Breed Comparison: Cocker Spaniel Versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier

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Cocker Spaniel Versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Cocker 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 Cocker 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 Cocker 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 Cocker Spaniel or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier

Cocker Spaniel versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Cocker Spaniel and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Cocker Spaniel is a small-sized dog while the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a tiny-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Cocker Spaniel belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

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.

Cocker Spaniel versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Cocker 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 Cocker Spaniel Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 2/5
Height 1 foot, 2 inches to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the s 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 3/5
Weight 24 to 28 pounds 18 to 24 pounds
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 4/5
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Easy To Train 5/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 2/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.5 years
Average Price $1760 No Data
Price Range $1200 – $2000 No Data
Temperament Score 82.0 percent 71.4 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
    		•
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 29 173
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 20 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 Cocker 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 Cocker Spaniel is 77 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 Cocker Spaniel. 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 Cocker Spaniel 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 Cocker Spaniel and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    Below is a list of where the Cocker Spaniel and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are most different:

  • Cocker Spaniels are very easy to train. However, Dandie Dinmont Terriers are not easy to train.

    • The Similarities Between the Cocker Spaniel and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier

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

  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are very playful.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Cocker Spaniel versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Cocker Spaniel and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.

    Cocker Spaniels weigh 24 to 28 pounds when fully grown. Cocker Spaniels are 1 foot, 2 inches to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the s 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 Cocker Spaniel Versus the Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    The Cocker Spaniel has a better temperament than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Cocker Spaniel is 82.0 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 82.0 percent, the Cocker Spaniel 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 Cocker Spaniel and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 233 Cocker Spaniels and 7 Dandie Dinmont Terriers.

    The Intelligence of the Cocker Spaniel versus the Intelligence of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    Cocker Spaniel Dandie Dinmont Terrier
    Intelligence Rank 20 out of 130 dog breeds 62 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 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:

  • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
  • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
  • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.

    • 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 Cocker Spaniel has an obedience intelligence rank of 20 out of 130 dog breeds. The Cocker Spaniel belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Cocker Spaniels tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 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 Cocker 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 Cocker 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 Cocker Spaniel and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Cocker Spaniel is more popular with dog owners than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Cocker Spaniel is 29 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 Cocker Spaniel

    Popularity of Cocker Spaniel

    Popularity of Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    Popularity of Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    Year Cocker Spaniel Popularity Rank Dandie Dinmont Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 29 168
    2014 30 167
    2015 30 172
    2016 29 167
    2017 29 182
    2018 30 176
    2019 28 174
    2020 30 181

    Health Problems of Cocker 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 Cocker 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 Dandie Dinmont Terrier is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Cocker Spaniel.

    2 health tests are recommended for Cocker Spaniel while 2 tests are recommended for the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Cocker Spaniels and in Dandie Dinmont Terriers.

    Cocker Spaniel Health Problems

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

  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Cocker 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:

  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Dandie Dinmont Terriers here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Cocker Spaniel versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    Cocker Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Which one drools more, the Cocker Spaniel or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    Cocker Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Cocker Spaniel or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?

    Cocker Spaniels 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.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Cocker Spaniel or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?

    Cocker Spaniels are OK for new dog owners.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Can Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Cocker Spaniels 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 Cocker Spaniels and Dandie Dinmont Terriers?

    Cocker Spaniels get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

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

    Do Cocker Spaniels shed more than Dandie Dinmont Terriers?

    Cocker Spaniels shed moderately.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed moderately.

    Do Cocker Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Dandie Dinmont Terriers?

    Cocker Spaniels bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Cocker Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Cocker Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Cocker Spaniel or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?

    Cocker Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Wanderlust Potential: Cocker Spaniel vs. Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    Cocker Spaniels have a high tendency to wander. They are easily 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.

    Is the Cocker Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?

    Cocker Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Are Cocker Spaniels good family dogs? What about Dandie Dinmont Terriers?

    Cocker Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    Is the Cocker Spaniel Easier to Train than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?

    Cocker Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers are not easy to train.

    Does the Cocker Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?

    Cocker Spaniels 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 Cocker Spaniel

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Cocker 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 Cocker Spaniel:

  • Bichon Frise (77 percent match with Cocker Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs Bichon Frise.
  • English Cocker Spaniel (76 percent match with Cocker Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs English Cocker 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:

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

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Cocker Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Cocker Spaniel versus American Hairless Terrier     Cocker Spaniel versus Sheepadoodle     Cocker Spaniel versus Komondor     Cocker Spaniel versus Saint Berdoodle     Cocker Spaniel versus American Bulldog     Cocker Spaniel versus Fila Brasileiro     Cocker Spaniel versus Berger Picard     Cocker Spaniel versus Chinook     Cocker Spaniel versus Tibetan Terrier     Cocker Spaniel versus Dachshund     

    Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Field Spaniel     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Maltipoo     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Spinone Italiano     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Italian Greyhound     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Puggle     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Scottish Terrier     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Airedale Terrier     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Peek A Poo     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Welsh Terrier     

    Conclusion: Cocker 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 Cocker Spaniel and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier better suits you and your family.