Cairn Terrier vs Norwich Terrier

There is a whole lot of personality packed into the compact Cairn Terrier. They are a friendly, sociable breed who loves making new friends wherever they go, of both the two- and four-legged variety. So, yes, you can expect to leave any trip to the dog park with a puppy playdate booked for next week. Hope you like a full social calendar! Cairns are good with kids, and their scrappy personalities allow them to enjoy the rough-and-tumble play of an afternoon outside with the little kiddos (as long as they follow the no ear or tail pulling rule).

Cairns were originally bred to hunt vermin out of rock piles, or “cairns” in Scotland, so they are a working terrier breed. Rock piles are scarce nowadays outside of Scotland, but Cairns’ high prey drive will keep them on alert for squirrels, bunnies or any other small furry animals that dare to invade their territory. Their instinct to dig is strong, so some savvy pet parents have been known to provide their Cairn Terrier with a sand box of hidden toys to dig for—this keeps their dog happy and their daisies intact. Win, win.

For the most part, their temperament is happy-go-lucky, and they’re never more content than when sharing an adventure with you. Energetic and curious, they’re always up for a game of fetch, a tussle with their favorite tug toy, or just a walk around the neighborhood. But beware the bored Cairn pup who will quickly turn into a barking Cairn pup—one who may not stop until the entertainment resumes, which just might make you your neighbor’s least favorite person. And while they are not known to be lapdogs glad to just watch the world go by, Cairn Terriers may well snuggle up at the end of a busy day for a chance to recharge before tomorrow’s adventure begins.

The Norwich Terrier temperament is approachable and affectionate. These characteristics make them great family dogs. Not only do these pups love their people and do well in homes with kids, but they’ll likely fare better than other terrier breeds in multi-pet homes as well because they’re typically tolerant of cats and other dogs.

Norwich Terriers know how to enjoy life, and they’re happiest when they are around their humans, so you can be sure that wherever you go, you’ll have the cutest of all little companions by your side. These dogs are active and intelligent, so they’re not super fond of being left alone for long. They prefer to be where the action is—FOMO is real—and whether it’s physical activity or mental stimulation, they must be kept busy.

These guys are always on high alert, and they’ll bark if anything suspicious comes near them or their family. But while they make great watchdogs (that big-dog-stuck-in-a-small-dog mentality really comes in handy here), pet parents should make every attempt to keep their Norwich Terrier’s barking in check from an early age. If not, it may become a nuisance as the pup grows into adulthood.

Norwich Terriers seem to have a wanderlust gene and they are quite inquisitive as well. While these traits might be fine on their own, they can spell trouble when paired with the Norwich Terrier’s high prey drive. For these reasons, it’s crucial to host any off-leash playtime in fenced-in areas, to prevent them chasing critters and ending up lost or in danger. When you’re not in an enclosed space, they should be on a leash at all times.

Norwich Terriers are happy-go-lucky and eager-to-please, and pet parents will find that they are easy to train with positive reinforcement (treats, toys and praise for a job well done). It’s important to remember, though, that they’re fearless warriors and they’ll rise to any challenge. These traits can also lead them to be strong-willed and even a bit bossy. In light of that, calm and confident pet parents can win them over with consistency and patience.