Compare Breeds
Compare dog breeds side by side
Select 2 or 3 breeds and compare them across purpose, size, daily life, household fit, training, health and reality. This tool uses the same verified information from each breed guide — it does not assign scores, rank breeds, or declare a winner. The better fit depends on the individual dog, the owner's experience, household, environment, goals and available time.
Preset comparisons
Overview
Original purpose
Vermin control and bolting fox from earths
Vermin control and above-ground hunting
Country / region of origin
United Kingdom (England-Scotland border)
United Kingdom (Wales)
Academy group
Farm Terrier
Long-Legged Terrier
Life expectancy
12–15 years
12–15 years
Physical
Height range
28–33 cm (11–13 in)
36–39 cm (14–15.5 in)
Weight range
5–7 kg (11–15 lb)
9–10 kg (20–22 lb)
Coat type
Rough, wiry coat with soft undercoat
Wiry, dense coat
Recognized colours
Grizzle and tan, blue and tan, wheaten, red
Black and tan
Shedding
Moderate
Moderate
Grooming commitment
Moderate (hand-stripping)
Moderate (hand-stripping)
Daily life
Exercise commitment
High
High
Mental-work commitment
High
High
Training commitment
Moderate
Moderate
Vocal tendency
Border Terriers can be vocal — alert barking is common. Management includes teaching quiet and meeting the dog's needs. Close-neighbour housing is a consideration.
Welsh Terriers can be vocal — alert barking is common. Management includes teaching quiet and meeting the dog's needs. Close-neighbour housing is a consideration.
Prey-drive tendency
High prey drive and digging are defining. The breed may chase small fleeing animals and dig. Secure containment and managed expectations are essential. This is the herita…
High prey drive and boldness are defining. The breed may chase small fleeing animals and dig. Impulse control and management around triggers are core. This is the heritag…
Protective tendency
Variable
Variable
Household
Housing & experience
Variable
Variable
Children considerations
Border Terriers can live well with children and other pets when raised with them and managed carefully. The breed is generally more sociable with other dogs than many ter…
Welsh Terriers can live well with children and other pets when raised with them and managed carefully. Prey drive requires supervision around small animals. Some individu…
Other-dog considerations
Variable
Variable
Other-pet considerations
Border Terriers can live well with children and other pets when raised with them and managed carefully. The breed is generally more sociable with other dogs than many ter…
Welsh Terriers can live well with children and other pets when raised with them and managed carefully. Prey drive requires supervision around small animals. Some individu…
Training
Training style considerations
Border Terriers are intelligent and relatively biddable for a terrier; clear, fair, consistent, reward-based methods work best. Recall and impulse control are core themes…
Welsh Terriers are intelligent but strong-willed and independent; clear, fair, consistent, reward-based methods work best. Repetitive drilling reduces engagement; varied,…
Recall considerations
Variable
Variable
Health & care
Major health considerations
Commonly discussed health concerns include certain orthopedic conditions (patellar luxation, hip dysplasia), certain eye conditions (progressive retinal atrophy), certain…
Commonly discussed health concerns include certain eye conditions (glaucoma, lens luxation), certain skin conditions (allergies), certain orthopedic conditions (patellar…
Expected financial considerations
Variable
Variable
Fit & reality
What people often love
Unusually sociable and biddable for a terrier; Balanced, athletic and capable build; Distinctive otter-like head and rough coat; Generally good with people and other dogs
Compact, athletic and balanced build; Bold, confident and independent temperament; Distinctive wiry black-and-tan coat; Long-lived for a terrier
What can be difficult
High prey drive, boldness and independence requiring consistent handling; Strong-willed terrier temperament; Rough coat needs hand-stripping to preserve texture; Digging and chasing tendency
High prey drive, boldness and independence requiring consistent handling; Strong-willed terrier temperament that resists repetition; Wiry coat needs hand-stripping to preserve texture; Dog-sociability considerations — some individuals are dog-selective
Who this breed may suit
Border Terriers may suit active homes prepared for outlets, hand-stripping and consistent training. The breed's unusually sociable, biddable nature makes it one of the mo…
Welsh Terriers may suit active homes prepared for outlets, hand-stripping and consistent, engaging training. The breed's bold, independent nature can be rewarding for the…
Who should think carefully
Border Terriers may not suit first-time or casual homes unprepared for hand-stripping, or anyone wanting a low-drive companion. The breed's prey drive, digging, vocalizin…
Welsh Terriers may not suit first-time or casual homes, those unprepared for hand-stripping, or anyone wanting a biddable, low-drive companion. The breed's strong will, p…
Border Terrier
Farm Terrier
Overview
Original purpose
Vermin control and bolting fox from earths
Country / region of origin
United Kingdom (England-Scotland border)
Academy group
Farm Terrier
Life expectancy
12–15 years
Physical
Height range
28–33 cm (11–13 in)
Weight range
5–7 kg (11–15 lb)
Coat type
Rough, wiry coat with soft undercoat
Recognized colours
Grizzle and tan, blue and tan, wheaten, red
Shedding
Moderate
Grooming commitment
Moderate (hand-stripping)
Daily life
Exercise commitment
High
Mental-work commitment
High
Training commitment
Moderate
Vocal tendency
Border Terriers can be vocal — alert barking is common. Management includes teaching quiet and meeting the dog's needs. Close-neighbour housing is a consideration.
Prey-drive tendency
High prey drive and digging are defining. The breed may chase small fleeing animals and dig. Secure containment and managed expectations are essential. This is the herita…
Protective tendency
Variable
Household
Housing & experience
Variable
Children considerations
Border Terriers can live well with children and other pets when raised with them and managed carefully. The breed is generally more sociable with other dogs than many ter…
Other-dog considerations
Variable
Other-pet considerations
Border Terriers can live well with children and other pets when raised with them and managed carefully. The breed is generally more sociable with other dogs than many ter…
Training
Training style considerations
Border Terriers are intelligent and relatively biddable for a terrier; clear, fair, consistent, reward-based methods work best. Recall and impulse control are core themes…
Recall considerations
Variable
Health & care
Major health considerations
Commonly discussed health concerns include certain orthopedic conditions (patellar luxation, hip dysplasia), certain eye conditions (progressive retinal atrophy), certain…
Expected financial considerations
Variable
Fit & reality
What people often love
Unusually sociable and biddable for a terrier; Balanced, athletic and capable build; Distinctive otter-like head and rough coat; Generally good with people and other dogs
What can be difficult
High prey drive, boldness and independence requiring consistent handling; Strong-willed terrier temperament; Rough coat needs hand-stripping to preserve texture; Digging and chasing tendency
Who this breed may suit
Border Terriers may suit active homes prepared for outlets, hand-stripping and consistent training. The breed's unusually sociable, biddable nature makes it one of the mo…
Who should think carefully
Border Terriers may not suit first-time or casual homes unprepared for hand-stripping, or anyone wanting a low-drive companion. The breed's prey drive, digging, vocalizin…
Welsh Terrier
Long-Legged Terrier
Overview
Original purpose
Vermin control and above-ground hunting
Country / region of origin
United Kingdom (Wales)
Academy group
Long-Legged Terrier
Life expectancy
12–15 years
Physical
Height range
36–39 cm (14–15.5 in)
Weight range
9–10 kg (20–22 lb)
Coat type
Wiry, dense coat
Recognized colours
Black and tan
Shedding
Moderate
Grooming commitment
Moderate (hand-stripping)
Daily life
Exercise commitment
High
Mental-work commitment
High
Training commitment
Moderate
Vocal tendency
Welsh Terriers can be vocal — alert barking is common. Management includes teaching quiet and meeting the dog's needs. Close-neighbour housing is a consideration.
Prey-drive tendency
High prey drive and boldness are defining. The breed may chase small fleeing animals and dig. Impulse control and management around triggers are core. This is the heritag…
Protective tendency
Variable
Household
Housing & experience
Variable
Children considerations
Welsh Terriers can live well with children and other pets when raised with them and managed carefully. Prey drive requires supervision around small animals. Some individu…
Other-dog considerations
Variable
Other-pet considerations
Welsh Terriers can live well with children and other pets when raised with them and managed carefully. Prey drive requires supervision around small animals. Some individu…
Training
Training style considerations
Welsh Terriers are intelligent but strong-willed and independent; clear, fair, consistent, reward-based methods work best. Repetitive drilling reduces engagement; varied,…
Recall considerations
Variable
Health & care
Major health considerations
Commonly discussed health concerns include certain eye conditions (glaucoma, lens luxation), certain skin conditions (allergies), certain orthopedic conditions (patellar…
Expected financial considerations
Variable
Fit & reality
What people often love
Compact, athletic and balanced build; Bold, confident and independent temperament; Distinctive wiry black-and-tan coat; Long-lived for a terrier
What can be difficult
High prey drive, boldness and independence requiring consistent handling; Strong-willed terrier temperament that resists repetition; Wiry coat needs hand-stripping to preserve texture; Dog-sociability considerations — some individuals are dog-selective
Who this breed may suit
Welsh Terriers may suit active homes prepared for outlets, hand-stripping and consistent, engaging training. The breed's bold, independent nature can be rewarding for the…
Who should think carefully
Welsh Terriers may not suit first-time or casual homes, those unprepared for hand-stripping, or anyone wanting a biddable, low-drive companion. The breed's strong will, p…
This comparison explains differences. The better fit depends on the individual dog, the owner's experience, household, environment, goals and available time. No breed is ranked or scored.