Is the Airedale Terrier Better than the Borzoi as a Pet? Our Answer.

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Airedale Terrier Versus Borzoi: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Airedale Terrier and the Borzoi? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Airedale Terrier and the Borzoi better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Airedale Terrier and the Borzoi.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Airedale Terrier and the Borzoi is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Airedale Terrier and for the Borzoi. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Airedale Terrier and the Borzoi.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Airedale Terrier or the Borzoi.

Airedale Terrier versus Borzoi: Overview

A very important difference between the Airedale Terrier and the Borzoi is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Airedale Terrier is a medium-sized dog while the Borzoi is a giant-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Airedale Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

On the other hand, the Borzoi belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

Airedale Terrier versus Borzoi: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Airedale Terrier to the Borzoi based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Airedale Terrier and the Borzoi

FactorAiredale TerrierBorzoi
Adapts Well To Apartment Living1/55/5
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Life Span10 to 13 years10 to 12 years
Good For Novice Owners2/53/5
Tolerates Being Alone2/51/5
Does NOT Shed4/51/5
Easy To Groom2/54/5
Height21 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder26 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder
Easygoing3/51/5
Tolerates Cold Weather3/54/5
Tolerates Hot Weather3/53/5
Friendly Toward Strangers3/54/5
General Health3/54/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor3/54/5
Affectionate With Family4/54/5
Kid-Friendly4/53/5
Dog Friendly4/54/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/54/5
Easy To Train4/53/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl2/54/5
Tendency NOT to Wander2/52/5
Weight40 to 65 pounds55 to 105 pounds
Intelligence5/54/5
Does NOT chew on things1/53/5
Low Prey Drive1/51/5
NOT Rambunctious1/54/5
Minimal Exercise Needs1/54/5
Potential For Playfulness5/53/5
Average Lifespan11.5 years11.0 years
Average Price$1400$1560
Price Range$1000 – $1800$1500 – $1500
Temperament Score78.2 percent90.1 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)2975

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Airedale Terrier in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Borzoi. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Airedale Terrier is 70 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Borzoi is 82 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Borzoi is a better pet than the Airedale Terrier. So, you should get the Borzoi!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Airedale Terrier and the Borzoi so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Airedale Terrier and the Borzoi

    Below is a list of where the Airedale Terrier and the Borzoi are most different:

    • Airedale Terriers do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Borzois adapt well to apartment living.
    • Airedale Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies. However, Borzois shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
    • Airedale Terriers have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy. However, Borzois have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time.
    • Airedale Terriers require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise. However, Borzois have low exercise needs.

    The Similarities Between the Airedale Terrier and the Borzoi

    The Airedale Terrier and the Borzoi are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Airedale Terrier and the Borzoi are most similar:

    • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Borzoi do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Borzoi are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
    • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Borzoi do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Borzoi are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Borzoi get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Borzoi get along well with other dogs.
    • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Borzoi are very easy to train.
    • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Borzoi have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
    • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Borzoi are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Borzoi have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Size Comparison of Airedale Terrier versus Borzoi

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Airedale Terrier and the Borzoi.

    Airedale Terriers weigh 40 to 65 pounds when fully grown. Airedale Terriers are 21 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Borzois weigh 55 to 105 pounds when fully grown. Borzois are 26 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Airedale Terrier versus Borzoi

    The lifespan of Airedale Terriers is between 10 to 13 years. The average lifespan of Airedale Terriers is 11.5 years.

    The lifespan of Borzois is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Borzois is 11.0 years.

    Airedale Terriers live longer than Borzois.

    Temperament of the Airedale Terrier Versus the Borzoi

    The Borzoi has a better temperament than the Airedale Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Borzoi is 90.1 percent while the temperament score for the Airedale Terrier is 78.2 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 78.2 percent, the Airedale Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 90.1 percent, the Borzoi has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Airedale Terrier and the Borzoi by measuring the temperaments of 110 Airedale Terriers and 111 Borzois.

    Price of Airedale Terrier versus Price of Borzoi

    The average price of the Airedale Terrier puppy is $1400. The price of the Airedale Terrier typically ranges from $1000 – $1800. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 208 Airedale Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Borzoi puppy is $1560. The price of the Borzoi typically ranges from $1500 – $1500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 7 Borzoi puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Borzoi is more expensive than the Airedale Terrier.

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Airedale Terrier and Borzoi. For different price points, the charts show how many Airedale Terrier puppies or how many Borzoi puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Airedale Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Airedale Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Borzois

    A breakdown of the prices of Borzois

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Airedale Terrier puppy or the Borzoi puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    The Intelligence of the Airedale Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Borzoi

    `
    Airedale Terrier Borzoi
    Intelligence Rank 29 out of 130 dog breeds 75 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More!

    Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.

    According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
    • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
    • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
    • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.

    Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.

    This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.

    To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.

    Prof. Coren found that the Airedale Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 29 out of 130 dog breeds. The Airedale Terrier belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Airedale Terriers tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions.

    The Borzoi has an obedience intelligence rank of 75 out of 130 dog breeds. The Borzoi belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Borzois tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.

    The Airedale Terrier is more intelligent than the Borzoi.

    However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.

    Health Problems of Airedale Terrier versus Health Problems of Borzoi

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Airedale Terrier and the Borzoi are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Borzoi is prone to more genetic health problems than the Airedale Terrier.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Borzoi than for the Airedale Terrier.

    5 health tests are recommended for Airedale Terrier while 6 tests are recommended for the Borzoi.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Airedale Terriers and in Borzois.

    Airedale Terrier Health Problems

    Airedale Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Airedale Terrier puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Airedale Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Airedale Terrier breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Airedale Terriers for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Airedale Terriers here.

    Borzoi Health Problems

    Borzois are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Borzoi puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Borzoi puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Borzoi breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Borzois for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Borzois here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Airedale Terrier versus Borzoi

    Airedale Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Borzois do not like to be left alone.

    Do Airedale Terriers shed more than Borzois?

    Airedale Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Borzois shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Airedale Terrier or the Borzoi

    Airedale Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Borzois do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Airedale Terrier or the Borzoi?

    Airedale Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Borzois are very easy to groom.

    Does the Airedale Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Borzoi?

    Airedale Terriers have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Borzois have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Do Airedale Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Borzois?

    Airedale Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Borzois are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Airedale Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Borzois Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Airedale Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Borzois can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Airedale Terrier vs. Borzoi

    Airedale Terriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Borzois have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Airedale Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Borzois Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Airedale Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Borzois can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Airedale Terrier or the Borzoi?

    Airedale Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Borzois get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Airedale Terriers good family dogs? What about Borzois?

    Airedale Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Borzois are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Airedale Terriers and Borzois?

    Airedale Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Borzois get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Is the Airedale Terrier Easier to Train than the Borzoi?

    Airedale Terriers are very easy to train.

    Borzois are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Airedale Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Borzoi?

    Airedale Terriers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Borzois adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Airedale Terrier or the Borzoi?

    Airedale Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Borzois are OK for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Airedale Terrier versus Borzoi. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Airedale Terrier and the Borzoi better suits you and your family.