Irish Terrier
VS
Border Terrier
Irish Terrier vs Border Terrier
Compare Irish Terrier and Border Terrier side by side and get a clear picture of what sets the breeds apart. Explore differences in size, weight, temperament, activity level, and other key traits to more easily decide which breed best fits your lifestyle and circumstances.
Characteristic
Irish Terrier
Border Terrier
Breed type
Purebred
Purebred
Height
44 – 50 cm
28 – 40 cm
Weight
11 – 15 kg
5 – 7 kg
Life expectancy
13 – 15 years
12 – 14 years
Child friendly
5/5
3/5
Energy level
4/5
3/5
Intelligence
4/5
4/5
Trainability
2/5
4/5
Health
4/5
4/5
Grooming needs
3/5
2/5
Shedding
1/5
3/5
Barking level
4/5
3/5
Aggressiveness
3/5
3/5
Characteristics
Irish Terrier
Great with kids
High energy
Super smart
Stubborn
Medium
Border Terrier
Super smart
Low grooming
Easy to train
Tiny
Summary
About Irish Terrier
Medium, athletic terrier with a wiry red coat, low shedding when properly groomed. Intelligent, energetic, and independent, needing daily exercise and mental stimulation. Deeply loyal and people‑oriented, a keen watchdog, with strong prey drive and sometimes challenging with other dogs.
About Border Terrier
Small, sturdy terrier originally bred on the England–Scotland border to hunt foxes. Affectionate, bonded to family, yet independent with strong prey drive. Needs 1–2 hours of daily exercise, secure fencing, and kind training. Wiry, weather-resistant coat needs brushing and occasional hand stripping.
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