Some haircut is necessary for Cairn – mainly to tidy him up rather than radically style his curls. If he is to be a show dog, his coat is not clipped with a clipper (such as a poodle’s coat) but is shortened or shaped by rubbing with a stripper knife. However, striptease is not necessary for a pet; clipping professionally two to three times a year is normal (although keep in mind that this practice softens the breed’s naturally coarse coat).