Cairn Terrier vs Norfolk Terrier
Side by side
Cairn Terrier
Norfolk Terrier
Fully grown
10 months, both sexes4
Shedding
Holds loose hair until it is brushed or clipped out
Grooming
A brush once a week
Exercise
A moderate amount
Health
Dry eye (much more likely)7
Melanoma of the eye or eyelid (much more likely); Mouth melanoma (more likely)8
Class
Family
Family
Which suits you
Size
The Cairn Terrier is a little larger: about 6.8 kg (15 lb) as an adult, against 5.2 kg (11 lb) for the Norfolk Terrier.
Temperament
They differ most on affection (Cairn Terrier: likes its own space; Norfolk Terrier: affectionate on its own terms) and on independence (Cairn Terrier: decides for itself; Norfolk Terrier: cooperative, with its own ideas).
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.
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.
Norfolk Terrier
Terriers · Small
In temperament it is bold, alert and inquisitive but not quarrelsome, and generally sociable. It keeps a strong terrier urge to dig and to chase small animals.
Breed traits
Day to day
Cairn Terrier
Norfolk 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
Norfolk Terrier
Affection
Differs
Likes its own space
Affectionate on its own terms
Loyalty
Bonded to its family
Bonded to its family
Independence
Differs
Decides for itself
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Around the home
Cairn Terrier
Norfolk Terrier
Sensitivity
Hardy, takes a busy home in its stride
Hardy, takes a busy home in its stride
Voice
Differs
Very vocal
Barks to alert, then settles
Prey drive
Likely to chase small pets
Likely to chase small pets
Puppy growth
Reference curves · both sexes
Summary
Detail
The Cairn Terrier grows to the heavier adult, about 6.8 kg against the Norfolk Terrier's 5.2 kg.
Cairn Terrier
Norfolk Terrier
More comparisons
Compare the Cairn Terrier with
Sources
- 1The Kennel Club. Cairn Terrier breed standard. ↑
- 2American Kennel Club. Norfolk Terrier breed standard. ↑
- 3
- 4Hawthorne et al., 2004. Body-weight changes during growth in puppies of different breeds. Journal of Nutrition 134(8 Suppl): 2027S–2030S (WALTHAM). ↑
- 5
- 6
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- 8
- 9Morrill et al., 2022. Ancestry-inclusive dog genomics challenges popular breed stereotypes. Science 376: eabk0639 (Darwin's Ark). ↑
- 10Dogs Trust. Finding a good, responsible breeder. ↑
- 11American Kennel Club. Screening puppy buyers: how top breeders find the best homes. ↑
- 12
Parts of this page were written by AI ·