Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Finnish Spitz: Introduction
- Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Finnish Spitz: Overview
- Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Finnish Spitz: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Finnish Spitz
- The Similarities Between the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Finnish Spitz
- Size (Weight and Height) of Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Finnish Spitz
- Temperament of the Finnish Spitz Versus the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- The Intelligence of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Finnish Spitz
- The Popularity of Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Popularity of Finnish Spitz
- Which one drools more, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Finnish Spitz
- Tolerates Being Alone: Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Finnish Spitz
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Finnish Spitz?
- Is the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Easier to Train than the Finnish Spitz?
- Do Dandie Dinmont Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Finnish Spitzs?
- Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Finnish Spitz?
- Do Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed more than Finnish Spitzs?
- Wanderlust Potential: Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs. Finnish Spitz
- How Kid-friendly are Dandie Dinmont Terriers and Finnish Spitzs?
- Does the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Finnish Spitz?
- Are Dandie Dinmont Terriers good family dogs? What about Finnish Spitzs?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Finnish Spitz
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Finnish Spitz. Which One is a Better Pet?
Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Finnish Spitz: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Finnish Spitz? 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 Finnish Spitz 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 Finnish Spitz.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Finnish Spitz 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 Finnish Spitz. 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 Finnish Spitz.
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 Finnish Spitz
Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Finnish Spitz: Overview
A very important difference between the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Finnish Spitz is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a tiny-sized dog while the Finnish Spitz 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 Finnish Spitz 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.
Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Finnish Spitz: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Dandie Dinmont Terrier to the Finnish Spitz 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 | Finnish Spitz |
---|---|---|
Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 12 to 15 years |
Weight | 18 to 24 pounds | 20 to 35 pounds |
Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 1/5 |
Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 2/5 |
Easy To Train | 2/5 | 3/5 |
Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 1/5 |
Minimal Exercise Needs | 4/5 | 1/5 |
Easygoing | 3/5 | 3/5 |
Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 5/5 |
Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
Dog Friendly | 3/5 | 5/5 |
Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 3/5 |
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 | 3/5 |
Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 2/5 |
NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 1/5 |
Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 2/5 |
Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 3/5 |
Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 3/5 |
Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 3/5 |
Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Height | 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder | 15 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder |
Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 13.5 years |
Price Range | No Data | $600 – $1100 |
Average Price | No Data | $900 |
Temperament Score | 71.4 percent | 72.7 percent |
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 173 | 179 |
Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 62 | 43 |
*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 Finnish Spitz. 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 Finnish Spitz is 77 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a better pet than the Finnish Spitz. 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 Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Finnish Spitz 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 Finnish Spitz
Below is a list of where the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Finnish Spitz are most different:
The Similarities Between the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Finnish Spitz
The Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Finnish Spitz are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Finnish Spitz are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Finnish Spitz
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Finnish Spitz.
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, Finnish Spitzs weigh 20 to 35 pounds when fully grown. Finnish Spitzs are 15 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Temperament of the Finnish Spitz Versus the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
The Finnish Spitz has a better temperament than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
This is because the temperament score for the Finnish Spitz is 72.7 percent while the temperament score for the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is 71.4 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and they are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 71.4 percent, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 72.7 percent, the Finnish Spitz has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Finnish Spitz by measuring the temperaments of 7 Dandie Dinmont Terriers and 11 Finnish Spitzs.
The Intelligence of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Finnish Spitz
Dandie Dinmont Terrier | Finnish Spitz | |
---|---|---|
Intelligence Rank | 62 out of 130 dog breeds | 43 out of 130 dog breeds |
Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 Repetitions! | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.
This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.
To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.
Prof. Coren found that the 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 Finnish Spitz has an obedience intelligence rank of 43 out of 130 dog breeds. The Finnish Spitz belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Finnish Spitzs tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.
The Finnish Spitz 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 Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Popularity of Finnish Spitz
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 Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Finnish Spitz over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Finnish Spitz. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is 173 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Finnish Spitz is 179 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Popularity of Finnish Spitz
Year | Dandie Dinmont Terrier Popularity Rank | Finnish Spitz Popularity Rank |
---|---|---|
2013 | 168 | 170 |
2014 | 167 | 174 |
2015 | 172 | 178 |
2016 | 167 | 179 |
2017 | 182 | 177 |
2018 | 176 | 184 |
2019 | 174 | 183 |
2020 | 181 | 187 |
Which one drools more, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Finnish Spitz
Dandie Dinmont Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Finnish Spitzs do have a very low tendency to drool.
Tolerates Being Alone: Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Finnish Spitz
Dandie Dinmont Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Finnish Spitzs do not like to be left alone.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Finnish Spitz?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Finnish Spitzs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Is the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Easier to Train than the Finnish Spitz?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers are not easy to train.
Finnish Spitzs are fairly easy to train.
Do Dandie Dinmont Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Finnish Spitzs?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Finnish Spitzs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Finnish Spitzs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Finnish Spitzs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Finnish Spitz?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.
Finnish Spitzs get along very well with other dogs.
Do Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed more than Finnish Spitzs?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed moderately.
Finnish Spitzs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Wanderlust Potential: Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs. Finnish Spitz
Dandie Dinmont Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Finnish Spitzs have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Is the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Finnish Spitz?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
Finnish Spitzs adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Finnish Spitz?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers are very good for new dog owners.
Finnish Spitzs are OK for new dog owners.
How Kid-friendly are Dandie Dinmont Terriers and Finnish Spitzs?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Finnish Spitzs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Finnish Spitz?
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.
Finnish Spitzs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Are Dandie Dinmont Terriers good family dogs? What about Finnish Spitzs?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Finnish Spitzs 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:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Finnish Spitz
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Finnish Spitz 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 Finnish Spitz:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and how the Finnish Spitz compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and of the Finnish Spitz to other breeds:
Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Shetland Sheepdog Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Curly-Coated Retriever Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Frenchton Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Harrier Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Papipoo Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Bordoodle Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Pomeranian Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Boxerdoodle Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Goldendoodle
Finnish Spitz Versus Other Dog Breeds
Finnish Spitz versus Puggle Finnish Spitz versus Labradoodle Finnish Spitz versus Yorkipoo Finnish Spitz versus Welsh Terrier Finnish Spitz versus Shihpoo Finnish Spitz versus Maremma Sheepdog Finnish Spitz versus Lakeland Terrier Finnish Spitz versus Akbash Finnish Spitz versus Azawakh Finnish Spitz versus Saint Berdoodle
Conclusion: Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Finnish Spitz. 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 Finnish Spitz better suits you and your family.