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

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Airedale Terrier Versus Bull Terrier: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Airedale Terrier and the Bull Terrier? 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 Bull Terrier 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 Bull Terrier.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Airedale Terrier and the Bull Terrier 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 Bull Terrier. 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 Bull Terrier.

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 Bull Terrier.

Airedale Terrier versus Bull Terrier: Overview

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

Furthermore, both the Airedale Terrier and the Bull Terrier are Terrier Dogs. This means both the Airedale Terrier and the Bull Terrier 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.

Airedale Terrier versus Bull Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Airedale Terrier to the Bull Terrier 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 Bull Terrier

FactorAiredale TerrierBull Terrier
Adapts Well To Apartment Living1/54/5
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Life Span10 to 13 years10 to 15 years
Good For Novice Owners2/53/5
Tolerates Being Alone2/52/5
Does NOT Shed4/53/5
Easy To Groom2/55/5
Height21 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder21 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder
Easygoing3/51/5
Tolerates Cold Weather3/51/5
Tolerates Hot Weather3/54/5
Friendly Toward Strangers3/55/5
General Health3/54/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor3/51/5
Affectionate With Family4/55/5
Kid-Friendly4/55/5
Dog Friendly4/54/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/51/5
Easy To Train4/55/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl2/55/5
Tendency NOT to Wander2/51/5
Weight40 to 65 pounds35 to 75 pounds
Intelligence5/54/5
Does NOT chew on things1/52/5
Low Prey Drive1/52/5
NOT Rambunctious1/52/5
Minimal Exercise Needs1/51/5
Potential For Playfulness5/55/5
Average Lifespan11.5 years12.5 years
Average Price$1400$1800
Price Range$1000 – $1800$1300 – $2000
Temperament Score78.2 percent91.6 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Kidney Disease
  • Patellar Luxation
    • Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)2966

    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 Bull Terrier. 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 Bull Terrier is 80 out of 125.

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

    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 Bull Terrier 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 Bull Terrier

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

    • Airedale Terriers do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Bull Terriers adapt well to apartment living.
    • Airedale Terriers require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Bull Terriers are very easy to groom.
    • Airedale Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Bull Terriers are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.

    The Similarities Between the Airedale Terrier and the Bull Terrier

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

    • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Bull Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Bull Terrier are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
    • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Bull Terrier do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Bull Terrier do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
    • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Bull Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Bull Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Bull Terrier get along well with other dogs.
    • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Bull Terrier gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
    • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Bull Terrier are very easy to train.
    • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Bull Terrier have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
    • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Bull Terrier are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Bull Terrier are prone to nip and chew at things.
    • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Bull Terrier have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
    • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Bull Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Bull Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Bull Terrier are very playful.

    Size Comparison of Airedale Terrier versus Bull Terrier

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

    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, Bull Terriers weigh 35 to 75 pounds when fully grown. Bull Terriers are 21 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Airedale Terrier versus Bull Terrier

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

    The lifespan of Bull Terriers is between 10 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Bull Terriers is 12.5 years.

    Bull Terriers live longer than Airedale Terriers.

    Temperament of the Airedale Terrier Versus the Bull Terrier

    The Bull Terrier has a better temperament than the Airedale Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Bull Terrier is 91.6 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 91.6 percent, the Bull Terrier has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Airedale Terrier and the Bull Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 110 Airedale Terriers and 83 Bull Terriers.

    Price of Airedale Terrier versus Price of Bull Terrier

    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 Bull Terrier puppy is $1800. The price of the Bull Terrier typically ranges from $1300 – $2000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 131 Bull Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Bull Terrier is more expensive than the Airedale Terrier.

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Airedale Terrier and Bull Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Airedale Terrier puppies or how many Bull Terrier 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 Bull Terriers

    A breakdown of the prices of Bull Terriers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Airedale Terrier puppy or the Bull Terrier 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 Bull Terrier

    `
    Airedale Terrier Bull Terrier
    Intelligence Rank 29 out of 130 dog breeds 66 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 Repetitions!

    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 Bull Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 66 out of 130 dog breeds. The Bull Terrier belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Bull Terriers tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 repetitions!.

    The Airedale Terrier is more intelligent than the Bull Terrier.

    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 Bull Terrier

    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 Bull Terrier 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 Airedale Terrier is prone to more genetic health problems than the Bull Terrier.

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

    5 health tests are recommended for Airedale Terrier while 4 tests are recommended for the Bull Terrier.

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

    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.

    Bull Terrier Health Problems

    Bull Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Bull 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 Bull Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Bull 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 Bull Terriers for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Kidney Disease
  • Patellar Luxation

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: Airedale Terrier versus Bull Terrier

    Airedale Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Bull Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Airedale Terriers shed more than Bull Terriers?

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

    Bull Terriers shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Airedale Terrier or the Bull Terrier

    Airedale Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Bull Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

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

    Bull Terriers are very easy to groom.

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

    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.

    Bull 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.

    Do Airedale Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Bull Terriers?

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

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

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

    Airedale Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Bull Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Airedale Terrier vs. Bull Terrier

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

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

    Can Airedale Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Bull Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Bull Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Airedale Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Bull Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Airedale Terriers good family dogs? What about Bull Terriers?

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are Airedale Terriers and Bull Terriers?

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

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

    Is the Airedale Terrier Easier to Train than the Bull Terrier?

    Airedale Terriers are very easy to train.

    Bull Terriers are very easy to train.

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

    Airedale Terriers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Bull Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

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

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

    Bull Terriers are OK for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Airedale Terrier versus Bull Terrier. 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 Bull Terrier better suits you and your family.