All breeds, side-by-side
All 15 terrier breeds compared at a glance
Size, weight, lifespan, energy level, grooming needs, and family fit for every terrier breed in one table. Use this when you're trying to narrow down before reading a full breed guide.
Quick answer
Smallest: Yorkshire Terrier (4–7 lbs). Largest: Airedale Terrier (50–70 lbs). Longest-lived: Rat Terrier (12–18 years). Most family-friendly: Boston Terrier and Soft Coated Wheaten. Most apartment-friendly: Boston, Yorkie, Cairn, Westie, Border, Scottie, Rat, Wheaten. Easiest to train: Border Terrier. Most intense: Jack Russell and Parson Russell Terriers.
The terrier breeds comparison table
Click any breed name to read the full editorial guide for that breed.
| Breed | Size | Weight | Lifespan | Energy | Grooming | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airedale Terrier | 22–24 inches at the shoulder | 50–70 lbs | 11–14 years | High | Moderate to high — weekly brushing + 4x/year hand-stripping or trim | Excellent with confident families |
| Border Terrier | 11–16 inches at the shoulder | 11.5–15.5 lbs | 12–15 years | High | Moderate — weekly brushing + 2x/year hand-stripping | Excellent — one of the most kid-friendly terriers |
| Boston Terrier | 15–17 inches at the shoulder | 12–25 lbs | 11–13 years | Moderate to high | Low — weekly brushing | Excellent — especially with children |
| Bull Terrier | 21–22 inches at the shoulder | 50–70 lbs | 12–13 years | High | Low — weekly brushing | Good with confident adults and older children |
| Cairn Terrier | 9.5–10 inches at the shoulder | 13–14 lbs | 13–15 years | Moderate to high | Moderate — weekly brushing + 2x/year hand-strip | Excellent — sturdy small dog great with kids |
| Fox Terrier | 13–16 inches at the shoulder | 15–19 lbs | 12–15 years | Very high | Moderate (smooth) to high (wire — hand-strip) | Best with active families and older children |
| Irish Terrier | 18 inches at the shoulder | 25–27 lbs | 13–15 years | High | Moderate to high — weekly brushing + 2x/year hand-strip | Excellent with the right active family |
| Jack Russell Terrier | 10–15 inches at the shoulder | 13–17 lbs | 13–16 years | Very high | Low — weekly brushing | Best with active households, careful with toddlers |
| Parson Russell Terrier | 12–15 inches at the shoulder | 13–17 lbs | 13–15 years | Very high | Low — weekly brushing | Best with very active households and older children |
| Rat Terrier | 10–18 inches at the shoulder (Mini or Standard) | 10–25 lbs | 12–18 years | High | Very low — weekly brushing | Excellent — versatile family farm dog |
| Scottish Terrier | 10 inches at the shoulder | 18–22 lbs | 12–15 years | Moderate | High — weekly brushing + 4x/year hand-strip or trim | Best with adults and respectful older children |
| Welsh Terrier | 15–15.5 inches at the shoulder | 20 lbs | 12–15 years | High | Moderate to high — weekly brushing + 2x/year strip | Excellent with active families |
| West Highland White Terrier | 10–11 inches at the shoulder | 15–20 lbs | 13–15 years | Moderate | Moderate to high — weekly brushing + 2x/year strip or clip | Good with respectful older children |
| Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier | 17–19 inches at the shoulder | 30–40 lbs | 12–14 years | High | High — daily brushing if kept in show coat | Excellent — extremely social, great with kids |
| Yorkshire Terrier | 7–8 inches at the shoulder | 4–7 lbs | 11–15 years | Moderate — short, frequent bursts | High — daily brushing if kept in show coat | Excellent with adults, careful with toddlers |
Sources: Breed standards and conformation data from the American Kennel Club and individual breed parent clubs (see each breed page for full source list).
Terrier breed superlatives
Frequently asked questions
What is the smallest terrier breed?
The Yorkshire Terrier is the smallest of the recognized terrier breeds, standing 7–8 inches at the shoulder and weighing 4–7 pounds. The Silky Terrier (8–10 lbs) and Toy Fox Terrier are similarly small but the Yorkie is the most universally recognized toy terrier.
What is the largest terrier breed?
The Airedale Terrier is the largest terrier breed and is officially known as "The King of Terriers." Airedales stand 22–24 inches at the shoulder and weigh 50–70 pounds at adulthood — significantly larger than the next-biggest terrier breeds, which top out around 40 pounds.
Which terrier breed lives the longest?
Rat Terriers are among the longest-lived dog breeds of any kind, typically reaching 13 to 18 years with many individuals living past 16. Jack Russell Terriers and Parson Russells are also notably long-lived at 13–16+ years. Smaller terrier breeds generally outlive larger ones; the Bull Terrier and Airedale typically live 11–14 years.
Which terriers are best for apartments?
The most apartment-friendly terriers are the Boston Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier, Cairn Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, Border Terrier, Scottish Terrier, Rat Terrier, and Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. All are under 40 pounds and adapt well to indoor living with daily exercise. Avoid the Jack Russell, Parson Russell, Bull Terrier, Airedale, and Welsh Terrier for apartments unless you can commit to 90+ minutes of daily exercise.
Which terrier breeds are hypoallergenic-friendly?
No dog is truly hypoallergenic, but several terrier breeds with wire coats or hair-type coats are tolerated better by mild allergy sufferers. Top picks: Yorkshire Terrier, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Welsh Terrier, Airedale Terrier, Border Terrier, Cairn Terrier, and Scottish Terrier — all shed minimally when properly groomed. Smooth-coated terriers (Boston, Bull, Fox Terrier Smooth, Rat) shed more.
What is the friendliest terrier breed for families with kids?
The Boston Terrier and Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are the most universally family-friendly terriers — both are notably patient, sociable, and tolerant of normal kid energy. Cairn Terriers, Border Terriers, and Rat Terriers are also excellent family dogs. The Jack Russell, Bull Terrier, and Fox Terrier are best with older children (8+) due to their intensity.
What terrier breed is the easiest to train?
The Border Terrier is widely considered the most biddable of the working terrier breeds — it has the off-switch and food motivation most terriers lack. The Boston Terrier and Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier are also notably trainable. Stubborn breeds that take more patience: Scottish Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, Bull Terrier, and Jack Russell Terrier.