Border Terrier vs Cairn Terrier

A Border Terrier
Photo: Samuel Cockman
A Cairn Terrier
Photo: Ketterechts

Side by side

Border Terrier
Cairn Terrier
Adult weight
Males 9.6–12.3 kg (21–27 lb); females 8.2–10.3 kg (18–23 lb) (measured in UK vet records, n = 1,161, middle 50%)1
6–7.5 kg (13–17 lb)2
Height
Males 30.5–38.1 cm; females 30.5–38.1 cm (breed club figure)3
Males 28–31 cm; females 28–31 cm2
Lifespan
Median 14.2 years4
Median 14 years4
Fully grown
10 months, both sexes5
Group
Terriers6
Terriers7
Coat
Wire or harsh coat6
Wire or harsh coat7
Shedding
Holds loose hair until it is brushed or clipped out
Grooming
A brush once a week
Exercise
A moderate amount
Health
Cushing's syndrome (much more likely); Corneal ulcers (more likely)8,9
Dry eye (much more likely)10
Class
Family
Family

Which suits you

Size
The Border Terrier is larger: about 10 kg (22 lb) as an adult, against 6.8 kg (15 lb) for the Cairn Terrier.
Temperament
They differ most on affection (Border Terrier: affectionate on its own terms; Cairn Terrier: likes its own space) and on independence (Border Terrier: cooperative, with its own ideas; Cairn Terrier: decides for itself).
Alike
Both are rated the same on sensitivity: hardy, takes a busy home in its stride.
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

Border Terrier
Terriers · Small

In temperament the Border is good-natured and determined, with a strong urge to chase small animals. It is often described as less quarrelsome with other dogs than many terriers.

Cairn Terrier
Terriers · Small

In temperament the Cairn is bold, inquisitive and self-reliant. It can be vocal and is keen to dig.

The Border Terrier page →The Cairn Terrier page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Border Terrier
Cairn Terrier
Activity
A good daily walk and play
A good daily walk and play
Intelligence
Learns readily, likes games
Learns readily, likes games
Handler demand
Needs steady training
Needs steady training
With people
Border Terrier
Cairn Terrier
Affection
Differs
Affectionate on its own terms
Likes its own space
Loyalty
Differs
Friendly with everyone
Bonded to its family
Independence
Differs
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Decides for itself
Around the home
Border Terrier
Cairn Terrier
Sensitivity
Hardy, takes a busy home in its stride
Hardy, takes a busy home in its stride
Voice
Differs
Barks to alert, then settles
Very vocal
Prey drive
Likely to chase small pets
Likely to chase small pets
Breed explains only about 9% of how individual dogs differ in behaviour11. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home12,13.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
The Border Terrier grows to the heavier adult, about 10 kg against the Cairn Terrier's 6.8 kg.
Border Terrier
Cairn Terrier
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More comparisons

Compare the Border Terrier with
Cairn Terrier vs West Highland White TerrierBorder Terrier vs Parson Russell TerrierCairn Terrier vs Norwich TerrierAustralian Terrier vs Cairn TerrierBorder Terrier vs Jack Russell TerrierBorder Terrier vs Norfolk TerrierAll breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·