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

by

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Hovawart: Introduction

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

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

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 Hovawart

Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Hovawart: Overview

A very important difference between the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Hovawart is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a tiny-sized dog while the Hovawart is a large-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 Hovawart 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 Hovawart: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Dandie Dinmont Terrier to the Hovawart 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 Hovawart
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 14 years
Weight 18 to 24 pounds 55 to 110 pounds
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 4/5
Easy To Train 2/5 2/5
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 3/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
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 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Height 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder 23 to 29 inches
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 12.0 years
Price Range No Data No Data
Average Price No Data No Data
Temperament Score 71.4 percent 91.7 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 Hovawart. 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 Hovawart is 78 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a better pet than the Hovawart. 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 Hovawart 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 Hovawart

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

  • Dandie Dinmont Terriers adapt well to apartment living. However, Hovawarts do not adapt well to apartment living.

    • The Similarities Between the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Hovawart

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

  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Hovawart do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Hovawart do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Hovawart are not easy to train.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Hovawart are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Hovawart get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Hovawart gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Hovawart are very playful.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Hovawart are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

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

    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, Hovawarts weigh 55 to 110 pounds when fully grown. Hovawarts are 23 to 29 inches when fully grown.

    Temperament of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus the Hovawart

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

    This is because the temperament score for the Hovawart is 91.7 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 91.7 percent, the Hovawart has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Hovawart by measuring the temperaments of 7 Dandie Dinmont Terriers and 24 Hovawarts.

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

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

    Hovawarts do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Hovawart

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Hovawarts do not like to be left alone.

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

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

    Hovawarts are very easy to groom.

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

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers are not easy to train.

    Hovawarts are not easy to train.

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

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

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

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

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Hovawarts can very well tolerate cold weather.

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

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

    Hovawarts 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 Hovawart?

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Hovawarts do not get along well with other dogs.

    Do Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed more than Hovawarts?

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed moderately.

    Hovawarts shed moderately.

    Wanderlust Potential: Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs. Hovawart

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

    Hovawarts 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 Hovawart?

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Hovawarts do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Hovawarts are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    How Kid-friendly are Dandie Dinmont Terriers and Hovawarts?

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

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

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

    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.

    Hovawarts 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.

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

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

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

    • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Hovawart

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

  • Catahoula Leopard Dog (78 percent match with Hovawart). Here is our comparison of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs Catahoula Leopard Dog.
  • Spanish Mastiff (81 percent match with Hovawart). Here is our comparison of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs Spanish Mastiff.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Black Mouth Cur     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Komondor     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Komondor     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Greyhound     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Lowchen     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus American Bulldog     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Pointer     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Pharaoh Hound     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Giant Schnauzer     

    Hovawart Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Hovawart versus Japanese Spitz     Hovawart versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Hovawart versus Finnish Lapphund     Hovawart versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Hovawart versus Chinese Crested     Hovawart versus Akbash     Hovawart versus Chinese Crested     Hovawart versus Labradoodle     Hovawart versus Doberman Pinscher     Hovawart versus Yorkshire Terrier     

    Conclusion: Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Hovawart. 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 Hovawart better suits you and your family.