Which is Better between the Cairn Terrier and the Sloughi? A Very Detailed Review.

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Cairn Terrier Versus Sloughi: Introduction

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

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

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 Sloughi.

Cairn Terrier versus Sloughi: Overview

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

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 Sloughi belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

Cairn Terrier versus Sloughi: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Cairn Terrier to the Sloughi 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 Sloughi

Factor Cairn Terrier Sloughi
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 16 years
Weight 13 to 14 pounds 40 to 63 pounds
Easy To Train 2/5 3/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 5/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 3/5
Height 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder 24 to 29 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 14.0 years
Average Price $1600 No Data
Price Range $1475 – $1750 No Data
Temperament Score 75.5 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy (GCL)
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Exam by a veterinarian with Board certification by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Specialty of Cardiology
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination by a board certified ACVO Ophthalmologist- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 69 189

    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 Sloughi. 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 Sloughi is 79 out of 125.

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

    The Similarities Between the Cairn Terrier and the Sloughi

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

  • Both the Cairn Terrier and the Sloughi do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Cairn Terrier and the Sloughi are not easy to train.
  • Both the Cairn Terrier and the Sloughi can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Cairn Terrier and the Sloughi get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Cairn Terrier and the Sloughi are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Cairn Terrier and the Sloughi are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Cairn Terrier and the Sloughi have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Cairn Terrier and the Sloughi do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Cairn Terrier and the Sloughi require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Cairn Terrier and the Sloughi adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Cairn Terrier and the Sloughi are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Cairn Terrier and the Sloughi get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Cairn Terrier and the Sloughi are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Cairn Terrier and the Sloughi are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Cairn Terrier and the Sloughi have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Cairn Terrier versus Sloughi

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

    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, Sloughis weigh 40 to 63 pounds when fully grown. Sloughis are 24 to 29 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Cairn Terrier versus Sloughi

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

    The lifespan of Sloughis is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Sloughis is 14.0 years.

    Sloughis live longer than Cairn Terriers.

    Temperament of the Sloughi Versus the Cairn Terrier

    The Sloughi has a better temperament than the Cairn Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Sloughi is 100.0 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 100.0 percent, the Sloughi has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Cairn Terrier and the Sloughi by measuring the temperaments of 53 Cairn Terriers and 3 Sloughis.

    The Popularity of Cairn Terrier versus Popularity of Sloughi

    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 Sloughi over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Cairn Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Sloughi. 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 Sloughi is 189 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Cairn Terrier

    Popularity of Cairn Terrier

    Popularity of Sloughi

    Popularity of Sloughi

    Year Cairn Terrier Popularity Rank Sloughi Popularity Rank
    2013 61 no data
    2014 69 no data
    2015 70 no data
    2016 70 185.0
    2017 69 188.0
    2018 69 192.0
    2019 72 191.0
    2020 73 189.0

    Health Problems of Cairn Terrier versus Health Problems of Sloughi

    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 Cairn Terrier and the Sloughi 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 Sloughi is prone to more genetic health problems than the Cairn Terrier.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Sloughi than for the Cairn Terrier.

    4 health tests are recommended for Cairn Terrier while 6 tests are recommended for the Sloughi.

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

    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.

    Sloughi Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Exam by a veterinarian with Board certification by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Specialty of Cardiology
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination by a board certified ACVO Ophthalmologist- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Sloughis here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Cairn Terrier versus Sloughi

    Cairn Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Sloughis can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Cairn Terriers shed more than Sloughis?

    Cairn Terriers shed moderately.

    Sloughis shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Cairn Terrier or the Sloughi

    Cairn Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Sloughis do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Cairn Terriers are very easy to groom.

    Sloughis are very easy to groom.

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

    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.

    Sloughis 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 Cairn Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Sloughis?

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

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

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

    Cairn Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Sloughis cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Cairn Terrier vs. Sloughi

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

    Sloughis 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 Sloughis Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Cairn Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Sloughis 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 Sloughi?

    Cairn Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Sloughis get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Cairn Terriers good family dogs? What about Sloughis?

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are Cairn Terriers and Sloughis?

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

    Sloughis get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Cairn Terrier Easier to Train than the Sloughi?

    Cairn Terriers are not easy to train.

    Sloughis are fairly easy to train.

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

    Cairn Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Sloughis adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Cairn Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Sloughis 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:

  • Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (81 percent match with Cairn Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Sloughi vs Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Sloughi

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Sloughi 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 Sloughi:

  • Bracco Italiano (78 percent match with Sloughi). Here is our comparison of the Cairn Terrier vs Bracco Italiano.
  • Ibizan Hound (79 percent match with Sloughi). Here is our comparison of the Cairn Terrier vs Ibizan Hound.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Cairn Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Cairn Terrier versus Bichon Frise     Cairn Terrier versus German Longhaired Pointer     Cairn Terrier versus Beaglier     Cairn Terrier versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Cairn Terrier versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Cairn Terrier versus Finnish Spitz     Cairn Terrier versus Great Dane     Cairn Terrier versus Siberian Husky     Cairn Terrier versus Bouvier des Flandres     Cairn Terrier versus Spanish Mastiff     Cairn Terrier versus Norwegian Lundehund     Cairn Terrier versus Spanish Mastiff     Cairn Terrier versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Cairn Terrier versus Black Mouth Cur     Cairn Terrier versus Airedale Terrier     Cairn Terrier versus Norwich Terrier     Cairn Terrier versus Boykin Spaniel     Cairn Terrier versus Pomchi     Cairn Terrier versus Puli     Cairn Terrier versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Cairn Terrier versus Spinone Italiano     Cairn Terrier versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Cairn Terrier versus Xoloitzcuintli     Cairn Terrier versus American Bulldog     Cairn Terrier versus Field Spaniel     

    Sloughi Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Sloughi versus Collie     Sloughi versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Sloughi versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Sloughi versus Siberian Husky     Sloughi versus Clumber Spaniel     Sloughi versus Pointer     Sloughi versus Pomeranian     Sloughi versus Australian Cattle Dog     Sloughi versus Azawakh     Sloughi versus Boerboel     Sloughi versus Portuguese Pointer     Sloughi versus Sussex Spaniel     Sloughi versus Bullmastiff     Sloughi versus Belgian Sheepdog     Sloughi versus Frenchton     Sloughi versus Hovawart     Sloughi versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Sloughi versus Border Terrier     Sloughi versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Sloughi versus Boxer     Sloughi versus Beagle     Sloughi versus Akbash     Sloughi versus Pomapoo     Sloughi versus Border Terrier     Sloughi versus Australian Terrier     

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