PuppyBase

Border Terrier vs Brittany

Side-by-side comparison across all 14 AKC trait ratings, with a clear verdict on which breed fits which kind of household.

Perfect Puppy Quiz · 5 questions · 90 seconds

Not sure which breed fits your life?

Answer five questions about your home, your schedule, and your tolerance for shedding. We’ll match you to your top three breeds from over 200.

The bottom line

Border Terrier vs Brittany

People often compare the Border Terrier and the Brittany because both are energetic, manageable in size, and thrive with active families. But that’s where the similarities fade. If you’re torn between them, you’re really choosing between a rugged little farmhand and a full-throttle field athlete. The Border Terrier is your stoic little companion. At 13 pounds, it’s half the size of a Brittany, fits in a car seat, and adapts to apartment life. just as long as you give it a solid walk or two daily. It’s affectionate without being needy, brave without being reckless. This dog will snuggle on the couch but also keep pace on a trail. It’s the better pick if you want a dog that’s easy to manage around the house, good with kids, and relatively low-shedding. The Brittany? This dog lives to move. It’s not just energetic. it needs a job. Bred to quarter fields and point birds from dawn to dusk, it’ll outlast most athletes. You can’t just walk a Brittany. You have to run, hike, or train it. It’s eager to please and a dream to train, but if you’re home late every night or don’t love the outdoors, this dog will turn your yard into a digging project. It sheds more and isn’t as clingy as the Border Terrier, but it’s deeply bonded to its people. Here’s the real talk: the Border Terrier fits your life. The Brittany demands you fit into its life. If you don’t already hike 10 miles a week, the Brittany will make you start. And if you do? You’ll have the most thrilling, grateful partner out there.

Border Terrier
Brittany
12–15 in
Height
17.5–20.5 in
11.5–15.5 lb
Weight
30–40 lb
12–15 yr
Lifespan
12–14 yr
$1.5–3.0k
Puppy price
$1.2–3.0k
#88
AKC popularity
#26

Trait-by-trait

Higher bar = more of that trait. Shedding, barking, drooling, grooming flipped for readability.
Affectionate w/ Family
Good with Young Children
Good with Other Dogs
Shedding Level
Coat Grooming
Drooling Level
Good with Strangers
Playfulness
Watchdog / Protective
Adaptability
Trainability
Energy Level
Barking Level
Mental Stimulation Needs
AffectionGood w/ KidsGood w/ DogsShedding LevelGroomingDrooling LevelGood w/ StrangersPlayfulnessProtectiveAdaptabilityTrainabilityEnergy LevelBarking LevelMental Stim.
Border Terrier Brittany
Overlay

Where they diverge

Energy Level
Brittany has more energy (2-point difference)
Brittany
Affectionate w/ Family
Border Terrier is more affectionate (1-point difference)
Border
Good with Young Children
Border Terrier is better with kids (1-point difference)
Border
Good with Other Dogs
Brittany is better with other dogs (1-point difference)
Brittany
Shedding Level
Border Terrier sheds less (1-point difference)
Border
The verdict

Choose the Border Terrier if…

  • Active people
  • Families
  • Apartments (with exercise)
  • You value affectionate w/ familyBorder Terrier scores noticeably higher.

Choose the Brittany if…

  • Active families
  • Hunters
  • Runners and hikers
  • You value energy levelBrittany scores higher here.
Border Terrier Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your Border Terrier home.
Breed variants, breeder red flags, and what to ask
First-week checklist and daily schedules by age
Training timeline from 8 weeks to adulthood
Health screenings, emergency card, and feeding portions
Grooming schedule, first-year costs, and what nobody tells you
Get Your Guide
Brittany Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your Brittany home.
Breed variants, breeder red flags, and what to ask
First-week checklist and daily schedules by age
Training timeline from 8 weeks to adulthood
Health screenings, emergency card, and feeding portions
Grooming schedule, first-year costs, and what nobody tells you
Get Your Guide

Other comparisons people run