Which is Better between the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier? A Very Detailed Review.

by

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Catahoula Leopard Dog Versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Catahoula Leopard Dog 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 Catahoula Leopard Dog 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 Catahoula Leopard Dog 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 Catahoula Leopard Dog or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier

Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Catahoula Leopard Dog belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

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.

Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Catahoula Leopard Dog 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 Catahoula Leopard Dog Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 1/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 5/5 2/5
Life Span 10 to 14 years 12 to 15 years
Easygoing 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Easy To Train 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 2/5 4/5
Height 20 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
General Health 3/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Intelligence 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 4/5
Weight 50 to 90 pounds 18 to 24 pounds
Average Lifespan 12.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $650 No Data
Price Range $400 – $800 No Data
Temperament Score 78.6 percent 71.4 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
    		•

    *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 Catahoula Leopard Dog 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 Catahoula Leopard Dog is 70 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 Catahoula Leopard Dog. 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 Catahoula Leopard Dog 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 Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    Below is a list of where the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are most different:

  • Catahoula Leopard Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Dandie Dinmont Terriers adapt well to apartment living.
  • Catahoula Leopard Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Dandie Dinmont Terriers are good for new dog owners.
  • Catahoula Leopard Dogs have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets. However, Dandie Dinmont Terriers have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Catahoula Leopard Dogs are very easy to groom. However, Dandie Dinmont Terriers require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Catahoula Leopard Dogs 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 Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier

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

  • Both the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are not very sensitive to their enviroment. They can tolerate noisy environments. They are also not very sensitive to the tone of your voice, firm or gentle.
  • Both the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are not easy to train.
  • Both the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs weigh 50 to 90 pounds when fully grown. Catahoula Leopard Dogs are 20 to 26 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 Catahoula Leopard Dog

    The Catahoula Leopard Dog has a better temperament than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Catahoula Leopard Dog is 78.6 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 78.6 percent, the Catahoula Leopard Dog 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 Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 14 Catahoula Leopard Dogs and 7 Dandie Dinmont Terriers.

    Is the Catahoula Leopard Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Catahoula Leopard Dog or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Catahoula Leopard Dog or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Which one drools more, the Catahoula Leopard Dog or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Does the Catahoula Leopard Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to 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.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Is the Catahoula Leopard Dog Easier to Train than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs are not easy to train.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers are not easy to train.

    Can Catahoula Leopard Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Can Catahoula Leopard Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

    How Kid-friendly are Catahoula Leopard Dogs and Dandie Dinmont Terriers?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

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

    Do Catahoula Leopard Dogs shed more than Dandie Dinmont Terriers?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs shed moderately.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed moderately.

    Do Catahoula Leopard Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Dandie Dinmont Terriers?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Catahoula Leopard Dog vs. Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs 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.

    Are Catahoula Leopard Dogs good family dogs? What about Dandie Dinmont Terriers?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Catahoula Leopard Dog or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?

    Catahoula Leopard Dogs 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 Catahoula Leopard Dog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Catahoula Leopard Dog 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 Catahoula Leopard Dog:

  • Chesapeake Bay Retriever (73 percent match with Catahoula Leopard Dog). Here is our comparison of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs Chesapeake Bay Retriever.
  • Hovawart (78 percent match with Catahoula Leopard Dog). Here is our comparison of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs Hovawart.
  • Boerboel (72 percent match with Catahoula Leopard Dog). Here is our comparison of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs Boerboel.

    • 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 Catahoula Leopard Dog vs Cavapoo.
  • Shih Tzu (79 percent match with Dandie Dinmont Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Catahoula Leopard Dog vs Shih Tzu.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Catahoula Leopard Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Mudi     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Silky Terrier     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Lakeland Terrier     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Belgian Sheepdog     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Ibizan Hound     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Boykin Spaniel     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Belgian Sheepdog     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Catahoula Leopard Dog versus Belgian Tervuren     

    Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Goldador     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Stabyhoun     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Cesky Terrier     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Brussels Griffon     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Standard Schnauzer     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Bluetick Coonhound     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Belgian Tervuren     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Greyhound     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Borzoi     

    Conclusion: Catahoula Leopard Dog 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 Catahoula Leopard Dog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier better suits you and your family.