Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Cairn Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier – Which one is a better dog breed for you?

"Find similarities and differences between Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Cairn Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier" Compare Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Cairn Terrier. Which is better: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or Cairn Terrier or West Highland White Terrier?

General Appearance Hair & Care Characteristics Good With Health Factors Reproducibility Show differences only

Name	Cavalier King Charles Spaniel	Cairn Terrier	West Highland White Terrier
Origins	England	Scotland	Scotland
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Companion Dogs	Hunting Dogs	Hunting Dogs
Popularity Rank	19	69	42
Reviews	3	3	1
Rate

Other Names	Cav, Cavalier, Cavie	Cairn, Toto Dog	Poltalloch Terrier, Roseneath Terrier, White Roseneath Terrier, Westie (or Westy)
Breed Type	Purebred	Purebred	Purebred
AKC Group	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1995 as a Toy breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1913 as a Terrier breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908 as a Terrier breed.
FCI Group	Recognized by FCI in the Companion and Toy Dogs group, in the English Toy Spaniels section.	Recognized by FCI in the Terriers group, in the Small sized Terriers section.	Recognized by FCI in the Terriers group, in the Small sized Terriers section.
Breed Recognition	American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club	American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club Club Espanol De Terriers	American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club Club Espanol De Terriers
Price	$1200-$1500	$700-$1000	$900-$1200

General Appearance - Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Cairn Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier

Size	Small	Small	Small
Weight	10-18 pounds (5-8 kg)	Male: 14-18 pounds (6-8 kg), Female: 13-17 pounds (6-8 kg)	Male: 15-22 pounds (7-10 kg), Female: 13-16 pounds (6-7 kg)
Avg. Weight	14 pounds (6.5 kg)	Male: 16 pounds (7 kg), Female: 15 pounds (7 kg)	Male: 18.5 pounds (8.5 kg), Female: 14.5 pounds (6.5 kg)
Height	12-13 inches (30-33 cm)	Male: 10-13 inches (25-33 cm), Female: 9-12 inches (23-30 cm)	Male: 10-12 inches (25-30 cm), Female: 9-11 inches (23-28 cm)
Avg. Height	12.5 inches (31.5 cm)	Male: 11.5 inches (29 cm), Female: 10.5 inches (26.5 cm)	Male: 11 inches (27.5 cm), Female: 10 inches (25.5 cm)

Hair & Care - Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Cairn Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier

Coat	Feathered	Waterproof	Dense
Colors	Tan Blenheim Tricolor Ruby	Cream Red Wheaten Brindle Gray Silver Black	White
Grooming	Average: The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel requires average grooming effort.	Average: The Cairn Terrier requires average grooming effort.	Advanced: The West Highland White Terrier requires a lot of grooming.
Shedding Level	Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed above average.	Cairn Terriers shed moderately.	West Highland White Terriers shed none to minimal.

Characteristics - Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Cairn Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier

Temperament	Affectionate Courageous Intelligent Cheerful Gentle Social Polite Quiet Active Graceful Fearless Friendly Nonaggressive Sporty No tendency towards nervousness	Active Courageous Intelligent Assertive Fearless	Affectionate Courageous Friendly Independent Alert Intelligent
Intelligent Rank	Average: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel's has average obedience intelligence.	Smart: Cairn Terrier's has great intelligence.	Average: West Highland White Terrier's has average obedience intelligence.
Trainability	Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are quite easy to train.	Cairn Terriers are easy to train.	West Highland White Terriers are easy to train.
Playfulness	Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, like any other dog breed, like playing.	The Cairn Terrier is a playful breed.	The West Highland White Terrier is a highly playful breed.
Sensitivity Level	Cavalier King Charles Spaniels don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household and frequent guest visits.	Cairn Terriers have an average emotional level and are not the most sensitive dog breed.	They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds.
Affection Level	Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers.	Cairn Terriers are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers.	West Highland White Terriers are highly affectionate dogs.
Social Needs	Cavalier King Charles Spaniels need a lot of social interaction.	Cairn Terriers need a lot of social interaction.	West Highland White Terriers are a social breed.
Barking	Average: The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel barks occasionally.	High: The Cairn Terrier is a very vocal breed.	High: The West Highland White Terrier is a very vocal breed.
Watchdog Ability	Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not the best watchdogs.	Cairn Terriers are good watchdogs.	West Highland White Terriers are average watchdogs.
Territorial	Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not the best to protect their territory.	Cairn Terriers are average defenders.	West Highland White Terriers are extremely protective guard dogs.
Biting Potential	Low The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a low chance of biting somebody.	Low The Cairn Terrier has a low chance of biting somebody.	Low The West Highland White Terrier has a low chance of biting somebody.
Mouthiness	Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have an average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people.	Cairn Terriers have an average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people.	West Highland White Terriers have lower than average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people.
Impulse to Wander or Roam	Cavalier King Charles Spaniels tend to escape less than other breeds.	Cairn Terriers have average wanderlust potential.	West Highland White Terriers have average wanderlust potential.
Prey Drive	Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have an average prey drive, which means that they don't have a high impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals, but it might happen.	Cairn Terriers have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds.	West Highland White Terriers have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds.
Apartment Friendly	Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very apartment-friendly dogs.	Cairn Terriers are not the best choice for an apartment lifestyle, but they don't mind being inside if you walk them several times every day.	West Highland White Terriers are not the best choice for an apartment lifestyle, but they don't mind being inside if you walk them several times every day.
Adaptability	Cavalier King Charles Spaniels adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.	Cairn Terriers adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually.	West Highland White Terriers adapt well to lifestyle changes and different living environments.
Tolerates Being Left Alone	Cavalier King Charles Spaniels tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.	Cairn Terriers tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.	West Highland White Terriers do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work.
Fighting Dog	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.

Good With - Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Cairn Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier

Stranger Friendly	Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very stranger friendly dogs.	Cairn Terriers are average friendly towards strangers.	West Highland White Terriers are stranger friendly dogs.
Child Friendly	Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very kid-friendly dogs.	Cairn Terriers are kid-friendly dogs.	West Highland White Terriers are kid-friendly dogs.
Cat Friendly	Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are average friendly towards cats.	Cairn Terriers are average friendly towards cats.	West Highland White Terriers are average friendly towards cats.
Dog Friendly	Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very dog-friendly dogs.	Cairn Terriers are average friendly towards other dogs.	West Highland White Terriers are dog-friendly dogs.
Office Friendly	No Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is not the best dog breed for office environment.	Yes Cairn Terrier is one of the best dog breeds for office environment	No West Highland White Terrier is not the best dog breed for office environment.
Senior Citizens Friendly	Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are one of the best breeds for elderly people.	Cairn Terriers are usually recommended for elderly people.	West Highland White Terriers are usually recommended for elderly people.
Pet Friendly	Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are generally with other pets.	Cairn Terriers are generally with other pets.	West Highland White Terriers are generally with other pets.
Good For First Time Owners	No Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality.	Yes Cairn Terriers are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.	No West Highland White Terriers are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality.
Service Dog	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog.	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog.	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog.
Therapy Dog	Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog.	Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog.	Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog.
Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog	Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones.	Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones.	Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones.
Search and Rescue Dog (SAR)	Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people.	Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people.	Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people.
Boat Dog	Not really Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.	Not really Cairn Terrier breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.	Not really West Highland White Terrier breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.
Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling.	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling.	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling.

Health Factors - Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Cairn Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier

Health Issues	Cavalier King Charles Spaniels tend to have more and frequent health issues than other breeds.	Cairn Terriers tend to have more and frequent health issues than other breeds.	Very healthy dog breed.
Health Problems	Dry Eye Episodic Falling Syndrome Hip Dysplasia Mitral Valve Disease Patellar Luxation Syringomyelia	Cataracts Craniomandibular Osteopathy Cryptorchidism Glaucoma Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy Hypothyroidism Legg-perthes Disease Luxating Patella Microvascular Dysplasia Portosystemic Vascular Anomaly (PSVA) Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)	Atopic Dermatitis Cataracts Craniomandibular Osteopathy Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy Hyperplastic Dermatosis Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Legg-perthes Disease Patellar Luxation Pulmonary Fibrosis White Dog Shaker Syndrome
Life Expectancy	10-14 years	12-15 years	12-16 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Hypoallergenic	No	Yes	Yes
Energy Level	Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have an average energy level, so if you live a semi-active life, this breed can be a good choice for you.	Cairn Terriers are high energy dogs.	West Highland White Terriers have a higher energy level than other dog breeds.
Exercise Need	Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have an average exercise need.	Cairn Terriers need quite a lot of exercise.	West Highland White Terriers need quite a lot of exercise.
Sleeping Need	Cavalier King Charles Spaniels sleep 12-14 hours a day as an average dog and they're not considered as a lazy breed.	Cairn Terriers don't need too much sleep.	West Highland White Terriers are quite energetic dogs and they don't spend to much time with sleeping.
Avg. daily food consumption	1 to 1.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.	0.5 to 1.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.	1/2 to 1.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.
Weight Gain Potential	Average to High.	Average.	Average to High.
Weather & Climate	Tolerates warm and cold weather.	Prefers average to cold weather conditions The Cairn Terrier can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog.	Prefers average to cold weather conditions The West Highland White Terrier can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog.
Stinkiness	High The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a high chance of bad smell.	Medium The Cairn Terrier has an average chance of bad smell.	Low The West Highland White Terrier has a low chance of bad smell.
Drooling tendency	The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency.	The Cairn Terrier is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency.	The West Highland White Terrier is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency.

Reproducibility - Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Cairn Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier

Gestation Length	60-64 days	60-64 days	60-64 days
How often can the have a litter?	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy.
Litter Size	3-5 puppies	2-10 puppies	2-5 puppies
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