Breed Comparison: Bedlington Terrier Versus Cairn Terrier

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Bedlington Terrier Versus Cairn Terrier: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Bedlington Terrier and the Cairn 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 Bedlington Terrier and for the Cairn 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 Bedlington Terrier and the Cairn Terrier.

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

Bedlington Terrier versus Cairn Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Bedlington Terrier and the Cairn Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Bedlington Terrier is a medium-sized dog while the Cairn Terrier is a tiny-sized dog.

Furthermore, both the Bedlington Terrier and the Cairn Terrier are Terrier Dogs. This means both the Bedlington Terrier and the Cairn 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.

Bedlington Terrier versus Cairn Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Bedlington Terrier to the Cairn 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 Bedlington Terrier and the Cairn Terrier

FactorBedlington TerrierCairn Terrier
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Easy To Groom1/55/5
Life Span14 to 16 years12 to 15 years
Height15 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Weight17 to 23 pounds13 to 14 pounds
Calmness/ Low Vigor4/52/5
Easygoing3/53/5
Tolerates Being Alone3/51/5
Tolerates Hot Weather3/54/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/53/5
Easy To Train3/52/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl3/52/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living4/55/5
Good For Novice Owners4/54/5
Tolerates Cold Weather4/54/5
Kid-Friendly4/55/5
Dog Friendly4/54/5
General Health4/54/5
Does NOT chew on things2/53/5
Tendency NOT to Wander2/53/5
NOT Rambunctious2/51/5
Minimal Exercise Needs2/52/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Friendly Toward Strangers5/54/5
Does NOT Shed1/53/5
Intelligence5/55/5
Low Prey Drive1/52/5
Potential For Playfulness5/55/5
Average Lifespan15.0 years13.5 years
Average Price$2530$1650
Price Range$2000 – $2800$1500 – $1750
Temperament Score90.5 percent75.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • COPPER TOXICOSIS
  • Eye Examination, minimum age 1 year
  • Patellar Luxation
  • VetGen
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy (GCL)
  • Patellar Luxation
    • Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)4035

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Bedlington 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 Cairn 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 Bedlington Terrier is 82 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Cairn Terrier is 86 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Cairn Terrier is a better pet than the Bedlington Terrier. So, you should get the Cairn 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 Bedlington Terrier and the Cairn Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Bedlington Terrier and the Cairn Terrier

    Below is a list of where the Bedlington Terrier and the Cairn Terrier are most different:

    • Bedlington Terriers require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Cairn Terriers are very easy to groom.

    The Similarities Between the Bedlington Terrier and the Cairn Terrier

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

    • Both the Bedlington Terrier and the Cairn Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Bedlington Terrier and the Cairn Terrier adapt well to apartment living.
    • Both the Bedlington Terrier and the Cairn Terrier are good for new dog owners.
    • Both the Bedlington Terrier and the Cairn Terrier can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the Bedlington Terrier and the Cairn Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Bedlington Terrier and the Cairn Terrier get along well with other dogs.
    • Both the Bedlington Terrier and the Cairn Terrier are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
    • Both the Bedlington Terrier and the Cairn Terrier are prone to nip and chew at things.
    • Both the Bedlington Terrier and the Cairn Terrier have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
    • Both the Bedlington Terrier and the Cairn Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the Bedlington Terrier and the Cairn Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the Bedlington Terrier and the Cairn Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Bedlington Terrier and the Cairn Terrier are very friendly towards strangers.
    • Both the Bedlington Terrier and the Cairn Terrier are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Bedlington Terrier and the Cairn Terrier have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
    • Both the Bedlington Terrier and the Cairn Terrier are very playful.

    Size Comparison of Bedlington Terrier versus Cairn Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Bedlington Terrier and the Cairn Terrier.

    Bedlington Terriers weigh 17 to 23 pounds when fully grown. Bedlington Terriers are 15 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Cairn Terriers weigh 13 to 14 pounds when fully grown. Cairn Terriers are 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Bedlington Terrier versus Cairn Terrier

    The lifespan of Bedlington Terriers is between 14 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Bedlington Terriers is 15.0 years.

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

    Bedlington Terriers live longer than Cairn Terriers.

    Temperament of the Bedlington Terrier Versus the Cairn Terrier

    The Bedlington Terrier has a better temperament than the Cairn Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Bedlington Terrier is 90.5 percent while the temperament score for the Cairn Terrier is 75.5 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 90.5 percent, the Bedlington Terrier has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 75.5 percent, the Cairn Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Bedlington Terrier and the Cairn Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 21 Bedlington Terriers and 53 Cairn Terriers.

    Price of Bedlington Terrier versus Price of Cairn Terrier

    The average price of the Bedlington Terrier puppy is $2530. The price of the Bedlington Terrier typically ranges from $2000 – $2800. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 5 Bedlington Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Cairn Terrier puppy is $1650. The price of the Cairn Terrier typically ranges from $1500 – $1750. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 84 Cairn Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Bedlington Terrier is more expensive than the Cairn Terrier.

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

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Cairn Terriers

    A breakdown of the prices of Cairn Terriers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Bedlington Terrier puppy or the Cairn 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 Bedlington Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Cairn Terrier

    `
    Bedlington Terrier Cairn Terrier
    Intelligence Rank 40 out of 130 dog breeds 35 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 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 Bedlington Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 40 out of 130 dog breeds. The Bedlington Terrier belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Bedlington Terriers tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.

    The Cairn Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 35 out of 130 dog breeds. The Cairn Terrier belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Cairn Terriers tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions.

    The Cairn Terrier is more intelligent than the Bedlington 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 Bedlington Terrier versus Health Problems of Cairn 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 Bedlington Terrier and the Cairn 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 Cairn Terrier is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Bedlington Terrier.

    4 health tests are recommended for Bedlington Terrier while 4 tests are recommended for the Cairn Terrier.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Bedlington Terriers and in Cairn Terriers.

    Bedlington Terrier Health Problems

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

  • COPPER TOXICOSIS
  • Eye Examination, minimum age 1 year
  • Patellar Luxation
  • VetGen

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

    Cairn Terrier Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy (GCL)
  • Patellar Luxation

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: Bedlington Terrier versus Cairn Terrier

    Bedlington Terriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Cairn Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Bedlington Terriers shed more than Cairn Terriers?

    Bedlington Terriers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Cairn Terriers shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Bedlington Terrier or the Cairn Terrier

    Bedlington Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Cairn Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Bedlington Terrier or the Cairn Terrier?

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

    Cairn Terriers are very easy to groom.

    Does the Bedlington Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Cairn Terrier?

    Bedlington 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.

    Cairn 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 Bedlington Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Cairn Terriers?

    Bedlington Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Bedlington Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Cairn Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Bedlington Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Cairn Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Bedlington Terrier vs. Cairn Terrier

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

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

    Can Bedlington Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Cairn Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Cairn Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Bedlington Terrier or the Cairn Terrier?

    Bedlington Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Cairn Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Bedlington Terriers good family dogs? What about Cairn Terriers?

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are Bedlington Terriers and Cairn Terriers?

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

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

    Is the Bedlington Terrier Easier to Train than the Cairn Terrier?

    Bedlington Terriers are fairly easy to train.

    Cairn Terriers are not easy to train.

    Is the Bedlington Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Cairn Terrier?

    Bedlington Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Cairn Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Bedlington Terrier or the Cairn Terrier?

    Bedlington Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Cairn Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Bedlington Terrier versus Cairn 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 Bedlington Terrier and the Cairn Terrier better suits you and your family.