Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Cairn Terrier Versus Irish Terrier: Introduction
- Cairn Terrier versus Irish Terrier: Overview
- Cairn Terrier versus Irish Terrier: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Cairn Terrier and the Irish Terrier
- The Similarities Between the Cairn Terrier and the Irish Terrier
- Size (Weight and Height) of Cairn Terrier versus Irish Terrier
- Lifespan of Cairn Terrier versus Irish Terrier
- Temperament of the Cairn Terrier Versus the Irish Terrier
- Price of Cairn Terrier versus Price of Irish Terrier
- The Intelligence of the Cairn Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Irish Terrier
- The Popularity of Cairn Terrier versus Popularity of Irish Terrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: Cairn Terrier versus Irish Terrier
- Do Cairn Terriers shed more than Irish Terriers?
- Which one drools more, the Cairn Terrier or the Irish Terrier
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Cairn Terrier or the Irish Terrier?
- Does the Cairn Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Terrier?
- Do Cairn Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Irish Terriers?
- Can Cairn Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Cairn Terrier vs. Irish Terrier
- Can Cairn Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Cairn Terrier or the Irish Terrier?
- Are Cairn Terriers good family dogs? What about Irish Terriers?
- How Kid-friendly are Cairn Terriers and Irish Terriers?
- Is the Cairn Terrier Easier to Train than the Irish Terrier?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Cairn Terrier
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Terrier
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Cairn Terrier versus Irish Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
Cairn Terrier Versus Irish Terrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Cairn Terrier and the Irish 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 Cairn Terrier and the Irish 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 Cairn Terrier and the Irish Terrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Cairn Terrier and the Irish 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 Cairn Terrier and for the Irish 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 Cairn Terrier and the Irish Terrier.
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 Irish Terrier.
Cairn Terrier versus Irish Terrier: Overview
A very important difference between the Cairn Terrier and the Irish Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Cairn Terrier is a tiny-sized dog while the Irish Terrier is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, both the Cairn Terrier and the Irish Terrier are Terrier Dogs. This means both the Cairn Terrier and the Irish 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.
Cairn Terrier versus Irish Terrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Cairn Terrier to the Irish 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 Cairn Terrier and the Irish Terrier
| Factor | Cairn Terrier | Irish Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 12 to 16 years |
| Weight | 13 to 14 pounds | 25 to 27 pounds |
| Easy To Train | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| 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 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder | 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 14.0 years |
| Average Price | $1600 | $1280 |
| Price Range | $1475 – $1750 | $1000 – $1500 |
| Temperament Score | 75.5 percent | 80.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 69 | 118 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 35 | 53 |
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 Irish 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 Cairn Terrier is 86 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Irish Terrier is 78 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Cairn Terrier is a better pet than the Irish 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 Cairn Terrier and the Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terrier
Below is a list of where the Cairn Terrier and the Irish Terrier are most different:
The Similarities Between the Cairn Terrier and the Irish Terrier
The Cairn Terrier and the Irish Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Cairn Terrier and the Irish Terrier are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Cairn Terrier versus Irish Terrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Cairn Terrier and the Irish Terrier.
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, Irish Terriers weigh 25 to 27 pounds when fully grown. Irish Terriers are 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Cairn Terrier versus Irish Terrier
The lifespan of Cairn Terriers is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Cairn Terriers is 13.5 years.
The lifespan of Irish Terriers is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Irish Terriers is 14.0 years.
Irish Terriers live longer than Cairn Terriers.
Temperament of the Cairn Terrier Versus the Irish Terrier
The Irish Terrier has a better temperament than the Cairn Terrier.
This is because the temperament score for the Irish Terrier is 80.0 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 75.5 percent, the Cairn Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 80.0 percent, the Irish Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Cairn Terrier and the Irish Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 53 Cairn Terriers and 10 Irish Terriers.
Price of Cairn Terrier versus Price of Irish Terrier
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 Irish Terrier puppy is $1280. The price of the Irish Terrier typically ranges from $1000 – $1500. However, the price of the Irish Terrier can be as low as $450 and as high as $2800. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 26 Irish Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Cairn Terrier is more expensive than the Irish Terrier.
| Cairn Terrier | Irish Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1600 | $1280 |
| Price Range | $1475 to $1750 | $1000 to $1500 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Cairn Terrier and Irish Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Cairn Terrier puppies or how many Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terriers
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Cairn Terrier puppy or the Irish 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 Cairn Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Irish Terrier
| Cairn Terrier | Irish Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 35 out of 130 dog breeds | 53 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 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:
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 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 Irish Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 53 out of 130 dog breeds. The Irish Terrier belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Irish Terriers tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.
The Cairn Terrier is more intelligent than the Irish 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.
The Popularity of Cairn Terrier versus Popularity of Irish Terrier
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 Irish Terrier over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Cairn Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Irish Terrier. 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 Irish Terrier is 118 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Cairn Terrier
Popularity of Irish Terrier
| Year | Cairn Terrier Popularity Rank | Irish Terrier Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 61 | 123 |
| 2014 | 69 | 125 |
| 2015 | 70 | 113 |
| 2016 | 70 | 115 |
| 2017 | 69 | 114 |
| 2018 | 69 | 116 |
| 2019 | 72 | 119 |
| 2020 | 73 | 120 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Cairn Terrier versus Irish Terrier
Cairn Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Irish Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Do Cairn Terriers shed more than Irish Terriers?
Cairn Terriers shed moderately.
Irish Terriers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Cairn Terrier or the Irish Terrier
Cairn Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Irish Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Cairn Terrier or the Irish Terrier?
Cairn Terriers are very easy to groom.
Irish Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Cairn Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Terrier?
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.
Irish Terriers 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 Irish Terriers?
Cairn Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Irish Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Cairn Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Cairn Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Irish Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Cairn Terrier vs. Irish Terrier
Cairn Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Irish Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Cairn Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Cairn Terriers can tolerate hot weather.
Irish Terriers can tolerate hot weather.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Cairn Terrier or the Irish Terrier?
Cairn Terriers get along very well with other dogs.
Irish Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Cairn Terriers good family dogs? What about Irish Terriers?
Cairn Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Irish Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Cairn Terriers and Irish Terriers?
Cairn Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Irish Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Cairn Terrier Easier to Train than the Irish Terrier?
Cairn Terriers are not easy to train.
Irish Terriers are not easy to train.
Is the Cairn Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Irish Terrier?
Cairn Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
Irish Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Cairn Terrier or the Irish Terrier?
Cairn Terriers are very good for new dog owners.
Irish Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
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 Irish Terrier
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Irish 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 Irish Terrier:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Cairn Terrier and how the Irish Terrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Cairn Terrier and of the Irish Terrier to other breeds:
Cairn Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Cairn Terrier versus Harrier Cairn Terrier versus Afador Cairn Terrier versus Norwegian Lundehund Cairn Terrier versus Gordon Setter Cairn Terrier versus Lhasapoo Cairn Terrier versus Pyrenean Shepherd Cairn Terrier versus Pyrenean Mastiff Cairn Terrier versus Black Mouth Cur Cairn Terrier versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog Cairn Terrier versus Flat-Coated Retriever Cairn Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel Cairn Terrier versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier Cairn Terrier versus Komondor Cairn Terrier versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog Cairn Terrier versus Redbone Coonhound Cairn Terrier versus Brittany Cairn Terrier versus Chinook Cairn Terrier versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier Cairn Terrier versus Greyhound Cairn Terrier versus Cane Corso Cairn Terrier versus English Springer Spaniel Cairn Terrier versus Brittany Cairn Terrier versus Aussiedoodle Cairn Terrier versus Lhasa Apso Cairn Terrier versus Saint Bernard
Irish Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Irish Terrier versus German Pinscher Irish Terrier versus Miniature Poodle Irish Terrier versus Mountain Cur Irish Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel Irish Terrier versus Belgian Sheepdog Irish Terrier versus Spinone Italiano Irish Terrier versus French Bulldog Irish Terrier versus Cavachon Irish Terrier versus Border Collie Irish Terrier versus Clumber Spaniel Irish Terrier versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog Irish Terrier versus Dalmatian Irish Terrier versus Maltese Irish Terrier versus Dalmatian Irish Terrier versus Shiranian Irish Terrier versus Chorkie Irish Terrier versus German Longhaired Pointer Irish Terrier versus Mastiff Irish Terrier versus Jack Russell Terrier Irish Terrier versus Flat-Coated Retriever Irish Terrier versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Irish Terrier versus Samoyed Irish Terrier versus Cocker Spaniel Irish Terrier versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne Irish Terrier versus Toy Fox Terrier
Conclusion: Cairn Terrier versus Irish 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 Cairn Terrier and the Irish Terrier better suits you and your family.