Cairn Terrier vs Glen of Imaal Terrier

A Cairn Terrier
Photo: Ketterechts
A Glen of Imaal Terrier
Photo: Irish-Terrier-2023

Side by side

Cairn Terrier
Glen of Imaal Terrier
Adult weight
6–7.5 kg (13–17 lb)1
Males 14–18 kg (31–40 lb); females 13–16 kg (29–35 lb) (breed club figure)2
Height
Males 28–31 cm; females 28–31 cm1
Males 31.8–35.6 cm; females 31.8–35.6 cm3
Lifespan
Median 14 years4
Median 12.1 years4
Fully grown
10 months, both sexes5
11 months, both sexes5
Group
Terriers6
Terriers7
Coat
Wire or harsh coat6
Coat of medium length7
Shedding
Holds loose hair until it is brushed or clipped out
Moults most as the seasons change
Grooming
A brush once a week
Brushing a few times a week
Exercise
A moderate amount
Health
Dry eye (much more likely)8
No sourced figure
Class
Family
Companion

Which suits you

Size
The Glen of Imaal Terrier is much larger: about 15 kg (34 lb) as an adult, against 6.8 kg (15 lb) for the Cairn Terrier.
Lifespan
In UK vet records the Cairn Terrier lives longer: a median of 14 years, against 12.1 for the Glen of Imaal Terrier.
Shedding
Their coats shed differently: the Cairn Terrier holds loose hair until it is brushed or clipped out, the Glen of Imaal Terrier moults most as the seasons change.
Grooming
The Glen of Imaal Terrier needs more grooming, brushing a few times a week, where the Cairn Terrier needs a brush once a week.
Temperament
They differ most on voice (Cairn Terrier: very vocal; Glen of Imaal Terrier: quiet) and on affection (Cairn Terrier: likes its own space; Glen of Imaal Terrier: affectionate on its own terms).
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

Cairn Terrier
Terriers · Small

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

Glen of Imaal Terrier
Terriers · Medium

In temperament the Glen is spirited and brave, but it is less excitable than many terriers and is often calm indoors.

The Cairn Terrier page →The Glen of Imaal Terrier page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Cairn Terrier
Glen of Imaal 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
Cairn Terrier
Glen of Imaal Terrier
Affection
Differs
Likes its own space
Affectionate on its own terms
Loyalty
Bonded to its family
Bonded to its family
Independence
Decides for itself
Decides for itself
Around the home
Cairn Terrier
Glen of Imaal Terrier
Sensitivity
Hardy, takes a busy home in its stride
Hardy, takes a busy home in its stride
Voice
Differs
Very vocal
Quiet
Prey drive
Likely to chase small pets
Likely to chase small pets
Breed explains only about 9% of how individual dogs differ in behaviour9. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home10,11.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
The Glen of Imaal Terrier grows to the heavier adult, about 16 kg against the Cairn Terrier's 6.8 kg.
Cairn Terrier
Glen of Imaal Terrier
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More comparisons

Compare the Cairn Terrier with
Cairn Terrier vs West Highland White TerrierBorder Terrier vs Cairn TerrierCairn Terrier vs Norwich TerrierAustralian Terrier vs Cairn TerrierCairn Terrier vs Norfolk TerrierAmerican Pit Bull Terrier vs Glen of Imaal TerrierAll breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·