Breed comparison
Airedale Terrier vs Cairn Terrier
How the two breeds compare on the American Kennel Club's 1 to 5 trait ratings, and which one suits which home.
Airedale Terrier
The biggest differences
These two breeds are close on every trait: no score differs by more than one point.
They score the same on good with young children, good with other dogs, openness to strangers, energy level, trainability, mental stimulation needs.
Which one should you choose?
Pick the Airedale Terrier if you want less dog hair, you want a quieter dog, you want a more protective watchdog. Pick the Cairn Terrier if its looks and size suit you better, since the ratings are close.
Ratings are general breed tendencies from the AKC. Every dog is an individual, so meet the dog, and its parents if you can, before you decide. Not sure? Try the breed selector.
Source: American Kennel Club breed ratings (compiled February 2022). How we check.