Cairn Terrier vs Norwich Terrier

A Cairn Terrier
Photo: Ketterechts
A Norwich Terrier
Photo: Svenska Mässan from Sweden

Side by side

Cairn Terrier
Norwich Terrier
Adult weight
6–7.5 kg (13–17 lb)1
4.9–6 kg (11–13 lb) (estimated: ±10% around the AKC breed page's single 12 lb figure, one range for both sexes)
Height
Males 28–31 cm; females 28–31 cm1
No sourced figure
Lifespan
Median 14 years2
Fully grown
10 months, both sexes3
Group
Terriers4
Terriers5
Coat
Wire or harsh coat4
Wire or harsh coat5
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)6
No sourced figure
Class
Family
Companion

Which suits you

Size
The Cairn Terrier is a little larger on average: about 6.8 kg (15 lb) as an adult, against 5.5 kg (12 lb) for the Norwich Terrier.
Temperament
They differ most on affection (Cairn Terrier: likes its own space; Norwich Terrier: a lap or leaning dog) and on independence (Cairn Terrier: decides for itself; Norwich Terrier: cooperative, with its own ideas).
Alike
Both are rated the same on prey drive: likely to chase small pets.
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.

Norwich Terrier
Terriers · Small

The Norwich is affectionate, lively and fearless, with a strong urge to hunt and dig. It often worked in company with other dogs, and many get on well with them.

The Cairn Terrier page →The Norwich Terrier page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Cairn Terrier
Norwich 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
Norwich Terrier
Affection
Differs
Likes its own space
A lap or leaning dog
Loyalty
Differs
Bonded to its family
Friendly with everyone
Independence
Differs
Decides for itself
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Around the home
Cairn Terrier
Norwich Terrier
Sensitivity
Differs
Hardy, takes a busy home in its stride
Average
Voice
Differs
Very vocal
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 behaviour7. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home8,9.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
The Cairn Terrier grows to the heavier adult, about 6.8 kg against the Norwich Terrier's 5.5 kg. The Norwich Terrier's weight is not a published figure.
Cairn Terrier
Norwich Terrier
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More comparisons

Compare the Cairn Terrier with
Cairn Terrier vs West Highland White TerrierBorder Terrier vs Cairn TerrierAustralian Terrier vs Cairn TerrierNorwich Terrier vs West Highland White TerrierCairn Terrier vs Norfolk TerrierNorwich Terrier vs Yorkshire TerrierAll breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·