Which is Better Between the American Bulldog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?

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American Bulldog Versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the American Bulldog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the American Bulldog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the American Bulldog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the American Bulldog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the American Bulldog and for the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the American Bulldog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the American Bulldog or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.

American Bulldog versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the American Bulldog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The American Bulldog is a large-sized dog while the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a tiny-sized dog.

Furthermore, the American Bulldog belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

On the other hand, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

American Bulldog versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the American Bulldog to the Dandie Dinmont Terrier based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the American Bulldog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier

FactorAmerican BulldogDandie Dinmont Terrier
Adapts Well To Apartment Living1/54/5
Good For Novice Owners1/54/5
Tolerates Being Alone1/52/5
Does NOT Shed5/53/5
Life Span10 to 16 years12 to 15 years
Tolerates Cold Weather2/53/5
Tolerates Hot Weather2/53/5
Dog Friendly2/53/5
Friendly Toward Strangers2/53/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight4/52/5
Does NOT chew on things4/53/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl4/54/5
Height20 to 28 inches8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder
General Health3/53/5
Intelligence3/53/5
Tendency NOT to Wander3/53/5
Easygoing2/53/5
Kid-Friendly4/54/5
Does NOT Drool2/55/5
Easy To Groom4/52/5
Easy To Train4/52/5
Low Prey Drive2/52/5
NOT Rambunctious2/53/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor2/53/5
Minimal Exercise Needs2/54/5
Potential For Playfulness4/54/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Weight60 to 120 pounds18 to 24 pounds
Average Lifespan13.0 years13.5 years
Average Price$1400No Data
Price Range$912 – $1600No Data
Temperament Score86.9 percent71.4 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • approved laboratory
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • HYPERURICOSURIA
  • Ichthyosis
  • LIPOFUSCINOSIS (LAM)
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
    • Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)7762

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the American Bulldog in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the American Bulldog is 70 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is 80 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a better pet than the American Bulldog. So, you should get the Dandie Dinmont Terrier!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the American Bulldog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the American Bulldog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    Below is a list of where the American Bulldog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are most different:

    • American Bulldogs do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Dandie Dinmont Terriers adapt well to apartment living.
    • American Bulldogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Dandie Dinmont Terriers are good for new dog owners.
    • American Bulldogs have a very high tendency to drool. However, Dandie Dinmont Terriers do not have the tendency to drool.

    The Similarities Between the American Bulldog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    The American Bulldog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the American Bulldog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are most similar:

    • Both the American Bulldog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the American Bulldog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
    • Both the American Bulldog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
    • Both the American Bulldog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier do not get along well with other dogs.
    • Both the American Bulldog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are not very friendly towards strangers.
    • Both the American Bulldog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are not prone to nip and chew at things.
    • Both the American Bulldog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
    • Both the American Bulldog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
    • Both the American Bulldog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the American Bulldog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
    • Both the American Bulldog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the American Bulldog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
    • Both the American Bulldog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are very playful.
    • Both the American Bulldog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Size Comparison of American Bulldog versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the American Bulldog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.

    American Bulldogs weigh 60 to 120 pounds when fully grown. American Bulldogs are 20 to 28 inches when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Dandie Dinmont Terriers weigh 18 to 24 pounds when fully grown. Dandie Dinmont Terriers are 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of American Bulldog versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    The lifespan of American Bulldogs is between 10 to 16 years. The average lifespan of American Bulldogs is 13.0 years.

    The lifespan of Dandie Dinmont Terriers is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Dandie Dinmont Terriers is 13.5 years.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers live longer than American Bulldogs.

    Temperament of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus the American Bulldog

    The American Bulldog has a better temperament than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the American Bulldog is 86.9 percent while the temperament score for the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is 71.4 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 86.9 percent, the American Bulldog has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 71.4 percent, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the American Bulldog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 214 American Bulldogs and 7 Dandie Dinmont Terriers.

    The Intelligence of the American Bulldog versus the Intelligence of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier

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    American Bulldog Dandie Dinmont Terrier
    Intelligence Rank 77 out of 130 dog breeds 62 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More! Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 Repetitions!

    Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.

    According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
    • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
    • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
    • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.

    Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.

    This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.

    To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.

    Prof. Coren found that the American Bulldog has an obedience intelligence rank of 77 out of 130 dog breeds. The American Bulldog belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that American Bulldogs tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.

    The Dandie Dinmont Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 62 out of 130 dog breeds. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Dandie Dinmont Terriers tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 repetitions!.

    The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is more intelligent than the American Bulldog.

    However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.

    Health Problems of American Bulldog versus Health Problems of Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the American Bulldog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the American Bulldog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the American Bulldog than for the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.

    7 health tests are recommended for American Bulldog while 2 tests are recommended for the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in American Bulldogs and in Dandie Dinmont Terriers.

    American Bulldog Health Problems

    American Bulldogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing American Bulldog puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a American Bulldog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your American Bulldog breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen American Bulldogs for:

  • approved laboratory
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • HYPERURICOSURIA
  • Ichthyosis
  • LIPOFUSCINOSIS (LAM)

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for American Bulldogs here.

    Dandie Dinmont Terrier Health Problems

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Dandie Dinmont Terrier puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Dandie Dinmont Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Dandie Dinmont Terrier breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Dandie Dinmont Terriers for:

  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Dandie Dinmont Terriers here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: American Bulldog versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    American Bulldogs do not like to be left alone.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do American Bulldogs shed more than Dandie Dinmont Terriers?

    American Bulldogs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the American Bulldog or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    American Bulldogs have a very high tendency to drool.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the American Bulldog or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?

    American Bulldogs are very easy to groom.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the American Bulldog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?

    American Bulldogs have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Do American Bulldogs Bark and Howl? What about Dandie Dinmont Terriers?

    American Bulldogs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can American Bulldogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    American Bulldogs cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: American Bulldog vs. Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    American Bulldogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can American Bulldogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    American Bulldogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the American Bulldog or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?

    American Bulldogs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are American Bulldogs good family dogs? What about Dandie Dinmont Terriers?

    American Bulldogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are American Bulldogs and Dandie Dinmont Terriers?

    American Bulldogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the American Bulldog Easier to Train than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?

    American Bulldogs are very easy to train.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers are not easy to train.

    Is the American Bulldog Better for Apartment Owners than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?

    American Bulldogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the American Bulldog or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?

    American Bulldogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: American Bulldog versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the American Bulldog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier better suits you and your family.