Airedale Terrier vs Welsh Terrier

An Airedale Terrier
Photo: Michail Jungierek
A Welsh Terrier
Photo: Shleiderbmx

Side by side

Airedale Terrier
Welsh Terrier
Adult weight
23–32 kg (50–70 lb) (breed club figure)1
9–9.5 kg (20–21 lb)2
Lifespan
Median 12 years3
Median 13.8 years3
Fully grown
11 months, both sexes4
10 months, both sexes4
Group
Terriers5
Terriers6
Coat
Wire or harsh coat5
Wire or harsh coat6
Shedding
Holds loose hair until it is brushed or clipped out
Grooming
A brush once a week
Exercise
A moderate amount
Health
Mouth melanoma (more likely); Skin melanoma (more likely)7
Class
Family
Companion

Which suits you

Size
The Airedale Terrier is far larger: about 27 kg (60 lb) as an adult, against 9.3 kg (20 lb) for the Welsh Terrier.
Lifespan
In UK vet records the Welsh Terrier lives longer: a median of 13.8 years, against 12 for the Airedale Terrier.
Temperament
They differ most on affection (Airedale Terrier: affectionate on its own terms; Welsh Terrier: likes its own space) and on intelligence (Airedale Terrier: needs daily brain work; Welsh Terrier: learns readily, likes games).
Alike
Both are rated the same on independence: decides for itself.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
Take the breed matcher

What they're like

Airedale Terrier
Terriers · Large

In temperament the Airedale is confident, alert and lively, with the independent streak of a working terrier. It tends to stay playful well into adulthood and to be watchful with strangers.

Welsh Terrier
Terriers · Small

In temperament the Welsh Terrier is lively, friendly and quick to learn, with a terrier's independence and keenness to dig and chase. It is often described as steadier than many terriers.

The Airedale Terrier page →The Welsh Terrier page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Airedale Terrier
Welsh Terrier
Activity
Differs
Needs lots of exercise
A good daily walk and play
Intelligence
Differs
Needs daily brain work
Learns readily, likes games
Handler demand
Differs
Needs an experienced owner
Needs steady training
With people
Airedale Terrier
Welsh Terrier
Affection
Differs
Affectionate on its own terms
Likes its own space
Loyalty
Bonded to its family
Bonded to its family
Independence
Decides for itself
Decides for itself
Around the home
Airedale Terrier
Welsh Terrier
Sensitivity
Hardy, takes a busy home in its stride
Hardy, takes a busy home in its stride
Voice
Barks to alert, then settles
Barks to alert, then settles
Prey drive
Likely to chase small pets
Likely to chase small pets
Breed explains only about 9% of how individual dogs differ in behaviour8. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home9,10.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
The Airedale Terrier grows to the heavier adult, about 27 kg against the Welsh Terrier's 9.3 kg.
Airedale Terrier
Welsh Terrier
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More comparisons

Compare the Airedale Terrier with
Lakeland Terrier vs Welsh TerrierAiredale Terrier vs Standard SchnauzerWire Fox Terrier vs Welsh TerrierIrish Terrier vs Welsh TerrierAiredale Terrier vs Giant SchnauzerAiredale Terrier vs Irish TerrierAll breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·