Breed Comparison: Airedale Terrier Versus Pekingese

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Airedale Terrier Versus Pekingese: Introduction

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

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

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 Pekingese.

Airedale Terrier versus Pekingese

Airedale Terrier versus Pekingese: Overview

A very important difference between the Airedale Terrier and the Pekingese is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Airedale Terrier is a medium-sized dog while the Pekingese is a tiny-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 Pekingese belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

Airedale Terrier versus Pekingese: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Airedale Terrier to the Pekingese 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 Pekingese

Factor Airedale Terrier Pekingese
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 10 to 13 years 12 to 15 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 1/5
Height 21 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder 6 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder
Easygoing 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 1/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 2/5
General Health 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 3/5
Weight 40 to 65 pounds 7 to 14 pounds
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 3/5
Average Lifespan 11.5 years 13.5 years
Average Price $1360 $1930
Price Range $950 – $1800 $1288 – $2500
Temperament Score 78.2 percent 93.3 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 57 86
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 29 73

    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 Pekingese. 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 Pekingese is 77 out of 125.

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

    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 Pekingese so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Airedale Terrier versus Pekingese

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Airedale Terrier and the Pekingese

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

  • Airedale Terriers do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Pekingeses adapt well to apartment living.
  • Airedale Terriers have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy. However, Pekingeses 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, Pekingeses have low exercise needs.
  • The Similarities Between the Airedale Terrier and the Pekingese

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

  • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Pekingese do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Pekingese do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Pekingese require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Pekingese are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Pekingese gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Pekingese are very easy to train.
  • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Pekingese are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Pekingese have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Pekingese are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Airedale Terrier and the Pekingese have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Airedale Terrier versus Pekingese

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

    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, Pekingeses weigh 7 to 14 pounds when fully grown. Pekingeses are 6 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Airedale Terrier versus Pekingese

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

    The lifespan of Pekingeses is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Pekingeses is 13.5 years.

    Pekingeses live longer than Airedale Terriers.

    Airedale Terrier versus Pekingese

    Temperament of the Pekingese Versus the Airedale Terrier

    The Pekingese has a better temperament than the Airedale Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Pekingese is 93.3 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 93.3 percent, the Pekingese has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Airedale Terrier and the Pekingese by measuring the temperaments of 110 Airedale Terriers and 15 Pekingeses.

    Price of Airedale Terrier versus Price of Pekingese

    The average price of the Airedale Terrier puppy is $1360. The price of the Airedale Terrier typically ranges from $950 – $1800. However, the price of a Airedale Terrier can be as low as $250 and as high as $3135. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 282 Airedale Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Pekingese puppy is $1930. The price of the Pekingese typically ranges from $1288 – $2500. However, the price of the Pekingese can be as low as $700 and as high as $7500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 138 Pekingese puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Pekingese is more expensive than the Airedale Terrier.

    Airedale Terrier Pekingese
    Average Price $1360 $1930
    Price Range $950 to $1800 $1288 to $2500

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Pekingeses

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

    Airedale Terrier versus Pekingese

    Adopting the Airedale Terrier versus Adopting the Pekingese

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Airedale Terriers and many Pekingeses are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Airedale Terrier named Dale that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Airedale Terriers like Dale on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Airedale Terriers, Pekingeses are also available for adoption. For example, Joe Joe is a Male Pekingese that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Pekingeses like Joe Joe that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Airedale Terrier and the Pekingese can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Troy is the name of another Airedale Terrier (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Prancer is an adorable Male Pekingese on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Airedale Terriers and Pekingeses are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Airedale Terriers and Pekingeses that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Intelligence of the Airedale Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Pekingese

    Airedale Terrier Pekingese
    Intelligence Rank 29 out of 130 dog breeds 73 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 Pekingese has an obedience intelligence rank of 73 out of 130 dog breeds. The Pekingese belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Pekingeses tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.

    The Airedale Terrier is more intelligent than the Pekingese.

    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.

    The Popularity of Airedale Terrier versus Popularity of Pekingese

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Airedale Terrier and the Pekingese over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Airedale Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Pekingese. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Airedale Terrier is 57 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Pekingese is 86 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Airedale Terrier

    Popularity of Airedale Terrier

    Popularity of Pekingese

    Popularity of Pekingese

    Year Airedale Terrier Popularity Rank Pekingese Popularity Rank
    2013 56 77
    2014 57 82
    2015 53 80
    2016 55 93
    2017 55 88
    2018 60 92
    2019 60 83
    2020 62 95

    Tolerates Being Alone: Airedale Terrier versus Pekingese

    Airedale Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Pekingeses can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Airedale Terriers shed more than Pekingeses?

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

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

    Which one drools more, the Airedale Terrier or the Pekingese

    Airedale Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Pekingeses do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

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

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

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

    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.

    Pekingeses 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 Pekingeses?

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

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

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

    Airedale Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Pekingeses can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Airedale Terrier vs. Pekingese

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

    Pekingeses have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Airedale Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pekingeses Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Pekingeses cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

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

    Airedale Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Pekingeses do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Airedale Terriers good family dogs? What about Pekingeses?

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are Airedale Terriers and Pekingeses?

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

    Pekingeses do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Is the Airedale Terrier Easier to Train than the Pekingese?

    Airedale Terriers are very easy to train.

    Pekingeses are fairly easy to train.

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

    Airedale Terriers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Pekingeses adapt very well to apartment living.

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

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

    Pekingeses are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Airedale Terrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Airedale Terrier that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Airedale Terrier:

  • Australian Shepherd (80 percent match with Airedale Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Pekingese vs Australian Shepherd.
  • Curly-Coated Retriever (82 percent match with Airedale Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Pekingese vs Curly-Coated Retriever.
  • English Springer Spaniel (80 percent match with Airedale Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Pekingese vs English Springer Spaniel.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Pekingese

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Pekingese that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Pekingese:

  • Dandie Dinmont Terrier (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Airedale Terrier vs Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
  • Mal Shi (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Airedale Terrier vs Mal Shi.
  • Pomeranian (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Airedale Terrier vs Pomeranian.
  • Pomsky (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Airedale Terrier vs Pomsky.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Airedale Terrier and how the Pekingese compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Airedale Terrier and of the Pekingese to other breeds:

    Airedale Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Airedale Terrier versus Weimaraner     Airedale Terrier versus Schipperke     Airedale Terrier versus Biewer Terrier     Airedale Terrier versus Bordoodle     Airedale Terrier versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Airedale Terrier versus Peek A Poo     Airedale Terrier versus Saint Berdoodle     Airedale Terrier versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Airedale Terrier versus American Hairless Terrier     Airedale Terrier versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Airedale Terrier versus Lakeland Terrier     Airedale Terrier versus Manchester Terrier     Airedale Terrier versus Shiranian     Airedale Terrier versus Gordon Setter     Airedale Terrier versus Standard Schnauzer     Airedale Terrier versus Cesky Terrier     Airedale Terrier versus Collie     Airedale Terrier versus Norwegian Lundehund     Airedale Terrier versus Spanish Mastiff     Airedale Terrier versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Airedale Terrier versus Redbone Coonhound     Airedale Terrier versus Brussels Griffon     Airedale Terrier versus Shiba Inu     Airedale Terrier versus Gordon Setter     Airedale Terrier versus Tibetan Mastiff     

    Pekingese Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Pekingese versus German Pinscher     Pekingese versus Akita     Pekingese versus Cockalier     Pekingese versus Cairn Terrier     Pekingese versus Boston Terrier     Pekingese versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Pekingese versus Greyhound     Pekingese versus Whoodle     Pekingese versus Affenhuahua     Pekingese versus Beaglier     Pekingese versus Lhasa Apso     Pekingese versus Carolina Dog     Pekingese versus Brittany     Pekingese versus Belgian Tervuren     Pekingese versus Black Mouth Cur     Pekingese versus Shetland Sheepdog     Pekingese versus Great Pyrenees     Pekingese versus Australian Terrier     Pekingese versus Norwegian Lundehund     Pekingese versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Pekingese versus Great Dane     Pekingese versus Komondor     Pekingese versus Shiranian     Pekingese versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Pekingese versus Papillon     

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