Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Cairn Terrier Versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Introduction
- Cairn Terrier versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Overview
- Cairn Terrier versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Cairn Terrier and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- The Similarities Between the Cairn Terrier and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Size (Weight and Height) of Cairn Terrier versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Temperament of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus the Cairn Terrier
- The Intelligence of the Cairn Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- The Popularity of Cairn Terrier versus Popularity of Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Health Problems of Cairn Terrier versus Health Problems of Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: Cairn Terrier versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Which one drools more, the Cairn Terrier or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Is the Cairn Terrier Easier to Train than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
- Do Cairn Terriers shed more than Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
- Wanderlust Potential: Cairn Terrier vs. Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Can Cairn Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can Cairn Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Cairn Terrier or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
- Does the Cairn Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
- Do Cairn Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
- Are Cairn Terriers good family dogs? What about Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
- How Kid-friendly are Cairn Terriers and Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Cairn Terrier or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Cairn Terrier
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Cairn Terrier versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
Cairn Terrier Versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Cairn Terrier and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Cairn Terrier 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 Cairn Terrier and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Cairn Terrier 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 Cairn Terrier 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 more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Cairn Terrier 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 Cairn Terrier or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Cairn Terrier versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Overview
Both the Cairn Terrier and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are similar in size. The Cairn Terrier and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are both tiny-sized dogs.
Furthermore, both the Cairn Terrier and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are Terrier Dogs. This means both the Cairn Terrier and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier 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.
Cairn Terrier versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Cairn Terrier 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.
| Factor | Cairn Terrier | Dandie Dinmont Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Weight | 13 to 14 pounds | 18 to 24 pounds |
| Easy To Train | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Height | 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder | 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1600 | No Data |
| Price Range | $1475 – $1750 | No Data |
| Temperament Score | 75.5 percent | 71.4 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 69 | 173 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 35 | 62 |
*Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Cairn Terrier 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 a Cairn Terrier is 86 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Dandie Dinmont Terrier is 80 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Cairn Terrier is a better pet than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. So, you should get the Cairn 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 Cairn Terrier 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 Cairn Terrier and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Below is a list of where the Cairn Terrier and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are most different:
The Similarities Between the Cairn Terrier and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
The Cairn Terrier and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Cairn Terrier and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Cairn Terrier versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Cairn Terrier and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
Cairn Terriers weigh 13 to 14 pounds when fully grown. Cairn Terriers are 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder 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.
Temperament of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus the Cairn Terrier
The Cairn Terrier has a better temperament than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
This is because the temperament score for the Cairn Terrier is 75.5 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 they 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 75.5 percent, the Cairn Terrier has a below-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 Cairn Terrier and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 53 Cairn Terriers and 7 Dandie Dinmont Terriers.
The Intelligence of the Cairn Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
| Cairn Terrier | Dandie Dinmont Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 35 out of 130 dog breeds | 62 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 Repetitions | 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:
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 Cairn Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 35 out of 130 dog breeds. The Cairn Terrier belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Cairn Terriers tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions.
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 Cairn Terrier is more intelligent than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
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.
The Popularity of Cairn Terrier versus Popularity of Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Cairn Terrier and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Cairn Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Cairn Terrier is 69 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is 173 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Cairn Terrier
Popularity of Dandie Dinmont Terrier
| Year | Cairn Terrier Popularity Rank | Dandie Dinmont Terrier Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 61 | 168 |
| 2014 | 69 | 167 |
| 2015 | 70 | 172 |
| 2016 | 70 | 167 |
| 2017 | 69 | 182 |
| 2018 | 69 | 176 |
| 2019 | 72 | 174 |
| 2020 | 73 | 181 |
Health Problems of Cairn Terrier versus Health Problems of Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.
Both the Cairn Terrier 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 Cairn Terrier is prone to more genetic health problems than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Cairn Terrier than for the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
4 health tests are recommended for Cairn Terrier while 2 tests are recommended for the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Cairn Terriers and in Dandie Dinmont Terriers.
Cairn Terrier Health Problems
Cairn Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Cairn 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 Cairn Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Cairn 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 Cairn Terriers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Cairn Terriers 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:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Dandie Dinmont Terriers here.
Tolerates Being Alone: Cairn Terrier versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Cairn Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Which one drools more, the Cairn Terrier or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Cairn Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Is the Cairn Terrier Easier to Train than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
Cairn Terriers are not easy to train.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers are not easy to train.
Do Cairn Terriers shed more than Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
Cairn Terriers shed moderately.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed moderately.
Wanderlust Potential: Cairn Terrier vs. Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Cairn Terriers 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.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Cairn Terrier or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
Cairn Terriers are very good for new dog owners.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers are very good for new dog owners.
Can Cairn Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Cairn Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Can Cairn Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Cairn Terriers can tolerate hot weather.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Cairn Terrier or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
Cairn Terriers get along very well with other dogs.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.
Does the Cairn Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
Cairn 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.
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 Cairn Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
Cairn Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Is the Cairn Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
Cairn Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
Are Cairn Terriers good family dogs? What about Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
Cairn Terriers 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 Cairn Terriers and Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
Cairn Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Cairn Terrier or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
Cairn Terriers are very easy to groom.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Cairn Terrier
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Cairn Terrier that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Cairn Terrier:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Dandie Dinmont Terrier that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Dandie Dinmont Terrier:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Cairn Terrier and how the Dandie Dinmont Terrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Cairn Terrier and of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier to other breeds:
Cairn Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Cairn Terrier versus Braque du Bourbonnais Cairn Terrier versus Golden Cocker Retriever Cairn Terrier versus Biewer Terrier Cairn Terrier versus Chinese Crested Cairn Terrier versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde Cairn Terrier versus Chinese Shar-Pei Cairn Terrier versus Catahoula Bulldog Cairn Terrier versus Golden Cocker Retriever Cairn Terrier versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle Cairn Terrier versus Shetland Sheepdog
Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Australian Kelpie Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus American Eskimo Dog Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Clumber Spaniel Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Havanese Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Border Terrier Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Ibizan Hound Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Havanese Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Cockapoo Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Cavachon Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Maltese
Conclusion: Cairn Terrier 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 Cairn Terrier and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier better suits you and your family.