Is the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Better than the Dutch Shepherd as a Pet? Answer…

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Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Dutch Shepherd: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Dutch Shepherd 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 Dandie Dinmont Terrier and for the Dutch Shepherd. 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 Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Dutch Shepherd.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Dutch Shepherd

Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Dutch Shepherd: Overview

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

Furthermore, 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.

On the other hand, the Dutch Shepherd belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Dutch Shepherd: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Dandie Dinmont Terrier to the Dutch Shepherd 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 Dandie Dinmont Terrier Dutch Shepherd
Does NOT Drool 5/5 4/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Weight 18 to 24 pounds 50 to 70 pounds
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 2/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 2/5
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 2/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 3/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Height 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder 21 to 25 inches
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.5 years
Price Range No Data $900 – $2000
Average Price No Data $1590
Temperament Score 71.4 percent 96.2 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
    		•  No Data

    *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 Dandie Dinmont Terrier 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 Dutch Shepherd. 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 Dandie Dinmont Terrier is 80 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Dutch Shepherd is 85 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Dutch Shepherd is a better pet than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. So, you should get the Dutch Shepherd!

    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 Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Dutch Shepherd so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Dutch Shepherd

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

  • Dandie Dinmont Terriers are not easy to train. However, Dutch Shepherds are very easy to train.

    • The Similarities Between the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Dutch Shepherd

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

  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Dutch Shepherd do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Dutch Shepherd do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Dutch Shepherd require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Dutch Shepherd are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Dutch Shepherd adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Dutch Shepherd are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Dutch Shepherd get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Dutch Shepherd have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Dutch Shepherd are very playful.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Dutch Shepherd are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

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

    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.

    On the other hand, Dutch Shepherds weigh 50 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Dutch Shepherds are 21 to 25 inches when fully grown.

    Temperament of the Dutch Shepherd Versus the Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    The Dutch Shepherd has a better temperament than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Dutch Shepherd is 96.2 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 71.4 percent, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 96.2 percent, the Dutch Shepherd has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Dutch Shepherd by measuring the temperaments of 7 Dandie Dinmont Terriers and 26 Dutch Shepherds.

    Which one drools more, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Dutch Shepherd

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

    Dutch Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Dutch Shepherd

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Dutch Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

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

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

    Dutch Shepherds are moderately easy to groom.

    Is the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Easier to Train than the Dutch Shepherd?

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers are not easy to train.

    Dutch Shepherds are very easy to train.

    Do Dandie Dinmont Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Dutch Shepherds?

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

    Dutch Shepherds are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Dutch Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Dutch Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Dutch Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Dutch Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Dutch Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

    Do Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed more than Dutch Shepherds?

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed moderately.

    Dutch Shepherds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Wanderlust Potential: Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs. Dutch Shepherd

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Dutch Shepherds do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Is the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Dutch Shepherd?

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Dutch Shepherds adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Dutch Shepherd?

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Dutch Shepherds are OK for new dog owners.

    How Kid-friendly are Dandie Dinmont Terriers and Dutch Shepherds?

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

    Dutch Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    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.

    Dutch Shepherds have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Are Dandie Dinmont Terriers good family dogs? What about Dutch Shepherds?

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

    Dutch Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dutch Shepherd

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

  • French Spaniel (80 percent match with Dutch Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs French Spaniel.
  • Japanese Spitz (79 percent match with Dutch Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs Japanese Spitz.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Norwegian Buhund     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Toy Poodle     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Scottish Terrier     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Brittany     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Boykin Spaniel     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Fila Brasileiro     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Lhasapoo     

    Dutch Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Dutch Shepherd versus Greyhound     Dutch Shepherd versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Dutch Shepherd versus Toy Fox Terrier     Dutch Shepherd versus King Shepherd     Dutch Shepherd versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Dutch Shepherd versus Shihpoo     Dutch Shepherd versus Bloodhound     Dutch Shepherd versus Lhasa Apso     Dutch Shepherd versus Borzoi     Dutch Shepherd versus Chow Chow     

    Conclusion: Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Dutch Shepherd. 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 Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Dutch Shepherd better suits you and your family.