Differences and Similarities between the Cane Corso and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.

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Cane Corso Versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Cane Corso 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 Cane Corso 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 Cane Corso and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Cane Corso 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 Cane Corso 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 Cane Corso 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 Cane Corso or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier

Cane Corso versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Cane Corso 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.

Cane Corso versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Cane Corso 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 Cane Corso Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Height 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 15 years
Kid-Friendly 2/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 2/5 4/5
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
General Health 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 2/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 2/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 2/5
Intelligence 5/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 4/5
Weight 90 to 120 pounds 18 to 24 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $2020 No Data
Price Range $1500 – $2500 No Data
Temperament Score 88.1 percent 71.4 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 37 173

    *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 Cane Corso 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 Cane Corso is 68 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 Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a better pet than the Cane Corso. 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 Cane Corso 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 Cane Corso and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    Below is a list of where the Cane Corso and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are most different:

  • Cane Corsos do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Dandie Dinmont Terriers adapt well to apartment living.
  • Cane Corsos are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Dandie Dinmont Terriers are good for new dog owners.
  • Cane Corsos have a very high tendency to drool. However, Dandie Dinmont Terriers do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Cane Corsos are very easy to groom. However, Dandie Dinmont Terriers require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Cane Corsos require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise. However, Dandie Dinmont Terriers have low exercise needs.
  • The Similarities Between the Cane Corso and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier

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

  • Both the Cane Corso and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Cane Corso and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Cane Corso and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Cane Corso and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Cane Corso and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Cane Corso and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Cane Corso and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Cane Corso and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Cane Corso and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Cane Corso versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Cane Corso and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.

    Cane Corsos weigh 90 to 120 pounds when fully grown. Cane Corsos are 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the 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 Cane Corso

    The Cane Corso has a better temperament than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Cane Corso is 88.1 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 88.1 percent, the Cane Corso 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 Cane Corso and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 235 Cane Corsos and 7 Dandie Dinmont Terriers.

    The Popularity of Cane Corso 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 Cane Corso and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Cane Corso is more popular with dog owners than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Cane Corso is 37 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 Cane Corso

    Popularity of Cane Corso

    Popularity of Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    Popularity of Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    Year Cane Corso Popularity Rank Dandie Dinmont Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 50 168
    2014 48 167
    2015 35 172
    2016 40 167
    2017 37 182
    2018 32 176
    2019 30 174
    2020 25 181

    Health Problems of Cane Corso 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 Cane Corso 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 Cane Corso is prone to more genetic health problems than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.

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

    7 health tests are recommended for Cane Corso while 2 tests are recommended for the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Cane Corsos and in Dandie Dinmont Terriers.

    Cane Corso Health Problems

    Cane Corsos are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Cane Corso 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 Cane Corso puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Cane Corso 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 Cane Corsos for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Cane Corsos 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.

    Is the Cane Corso Better for Apartment Owners than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?

    Cane Corsos do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Cane Corso or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?

    Cane Corsos are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Cane Corso versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    Cane Corsos do not like to be left alone.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    How Kid-friendly are Cane Corsos and Dandie Dinmont Terriers?

    Cane Corsos do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Cane Corso vs. Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    Cane Corsos do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

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

    Can Cane Corsos Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Cane Corsos can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Cane Corso or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?

    Cane Corsos get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Do Cane Corsos shed more than Dandie Dinmont Terriers?

    Cane Corsos shed moderately.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed moderately.

    Do Cane Corsos Bark and Howl? What about Dandie Dinmont Terriers?

    Cane Corsos bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Cane Corsos Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Cane Corsos can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Are Cane Corsos good family dogs? What about Dandie Dinmont Terriers?

    Cane Corsos are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    Which one drools more, the Cane Corso or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    Cane Corsos have a very high tendency to drool.

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

    Is the Cane Corso Easier to Train than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?

    Cane Corsos are very easy to train.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers are not easy to train.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Cane Corso or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?

    Cane Corsos are very easy to groom.

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

    Does the Cane Corso Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?

    Cane Corsos 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.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Cane Corso

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Cane Corso 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 Cane Corso:

  • Fila Brasileiro (76 percent match with Cane Corso). Here is our comparison of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs Fila Brasileiro.
  • 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:

  • Cavapoo (79 percent match with Dandie Dinmont Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Cane Corso vs Cavapoo.
  • Shih Tzu (79 percent match with Dandie Dinmont Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Cane Corso vs Shih Tzu.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Cane Corso and how the Dandie Dinmont Terrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Cane Corso and of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier to other breeds:

    Cane Corso Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Cane Corso versus Bluetick Coonhound     Cane Corso versus Boxer     Cane Corso versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Cane Corso versus Pomeranian     Cane Corso versus Morkie     Cane Corso versus Kooikerhondje     Cane Corso versus Doberman Pinscher     Cane Corso versus Puli     Cane Corso versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Cane Corso versus Gordon Setter     

    Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Bulldog     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Tibetan Mastiff     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Pug     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Shiloh Shepherd     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Pharaoh Hound     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus West Highland White Terrier     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Papipoo     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Berger Picard     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Field Spaniel     

    Conclusion: Cane Corso 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 Cane Corso and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier better suits you and your family.