the best start for each puppy.
Q. & A. with TJ
Why did you start breeding?
Cairn Terriers started as a family adventure, a way to teach our children the values of responsibility, care, and the joys of raising animals. It brought us closer as a family, sharing the experience of nurturing and caring for our pets and puppies. Over the years, what began as a family project turned into a lifelong passion for us, with every litter becoming a cherished part of our lives!
What makes your program special?
We focus on quality over quantity, with all our Cairn Terriers raised in our home as part of the family. We’ve been dedicated to this breed since 1997, ensuring each puppy gets the attention, care, and early socialization they need. We embrace technology to streamline communication, making us responsive and efficient. With limited litters, our pups receive the best start in life!
What are the different breed coat colors in your program?
Our puppies include wheaten brindle, wheaten, silver wheaten, silver brindle, silver, red brindle, red wheaten, gray brindle, red, gray, cream brindle, cream, brindle, black brindle, and black. Colors will vary depending on the parent dogs.
Where do your breeding dogs live?
They live in my home.
Matched dogs
These dogs are already reserved or have gone home.
Winston
Reserved
Male
Isla
Reserved
Female
Hamish
Reserved
Male
Maple
Went home
Female
Willow
Went home
Female
Ash
Went home
Male
Hickory
Went home
Male
Coco
Went home
Female
Lola
Went home
Female
Pippa
Went home
Female
Isla
Went home
Female
Chloe
Went home
Female
Clover
Went home
Female
Angus
Went home
Male
Skye
Went home
Female
Wren
Went home
Female
Sparky
Went home
Male
Rocky
Went home
Male
Bear
Went home
Male
Toto
Went home
Male
Sandy
Went home
Female
Getting a puppy from TJ
TJ has been certified by Good Dog’s screening team for responsible and trusted breeding practices. When you’re ready to reach out, feel free to ask any questions about the breed, their program, or specific puppies.
Together, you’ll choose the puppy that’s right for you, stay in touch with regular updates, and plan how to bring your new puppy home.
Price
Puppy prices include a $550 non-refundable deposit and between $950 - $2,250 final payment, before taxes & fees.
Pay over time with Klarna.
“This price includes our health guarantee, all medications and vaccinations up to the date of delivery, any prior checkups, and a box full of goodies from us to you! All puppies are the priced the same, regardless of any individual characteristics.”
Contract & health guarantee
TJ may provide a written contract or
health guarantee when you purchase a puppy. This helps
protect both you and your breeder, ensuring that you
both have a clear understanding of the terms of your
puppy purchase. If TJ offers a contract
or guarantee, the details will be personalized by them.
If you have any questions or want to know more,
don’t hesitate to reach out to TJ directly.
Stone & Thistle Cairn Terriers meets or exceeds our community standards in these areas:
Responsible breeding practices
Health of breeding dogs and puppies
Puppy environment and enrichment
Buyer education and policies
Parent dogs
Cher, mom
Cairn Terrier
About Cher
Cher is a stunning gray-brindle Cairn Terrier with a sweet, nurturing side that shines in everything she does! True to her breed, Cher is spirited and intelligent, with a keen curiosity for the world around her. While she loves a good adventure, she also has a calm and affectionate demeanor, making her a wonderful companion. Cher is attentive and patient with her puppies, ensuring they grow up confident and well-socialized. Her strong Cairn instincts make her sharp and clever, and her loving nature ensures she’s always ready to cuddle up with her family!
Knox, mom
Cairn Terrier
About Knox
Knox is an exceptional mother with a strong, spirited heart and a warm, watchful nature. True to the Cairn Terrier breed, she’s confident, alert, and always eager to explore—but what makes her truly special is her deep loyalty and affectionate personality. Knox is incredibly attentive to her puppies, balancing her protective instincts with a gentle touch that helps them feel safe and secure as they grow. Around people, she’s outgoing and friendly, always ready to greet you with a wagging tail and a spark of curiosity in her eyes. Knox brings together the best qualities of a classic Cairn Terrier—clever, courageous, and full of character—making her an invaluable part of the Stone & Thistle family and a joy to be around every day!
Sonny, dad
Cairn Terrier
About Sonny
Sonny is a vibrant red-wheaten Cairn Terrier with a big personality and an even bigger heart. Full of the breed’s characteristic spunk and energy, Sonny is always ready for playtime or a romp in the yard! He’s bold and adventurous, with a nose for mischief and a love of exploring new things. Despite his lively nature, Sonny is deeply loyal and enjoys forming close bonds with his family. His cheerful disposition and fearless attitude make him a standout, and he passes down his playful yet devoted personality to his puppies!
Good health testing
Animal Genetics Panel.
Murphy, mom
Cairn Terrier
About Murphy
Murphy is a striking Silver Brindle Cairn Terrier with a calm confidence and a heart full of loyalty. She’s a devoted mother who raises her puppies with a perfect balance of gentleness and structure, passing along her steady temperament and classic Cairn intelligence. Murphy is friendly, even-tempered, and always tuned in to the people around her—traits that make her just as much a companion as she is a cornerstone of our breeding program. Whether she’s exploring the yard or quietly relaxing by your side, Murphy brings a peaceful, grounded presence to every room she’s in. We’re proud to have her as part of the Stone & Thistle Cairn Terriers family.
Harris, mom
Cairn Terrier
About Harris
Harris is a spirited and devoted mother with a heart full of personality. True to her Cairn Terrier roots, she’s bold, curious, and always up for an adventure—but what makes Harris truly special is her affectionate and nurturing nature. She’s incredibly attentive to her puppies, giving them the perfect balance of structure and freedom to grow into confident little companions. Around people, Harris is friendly and engaging, with a clever spark that makes her both entertaining and endearing. She’s a beautiful example of the breed—intelligent, loyal, and full of charm—and a treasured part of our family here at Stone & Thistle Cairn Terriers!
Wilson, dad
Cairn Terrier
About Wilson
Wilson is a confident, well-built Cairn Terrier with an easygoing, affectionate personality. He’s playful and alert, always eager to engage with people or explore his surroundings—but what truly sets him apart is his steady, even temperament. Wilson gets along wonderfully with other dogs and loves spending time with people of all ages. He brings excellent structure, intelligence, and a gentle nature to his litters, making him a valuable part of our breeding program here at Stone & Thistle Cairn Terriers. His puppies consistently inherit his charm, confidence, and classic Cairn character!
Parent health testing
Breeder-Reported Testing
Great level
Stone & Thistle Cairn Terriers reports to performing the health tests below on their breeding dogs. Ask your breeder about the tests performed on the parents of your litter. Learn more about health testing for Cairn Terriers.
Hip Dysplasia (rDVM, not registered)
Hip testing reduces the chance of passing down hip dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause hip pain and the eventual loss of the function of the hip joint.
Elbow Dysplasia (rDVM, not registered)
Elbow testing reduces the chance of passing down elbow dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause arthritis in the elbow joint and front leg lameness.
Eye Examination (rDVM, not registered with OFA), Eye Certification (CAER, registered with OFA)
Eye testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide range of hereditary eye illnesses including retinal dysplasia, lens luxation, and glaucoma, which can cause impared vision or blindness.
Cardiac Evaluation (rDVM, not registered with OFA), Cardiac Evaluation (registered with OFA)
Heart testing reduces the chance of passing down congenital heart disease, which can cause a range of symptoms ranging from trouble exercising to heart failure.
Patellar Luxation
Knee testing reduces the chance of passing down Patellar Luxation, which results in the kneecap becoming displaced or dislocated and can cause mild to severe joint pain.
DNA Disease Panel, Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy (GCL), Terrier Type
Genetic testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide variety of hereditary diseases of differing prevalence and severity such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (an eye disease) and Von Willebrand's Disease (a blood disease).
Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.