Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Introduction
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Overview
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Comparison Table
- The Similarities Between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Size (Weight and Height) of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Temperament of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Versus the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- The Intelligence of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus the Intelligence of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- The Popularity of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Popularity of Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Health Problems of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Health Problems of Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Which one drools more, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Can Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
- Wanderlust Potential: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs. Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Can Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed more than Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
- Does the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
- Is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Easier to Train than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
- Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels good family dogs? What about Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
- How Kid-friendly are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Overview
A very important difference between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small-sized dog while the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.
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.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | Dandie Dinmont Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 12 to 13 inches at the shoulder | 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Weight | 13 to 18 pounds | 18 to 24 pounds |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Life Span | 9 to 15 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Average Lifespan | 12.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $2440 | No Data |
| Price Range | $1800 – $3000 | No Data |
| Temperament Score | 85.5 percent | 71.4 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 18 | 173 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 44 | 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 91 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a better pet than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. So, you should get the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel!
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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Similarities Between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels weigh 13 to 18 pounds when fully grown. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are 12 to 13 inches 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Versus the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a better temperament than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
This is because the temperament score for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 85.5 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 85.5 percent, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 62 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and 7 Dandie Dinmont Terriers.
The Intelligence of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus the Intelligence of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | Dandie Dinmont Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 44 out of 130 dog breeds | 62 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has an obedience intelligence rank of 44 out of 130 dog breeds. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Cavalier King Charles Spaniels tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is more popular with dog owners than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 18 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Popularity of Dandie Dinmont Terrier
| Year | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Popularity Rank | Dandie Dinmont Terrier Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 18 | 168 |
| 2014 | 19 | 167 |
| 2015 | 18 | 172 |
| 2016 | 19 | 167 |
| 2017 | 19 | 182 |
| 2018 | 18 | 176 |
| 2019 | 16 | 174 |
| 2020 | 17 | 181 |
Health Problems of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is prone to more genetic health problems than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel than for the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
4 health tests are recommended for Cavalier King Charles Spaniel while 2 tests are recommended for the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and in Dandie Dinmont Terriers.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Health Problems
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 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: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do not like to be left alone.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Which one drools more, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Can Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 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.
Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 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.
Wanderlust Potential: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs. Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed more than Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed moderately.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed moderately.
Does the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 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.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very easy to groom.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Easier to Train than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very easy to train.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers are not easy to train.
Is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers are very good for new dog owners.
Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels good family dogs? What about Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel:
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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and how the Dandie Dinmont Terrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier to other breeds:
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Curly-Coated Retriever Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Norfolk Terrier Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus American Bulldog Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Boxerdoodle Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Curly-Coated Retriever Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Irish Setter Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Lhasa Apso Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Boxer Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Finnish Spitz Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Vizsla
Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Akbash Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Berger Picard Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Mudi Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Coton de Tulear Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Brussels Griffon Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Schipperke Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Scottish Terrier Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Treeing Walker Coonhound Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Irish Wolfhound
Conclusion: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier better suits you and your family.