Differences and Similarities between the Dalmatian and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.

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Dalmatian Versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Introduction

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

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

Dalmatian versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Dalmatian 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.

Dalmatian versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 13 to 16 years 12 to 15 years
Height 19 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 3/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 3/5
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
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Weight 48 to 55 pounds 18 to 24 pounds
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 14.5 years 13.5 years
Average Price $1410 No Data
Price Range $1000 – $1800 No Data
Temperament Score 83.3 percent 71.4 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
    		•
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 60 173
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 39 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 Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian is 80 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 not better or worse than the Dalmatian. So, you can get the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Dalmatian!

    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 Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier

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

  • Dalmatians are very easy to groom. However, Dandie Dinmont Terriers require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Dalmatians require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise. However, Dandie Dinmont Terriers have low exercise needs.

    • The Similarities Between the Dalmatian and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier

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

  • Both the Dalmatian and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are very playful.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

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

    Dalmatians weigh 48 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Dalmatians are 19 to 24 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 Dalmatian Versus the Dandie Dinmont Terrier

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

    This is because the temperament score for the Dalmatian is 83.3 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 83.3 percent, the Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 359 Dalmatians and 7 Dandie Dinmont Terriers.

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

    Dalmatian Dandie Dinmont Terrier
    Intelligence Rank 39 out of 130 dog breeds 62 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 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 Dalmatian has an obedience intelligence rank of 39 out of 130 dog breeds. The Dalmatian belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Dalmatians tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 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 Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Dalmatian is more popular with dog owners than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Dalmatian is 60 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 Dalmatian

    Popularity of Dalmatian

    Popularity of Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    Popularity of Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    Year Dalmatian Popularity Rank Dandie Dinmont Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 64 168
    2014 66 167
    2015 62 172
    2016 62 167
    2017 63 182
    2018 56 176
    2019 59 174
    2020 51 181

    Health Problems of Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian.

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

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

    Dalmatian Health Problems

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

  • Congenital Deafness
  • Hip Dysplasia

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

    Dandie Dinmont Terrier Health Problems

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Dandie Dinmont Terrier puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Dandie Dinmont Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Dandie Dinmont Terrier breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Dandie Dinmont Terriers for:

  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination

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

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

    Dalmatians do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Is the Dalmatian Better for Apartment Owners than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?

    Dalmatians do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Dalmatians 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.

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

    Dalmatians 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 Dalmatian or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?

    Dalmatians are OK for new dog owners.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Dalmatian versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    Dalmatians can be left alone only for a short time.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers do not like to be left alone.

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

    Dalmatians can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

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

    Dalmatians can tolerate hot weather.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    How Kid-friendly are Dalmatians and Dandie Dinmont Terriers?

    Dalmatians 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 Dalmatian or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?

    Dalmatians get along very well with other dogs.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.

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

    Dalmatians are very easy to train.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers are not easy to train.

    Wanderlust Potential: Dalmatian vs. Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    Dalmatians 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.

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

    Dalmatians are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    Do Dalmatians shed more than Dandie Dinmont Terriers?

    Dalmatians shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed moderately.

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

    Dalmatians are very easy to groom.

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

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dalmatian

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

  • Berger Picard (78 percent match with Dalmatian). Here is our comparison of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs Berger Picard.
  • Golden Cocker Retriever (80 percent match with Dalmatian). Here is our comparison of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs Golden Cocker Retriever.

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

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Dalmatian Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Dalmatian versus Silky Terrier     Dalmatian versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Dalmatian versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Dalmatian versus Yorkipoo     Dalmatian versus Chinook     Dalmatian versus Shiranian     Dalmatian versus Pomsky     Dalmatian versus Whippet     Dalmatian versus Fila Brasileiro     Dalmatian versus Saint Bernard     

    Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Korean Jindo Dog     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Schipperke     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Mal Shi     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Weimaraner     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Basenji     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Boxer     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Greyhound     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Mastiff     

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