Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Chow Chow Versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Introduction
- Chow Chow versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Overview
- Chow Chow versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chow Chow and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- The Similarities Between the Chow Chow and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Size (Weight and Height) of Chow Chow versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Temperament of the Chow Chow Versus the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- The Intelligence of the Chow Chow versus the Intelligence of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- The Popularity of Chow Chow versus Popularity of Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Health Problems of Chow Chow versus Health Problems of Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- How Kid-friendly are Chow Chows and Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chow Chow or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
- Do Chow Chows shed more than Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Chow Chow or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
- Do Chow Chows Bark and Howl? What about Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
- Can Chow Chows Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Are Chow Chows good family dogs? What about Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
- Is the Chow Chow Easier to Train than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
- Does the Chow Chow Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
- Wanderlust Potential: Chow Chow vs. Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Which one drools more, the Chow Chow or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: Chow Chow versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Can Chow Chows Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Chow Chow
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Chow Chow versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
Chow Chow Versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Chow Chow versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Overview
A very important difference between the Chow Chow and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Chow Chow is a large-sized dog while the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Chow Chow 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.
Chow Chow versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Chow Chow 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 | Chow Chow | Dandie Dinmont Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Kid-Friendly | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Height | 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder | 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 40 to 70 pounds | 18 to 24 pounds |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1750 | No Data |
| Price Range | $1000 – $2500 | No Data |
| Temperament Score | 71.7 percent | 71.4 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 74 | 173 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 76 | 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 Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow. 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 Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Below is a list of where the Chow Chow and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are most different:
The Similarities Between the Chow Chow and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
The Chow Chow and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Chow Chow and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Chow Chow versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chow Chow and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
Chow Chows weigh 40 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Chow Chows are 17 to 20 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 Chow Chow Versus the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
The Chow Chow has a better temperament than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
This is because the temperament score for the Chow Chow is 71.7 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 71.7 percent, the Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 99 Chow Chows and 7 Dandie Dinmont Terriers.
The Intelligence of the Chow Chow versus the Intelligence of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
| Chow Chow | Dandie Dinmont Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 76 out of 130 dog breeds | 62 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More! | 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 Chow Chow has an obedience intelligence rank of 76 out of 130 dog breeds. The Chow Chow belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Chow Chows tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.
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 Dandie Dinmont Terrier is more intelligent than the Chow Chow.
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 Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Chow Chow is more popular with dog owners than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Chow Chow is 74 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 Chow Chow
Popularity of Dandie Dinmont Terrier
| Year | Chow Chow Popularity Rank | Dandie Dinmont Terrier Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 70 | 168 |
| 2014 | 70 | 167 |
| 2015 | 73 | 172 |
| 2016 | 74 | 167 |
| 2017 | 76 | 182 |
| 2018 | 75 | 176 |
| 2019 | 77 | 174 |
| 2020 | 84 | 181 |
Health Problems of Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow is prone to more genetic health problems than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Chow Chow than for the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
6 health tests are recommended for Chow Chow while 2 tests are recommended for the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Chow Chows and in Dandie Dinmont Terriers.
Chow Chow Health Problems
Chow Chows are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Chow Chow 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 Chow Chows for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Chow Chows 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.
How Kid-friendly are Chow Chows and Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
Chow Chows 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 Chow Chow or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
Chow Chows do not get along well with other dogs.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.
Do Chow Chows shed more than Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
Chow Chows do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Chow Chow or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
Chow Chows 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.
Do Chow Chows Bark and Howl? What about Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
Chow Chows 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.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Chow Chow or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
Chow Chows are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers are very good for new dog owners.
Can Chow Chows Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Chow Chows 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.
Are Chow Chows good family dogs? What about Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
Chow Chows are not affectionate with family. They are not good family dogs.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Chow Chow Easier to Train than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
Chow Chows are not easy to train.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers are not easy to train.
Does the Chow Chow Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
Chow Chows 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.
Wanderlust Potential: Chow Chow vs. Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Chow Chows 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.
Is the Chow Chow Better for Apartment Owners than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
Chow Chows adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
Which one drools more, the Chow Chow or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Chow Chows drool moderately.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Tolerates Being Alone: Chow Chow versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Chow Chows can be left alone for some time without problems.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Can Chow Chows Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Chow Chows can very well tolerate cold weather.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Chow Chow
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow:
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 Chow Chow and how the Dandie Dinmont Terrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Chow Chow and of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier to other breeds:
Chow Chow Versus Other Dog Breeds
Chow Chow versus Black Russian Terrier Chow Chow versus Catahoula Bulldog Chow Chow versus Lancashire Heeler Chow Chow versus Australian Kelpie Chow Chow versus French Spaniel Chow Chow versus Chihuahua Chow Chow versus Great Dane Chow Chow versus Chi-Poo Chow Chow versus Affenhuahua Chow Chow versus Bordoodle
Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Japanese Spitz Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Peek A Poo Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Norfolk Terrier Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Norwegian Buhund Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Pharaoh Hound Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Redbone Coonhound Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus American Pit Bull Terrier Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Redbone Coonhound Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Puli Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Barbet
Conclusion: Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier better suits you and your family.