Dog breed comparison
West Highland White Terrier vs Cairn Terrier
How the two compare on size, temperament, training, grooming and health, and which suits your home.
At a glance
Side by side.
| Trait | West Highland White Terrier | Cairn Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Terrier Dogs | Terrier Dogs |
| Size | Small | Small |
| Height | 10 to 11 inches | 9 to 10 inches |
| Weight | 13 to 22 pounds | 13 to 14 pounds |
| Life span | 12 to 16 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Energy | ||
| Exercise needs | ||
| Easy to train | ||
| Intelligence | ||
| Good with children | ||
| Good with other dogs | ||
| Friendly with strangers | ||
| Shedding | ||
| Easy to groom | ||
| Barking | ||
| Apartment living | ||
| First-time owners | ||
| Copes alone | ||
| Drooling | ||
| General health |
Ratings are 1 to 5, from our breed database. Every pet is an individual.
Background
Where they come from.
The West Highland White Terrier
A Scottish terrier from Poltalloch, bred by Colonel Edward Malcolm, who wanted white terriers so hunters wouldn't mistake them for foxes.
Westies are prone to skin allergies and a lung disease called westie lung.
Health to watch
- Atopic dermatitis
- Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
- Craniomandibular osteopathy
- Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease
The Cairn Terrier
One of the oldest Scottish terriers, from the Isle of Skye and the Highlands, bred to dig out foxes and rodents from piles of stones called cairns. Toto in The Wizard of Oz was a Cairn.
Cairns love to dig, so a garden needs secure fencing at ground level.
Health to watch
- Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease
- Craniomandibular osteopathy
- Globoid cell leukodystrophy
- Ocular melanosis
Key differences
Where they differ most.
Easy to train
The West Highland White Terrier is easier to train than the Cairn Terrier.
Easy to groom
The Cairn Terrier is easier to groom than the West Highland White Terrier.
Energy
The Cairn Terrier has more energy than the West Highland White Terrier.
Intelligence
The Cairn Terrier is quicker to learn than the West Highland White Terrier.
Good with children
The Cairn Terrier is better with children than the West Highland White Terrier.
Good with other dogs
The West Highland White Terrier gets on better with other dogs than the Cairn Terrier.
Which to choose
West Highland White Terrier or Cairn Terrier?
Choose the West Highland White Terrier if…
- You want a dog that is easier to train
- You’d like a calmer pet (it is calmer)
- You want a dog that gets on better with other dogs
- You want a more watchful dog (it is more reserved with strangers)
Choose the Cairn Terrier if…
- You want a dog that is easier to groom
- You want an active, playful companion (it has more energy)
- You want a dog that is quicker to learn
- You want a dog that is better with children
Questions.
Which is easier to train, the West Highland White Terrier or the Cairn Terrier?
The West Highland White Terrier is generally easier to train than the Cairn Terrier. Short, positive, reward-based sessions work best for both.
Which is better for families, the West Highland White Terrier or the Cairn Terrier?
The Cairn Terrier is usually the better fit for families with children, though a well-socialised West Highland White Terrier can be great too. Always supervise young children with any pet.
Which sheds less?
The Cairn Terrier sheds less than the West Highland White Terrier. No breed is completely hair-free; regular brushing helps with both.
What health problems do the West Highland White Terrier and Cairn Terrier have?
The West Highland White Terrier is prone to atopic dermatitis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, craniomandibular osteopathy. The Cairn Terrier is prone to Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, craniomandibular osteopathy, globoid cell leukodystrophy. Both share a risk of craniomandibular osteopathy and Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. Ask any breeder for the parents' health test results.
