Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Cairn Terrier Versus Coton de Tulear: Introduction
- Cairn Terrier versus Coton de Tulear: Overview
- Cairn Terrier versus Coton de Tulear: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Cairn Terrier and the Coton de Tulear
- The Similarities Between the Cairn Terrier and the Coton de Tulear
- Size (Weight and Height) of Cairn Terrier versus Coton de Tulear
- Price of Cairn Terrier versus Price of Coton de Tulear
- Adopting the Cairn Terrier versus Adopting the Coton de Tulear
- The Popularity of Cairn Terrier versus Popularity of Coton de Tulear
- Health Problems of Cairn Terrier versus Health Problems of Coton de Tulear
- Tolerates Being Alone: Cairn Terrier versus Coton de Tulear
- Which one drools more, the Cairn Terrier or the Coton de Tulear
- Is the Cairn Terrier Easier to Train than the Coton de Tulear?
- Do Cairn Terriers shed more than Coton de Tulears?
- Wanderlust Potential: Cairn Terrier vs. Coton de Tulear
- Can Cairn Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Coton de Tulears Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can Cairn Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Coton de Tulears Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Cairn Terrier or the Coton de Tulear?
- Does the Cairn Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Coton de Tulear?
- Do Cairn Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Coton de Tulears?
- Are Cairn Terriers good family dogs? What about Coton de Tulears?
- How Kid-friendly are Cairn Terriers and Coton de Tulears?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Cairn Terrier or the Coton de Tulear?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Cairn Terrier
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Coton de Tulear
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Cairn Terrier versus Coton de Tulear. Which One is a Better Pet?
Cairn Terrier Versus Coton de Tulear: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Cairn Terrier and the Coton de Tulear? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Cairn Terrier and the Coton de Tulear 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 Cairn Terrier and the Coton de Tulear.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Cairn Terrier and the Coton de Tulear 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 Cairn Terrier and for the Coton de Tulear. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Cairn Terrier and the Coton de Tulear.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Cairn Terrier or the Coton de Tulear
Cairn Terrier versus Coton de Tulear: Overview
Both the Cairn Terrier and the Coton de Tulear are similar in size. The Cairn Terrier and the Coton de Tulear are both tiny-sized dogs.
Furthermore, the Cairn 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 Coton de Tulear 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.
Cairn Terrier versus Coton de Tulear: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Cairn Terrier to the Coton de Tulear 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.
| Factor | Cairn Terrier | Coton de Tulear |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 14 to 16 years |
| Weight | 13 to 14 pounds | 8 to 13 pounds |
| Easy To Train | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder | 8 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 15.0 years |
| Average Price | $1600 | $2060 |
| Price Range | $1475 – $1750 | $1745 – $2500 |
| Temperament Score | 75.5 percent | |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 69 | 74 |
*Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Cairn 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 Coton de Tulear. 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 a Cairn Terrier is 86 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Coton de Tulear is 94 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Coton de Tulear is a better pet than the Cairn Terrier. So, you should get the Coton de Tulear!
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 Cairn Terrier and the Coton de Tulear so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Cairn Terrier and the Coton de Tulear
Below is a list of where the Cairn Terrier and the Coton de Tulear are most different:
The Similarities Between the Cairn Terrier and the Coton de Tulear
The Cairn Terrier and the Coton de Tulear are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Cairn Terrier and the Coton de Tulear are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Cairn Terrier versus Coton de Tulear
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Cairn Terrier and the Coton de Tulear.
Cairn Terriers weigh 13 to 14 pounds when fully grown. Cairn Terriers are 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, Coton de Tulears weigh 8 to 13 pounds when fully grown. Coton de Tulears are 8 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Price of Cairn Terrier versus Price of Coton de Tulear
The average price of the Cairn Terrier puppy is $1600. The price of the Cairn Terrier typically ranges from $1475 – $1750. However, the price of a Cairn Terrier can be as low as $650 and as high as $3500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 132 Cairn Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Coton de Tulear puppy is $2060. The price of the Coton de Tulear typically ranges from $1745 – $2500. However, the price of a Coton de Tulear can be as low as $1000 and as high as $3200. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 127 Coton de Tulear puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Coton de Tulear is more expensive than the Cairn Terrier.
| Cairn Terrier | Coton de Tulear | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1600 | $2060 |
| Price Range | $1475 to $1750 | $1745 to $2500 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Cairn Terrier and Coton de Tulear. For different price points, the charts show how many Cairn Terrier puppies or how many Coton de Tulear puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Cairn Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Coton de Tulears
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Cairn Terrier puppy or the Coton de Tulear 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 from 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 one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
Adopting the Cairn Terrier versus Adopting the Coton de Tulear
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Cairn Terriers and many Coton de Tulears 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 Cairn Terrier named Bart that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Cairn Terriers like Bart on pefinder.com.
Also, like Cairn Terriers, Coton de Tulears are also available for adoption. For example, Chef is a Male Coton de Tulear that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Coton de Tulears like Chef that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Chase Kalisz is the name of another Cairn Terrier (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
You can find more Cairn Terriers and Coton de Tulears that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of Cairn Terrier versus Popularity of Coton de Tulear
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 Cairn Terrier and the Coton de Tulear over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Cairn Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Coton de Tulear. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Cairn Terrier is 69 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Coton de Tulear is 74 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Cairn Terrier
Popularity of Coton de Tulear
| Year | Cairn Terrier Popularity Rank | Coton de Tulear Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 61 | no data |
| 2014 | 69 | 31.0 |
| 2015 | 70 | 85.0 |
| 2016 | 70 | 80.0 |
| 2017 | 69 | 81.0 |
| 2018 | 69 | 81.0 |
| 2019 | 72 | 81.0 |
| 2020 | 73 | 80.0 |
Health Problems of Cairn Terrier versus Health Problems of Coton de Tulear
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.
Both the Cairn Terrier and the Coton de Tulear 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 more genetic health problems than the Coton de Tulear.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Cairn Terrier than for the Coton de Tulear.
4 health tests are recommended for Cairn Terrier while 3 tests are recommended for the Coton de Tulear.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Cairn Terriers and in Coton de Tulears.
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:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Cairn Terriers here.
Coton de Tulear Health Problems
Coton de Tulears are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulears for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Coton de Tulears here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Cairn Terriers and Coton de Tulears
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Cairn Terrier Breed is Patella problems.
This is because the Cairn Terrier ranks 47 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 282 Cairn Terriers, 9 of them had Patella problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Cairn Terriers, and how common these diseases are in Cairn Terriers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Coton de Tulear Breed is Chondrodysplasia (Cdpa) problems.
This is because the Coton de Tulear ranks 1 out of 2 dog breeds for Chondrodysplasia (Cdpa) problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 51 Coton de Tulears, 47 of them had Chondrodysplasia (Cdpa) problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Coton de Tulears, and how common these diseases are in Coton de Tulears relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Cairn Terrier and in Coton de Tulear and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Cairn Terrier and the Coton de Tulear:
| Disease | Cairn Terrier Rank | Coton de Tulear Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Patella problems | 47 out of 145 dog breeds | 36 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | 87 out of 115 dog breeds | 61 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 118 out of 198 dog breeds | 121 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 146 out of 182 dog breeds | 168 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Chondrodysplasia (Cdpa) problems | Not Common | 1 out of 2 dog breeds |
| Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems | Not Common | 2 out of 5 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | Not Common | 71 out of 159 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | Not Common | 103 out of 144 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Tolerates Being Alone: Cairn Terrier versus Coton de Tulear
Cairn Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Coton de Tulears do not like to be left alone.
Which one drools more, the Cairn Terrier or the Coton de Tulear
Cairn Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Coton de Tulears do have a very low tendency to drool.
Is the Cairn Terrier Easier to Train than the Coton de Tulear?
Cairn Terriers are not easy to train.
Coton de Tulears are fairly easy to train.
Do Cairn Terriers shed more than Coton de Tulears?
Cairn Terriers shed moderately.
Coton de Tulears do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Wanderlust Potential: Cairn Terrier vs. Coton de Tulear
Cairn Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Coton de Tulears have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Cairn Terrier or the Coton de Tulear?
Cairn Terriers are very good for new dog owners.
Coton de Tulears are very good for new dog owners.
Can Cairn Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Coton de Tulears Tolerate Cold Weather?
Cairn Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Coton de Tulears can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Can Cairn Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Coton de Tulears Tolerate Hot Weather?
Cairn Terriers can tolerate hot weather.
Coton de Tulears can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Cairn Terrier or the Coton de Tulear?
Cairn Terriers get along very well with other dogs.
Coton de Tulears get along very well with other dogs.
Does the Cairn Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Coton de Tulear?
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.
Coton de Tulears have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.
Do Cairn Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Coton de Tulears?
Cairn Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Coton de Tulears are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Is the Cairn Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Coton de Tulear?
Cairn Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
Coton de Tulears adapt very well to apartment living.
Are Cairn Terriers good family dogs? What about Coton de Tulears?
Cairn Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Coton de Tulears are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Cairn Terriers and Coton de Tulears?
Cairn Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Coton de Tulears get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Cairn Terrier or the Coton de Tulear?
Cairn Terriers are very easy to groom.
Coton de Tulears require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Cairn Terrier
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Cairn 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 Cairn Terrier:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Coton de Tulear
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Cairn Terrier and how the Coton de Tulear compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Cairn Terrier and of the Coton de Tulear to other breeds:
Cairn Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Cairn Terrier versus Lhasapoo Cairn Terrier versus Afghan Hound Cairn Terrier versus Coton de Tulear Cairn Terrier versus German Pinscher Cairn Terrier versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog Cairn Terrier versus Pug Cairn Terrier versus American Staffordshire Terrier Cairn Terrier versus Japanese Spitz Cairn Terrier versus English Toy Spaniel Cairn Terrier versus Belgian Tervuren
Coton de Tulear Versus Other Dog Breeds
Coton de Tulear versus Yorkshire Terrier Coton de Tulear versus Xoloitzcuintli Coton de Tulear versus Pug Coton de Tulear versus Scottish Deerhound Coton de Tulear versus Bulldog Coton de Tulear versus Portuguese Pointer Coton de Tulear versus Shih Tzu Coton de Tulear versus Australian Terrier Coton de Tulear versus Komondor Coton de Tulear versus Frenchton
Conclusion: Cairn Terrier versus Coton de Tulear. 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 Cairn Terrier and the Coton de Tulear better suits you and your family.