Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: Introduction
- Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: Overview
- Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
- The Similarities Between the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
- Size (Weight and Height) of Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
- Temperament of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Versus the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- The Popularity of Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Popularity of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
- Health Problems of Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Health Problems of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
- Which one drools more, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
- Tolerates Being Alone: Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?
- Is the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Easier to Train than the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?
- Do Dandie Dinmont Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?
- Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?
- Do Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed more than Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?
- Wanderlust Potential: Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
- How Kid-friendly are Dandie Dinmont Terriers and Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?
- Does the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?
- Are Dandie Dinmont Terriers good family dogs? What about Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. Which One is a Better Pet?
Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog? 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.
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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: Overview
A very important difference between the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a tiny-sized dog while the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a giant-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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.
Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Dandie Dinmont Terrier to the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog 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 | Greater Swiss Mountain Dog |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 7 to 9 years |
| Weight | 18 to 24 pounds | 85 to 140 pounds |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder | 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 8.0 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $1750 – $3000 |
| Average Price | No Data | $2390 |
| Temperament Score | 71.4 percent | 82.8 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 173 | 76 |
*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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is 76 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a better pet than the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Below is a list of where the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog are most different:
The Similarities Between the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
The Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.
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, Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs weigh 85 to 140 pounds when fully grown. Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Temperament of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Versus the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog has a better temperament than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
This is because the temperament score for the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is 82.8 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 82.8 percent, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog by measuring the temperaments of 7 Dandie Dinmont Terriers and 262 Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs.
The Popularity of Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Popularity of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is more popular with dog owners than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is 76 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 Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Popularity of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
| Year | Dandie Dinmont Terrier Popularity Rank | Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 168 | 74 |
| 2014 | 167 | 80 |
| 2015 | 172 | 78 |
| 2016 | 167 | 78 |
| 2017 | 182 | 75 |
| 2018 | 176 | 74 |
| 2019 | 174 | 73 |
| 2020 | 181 | 76 |
Health Problems of Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Health Problems of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
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 Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog than for the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
2 health tests are recommended for Dandie Dinmont Terrier while 4 tests are recommended for the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Dandie Dinmont Terriers and in Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs.
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:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Dandie Dinmont Terriers here.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Health Problems
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Greater Swiss Mountain Dog 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Greater Swiss Mountain Dog 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs here.
Which one drools more, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Dandie Dinmont Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.
Tolerates Being Alone: Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Dandie Dinmont Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs can be left alone only for a short time.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are very easy to groom.
Is the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Easier to Train than the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers are not easy to train.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are fairly easy to train.
Do Dandie Dinmont Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs get along very well with other dogs.
Do Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed more than Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed moderately.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs shed moderately.
Wanderlust Potential: Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Dandie Dinmont Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Is the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers are very good for new dog owners.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
How Kid-friendly are Dandie Dinmont Terriers and Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog?
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.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs 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.
Are Dandie Dinmont Terriers good family dogs? What about Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and how the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog to other breeds:
Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Dogo Argentino Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Sheepadoodle Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Belgian Tervuren Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Lagotto Romagnolo Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Kai Ken Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Mastiff Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Chinese Shar-Pei Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Biewer Terrier Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Carolina Dog
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Collie Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Boxer Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Sealyham Terrier Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Alaskan Malamute Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Dogo Argentino Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Black Russian Terrier Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Whoodle Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Bichon Frise
Conclusion: Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog better suits you and your family.