A Detailed Comparison of the Dachshund and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.

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Dachshund Versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Introduction

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

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

Dachshund versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Overview

Both the Dachshund and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are similar in size. The Dachshund and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are both tiny-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Dachshund belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

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.

Dachshund versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Dachshund 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 Dachshund Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Tolerates Cold Weather 1/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Weight 16 to 32 pounds 18 to 24 pounds
General Health 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 4/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 1/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 1/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 3/5
Height 8 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.5 years
Average Price $1730 No Data
Price Range $1000 – $2000 No Data
Temperament Score 69.4 percent 71.4 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy
    		•
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
    		•
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 11 173
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 49 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 Dachshund 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 Dachshund 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 Dachshund. 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 Dachshund 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 Dachshund and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier

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

  • Dachshunds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Dandie Dinmont Terriers are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.

    • The Similarities Between the Dachshund and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier

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

  • Both the Dachshund and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Dachshund and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
  • Both the Dachshund and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are not easy to train.
  • Both the Dachshund and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Dachshund and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Dachshund and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Dachshund and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Dachshund and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Dachshund and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are very playful.
  • Both the Dachshund and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Dachshund and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Dachshund and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Dachshund and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.

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

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

    Dachshunds weigh 16 to 32 pounds when fully grown. Dachshunds are 8 inches to 9 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 Dachshund Versus the Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    The Dandie Dinmont Terrier has a better temperament than the Dachshund.

    This is because the temperament score for the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is 71.4 percent while the temperament score for the Dachshund is 69.4 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 69.4 percent, the Dachshund 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 Dachshund and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 49 Dachshunds and 7 Dandie Dinmont Terriers.

    The Intelligence of the Dachshund versus the Intelligence of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    Dachshund Dandie Dinmont Terrier
    Intelligence Rank 49 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:

  • 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 Dachshund has an obedience intelligence rank of 49 out of 130 dog breeds. The Dachshund belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Dachshunds 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 Dachshund 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 Dachshund 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 Dachshund and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Dachshund is more popular with dog owners than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Dachshund is 11 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 Dachshund

    Popularity of Dachshund

    Popularity of Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    Popularity of Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    Year Dachshund Popularity Rank Dandie Dinmont Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 10 168
    2014 11 167
    2015 13 172
    2016 13 167
    2017 13 182
    2018 12 176
    2019 11 174
    2020 10 181

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

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

    5 health tests are recommended for Dachshund while 2 tests are recommended for the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.

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

    Dachshund Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Dachshunds 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.

    Can Dachshunds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Dachshunds cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Which one drools more, the Dachshund or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    Dachshunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Is the Dachshund Easier to Train than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?

    Dachshunds are not easy to train.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers are not easy to train.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Dachshund versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    Dachshunds can be left alone only for a short time.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Can Dachshunds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Dachshunds 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.

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

    Dachshunds get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Do Dachshunds shed more than Dandie Dinmont Terriers?

    Dachshunds shed moderately.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed moderately.

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

    Dachshunds are moderately 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 Dachshund or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?

    Dachshunds are very good for new dog owners.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Are Dachshunds good family dogs? What about Dandie Dinmont Terriers?

    Dachshunds 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 Dachshund Better for Apartment Owners than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?

    Dachshunds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    How Kid-friendly are Dachshunds and Dandie Dinmont Terriers?

    Dachshunds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

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

    Dachshunds 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.

    Do Dachshunds Bark and Howl? What about Dandie Dinmont Terriers?

    Dachshunds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Dachshund vs. Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    Dachshunds 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.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dachshund

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

  • Lhasa Apso (71 percent match with Dachshund). Here is our comparison of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs Lhasa Apso.
  • Manchester Terrier (75 percent match with Dachshund). Here is our comparison of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs Manchester Terrier.
  • Miniature Pinscher (72 percent match with Dachshund). Here is our comparison of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs Miniature Pinscher.

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

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Dachshund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Dachshund versus Saluki     Dachshund versus Papillon     Dachshund versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Dachshund versus Bich Poo     Dachshund versus Azawakh     Dachshund versus Patterdale Terrier     Dachshund versus Finnish Lapphund     Dachshund versus Black Russian Terrier     Dachshund versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Dachshund versus Japanese Chin     

    Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Toy Poodle     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Frenchton     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Leonberger     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Great Dane     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Cockalier     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Kai Ken     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Cesky Terrier     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Shiba Inu     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Field Spaniel     

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