Differences and Similarities between the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.

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Caucasian Shepherd Dog Versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Introduction

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

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

Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is a giant-sized dog while the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a tiny-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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.

Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 4/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 15 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 4/5
Easygoing 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 2/5
Easy To Train 2/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 4/5
Height 24 to 34 inches 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
General Health 3/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 2/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 3/5
Weight 80 to 220 pounds 18 to 24 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $2110 No Data
Price Range $1500 – $2500 No Data
Temperament Score 85.0 percent 71.4 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Dentition
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye examination, results registered with the OFA.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
    		•
  • 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 Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog is 69 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 Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier

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

  • Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Dandie Dinmont Terriers are good for new dog owners.
  • Caucasian Shepherd Dogs have a very high tendency to drool. However, Dandie Dinmont Terriers do not have the tendency to drool.

    • The Similarities Between the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier

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

  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are not easy to train.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier have low exercise needs.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier

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

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs weigh 80 to 220 pounds when fully grown. Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are 24 to 34 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.

    Temperament of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus the Caucasian Shepherd Dog

    The Caucasian Shepherd Dog has a better temperament than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Caucasian Shepherd Dog is 85.0 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 85.0 percent, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 20 Caucasian Shepherd Dogs and 7 Dandie Dinmont Terriers.

    Health Problems of Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Caucasian Shepherd Dog than for the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.

    7 health tests are recommended for Caucasian Shepherd Dog while 2 tests are recommended for the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Caucasian Shepherd Dogs and in Dandie Dinmont Terriers.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dog Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Dentition
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye examination, results registered with the OFA.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Caucasian Shepherd Dogs 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.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Is the Caucasian Shepherd Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Can Caucasian Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs 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.

    How Kid-friendly are Caucasian Shepherd Dogs and Dandie Dinmont Terriers?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

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

    Is the Caucasian Shepherd Dog Easier to Train than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are not easy to train.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers are not easy to train.

    Wanderlust Potential: Caucasian Shepherd Dog vs. Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs 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.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Does the Caucasian Shepherd Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Dandie Dinmont Terriers?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Are Caucasian Shepherd Dogs good family dogs? What about Dandie Dinmont Terriers?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    Do Caucasian Shepherd Dogs shed more than Dandie Dinmont Terriers?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs have a very high tendency to drool.

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

    Can Caucasian Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Caucasian Shepherd Dog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog:

  • Afador (76 percent match with Caucasian Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs Afador.
  • Akbash (73 percent match with Caucasian Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs Akbash.
  • Mastiff (72 percent match with Caucasian Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs Mastiff.
  • Boerboel (71 percent match with Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog vs Cavapoo.
  • Shih Tzu (79 percent match with Dandie Dinmont Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog vs Shih Tzu.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Caucasian Shepherd Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Afador     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Irish Setter     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Peek A Poo     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Affenhuahua     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus English Cocker Spaniel     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Azawakh     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Pomeranian     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Havanese     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Silky Terrier     

    Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Giant Schnauzer     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus American Hairless Terrier     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Toy Fox Terrier     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Toy Fox Terrier     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Plott     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Jack Russell Terrier     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Goldendoodle     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Lhasapoo     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Australian Terrier     

    Conclusion: Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier better suits you and your family.