Breed Comparison: Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Icelandic Sheepdog

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Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Introduction

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

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

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 Icelandic Sheepdog

Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Overview

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

The table below compares the Dandie Dinmont Terrier to the Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 14 to 15 years
Weight 18 to 24 pounds 20 to 30 pounds
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 1/5
Easy To Train 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 5/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 2/5
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 5/5
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 1/5
General Health 3/5 3/5
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 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 1/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 1/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Height 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder 16 to 18 inchestall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 14.5 years
Price Range No Data No Data
Average Price No Data No Data
Temperament Score 71.4 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
    		•
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
  • Patellar Luxation
    		•
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 173 145

    *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 Icelandic Sheepdog. 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 Icelandic Sheepdog is 68 out of 125.

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

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

  • Dandie Dinmont Terriers adapt well to apartment living. However, Icelandic Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Dandie Dinmont Terriers are good for new dog owners. However, Icelandic Sheepdogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    • The Similarities Between the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Icelandic Sheepdog

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

  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Icelandic Sheepdog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Icelandic Sheepdog do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Icelandic Sheepdog require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Icelandic Sheepdog are not easy to train.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Icelandic Sheepdog are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Icelandic Sheepdog get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Icelandic Sheepdog gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Icelandic Sheepdog have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Icelandic Sheepdog are very playful.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Icelandic Sheepdog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

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

    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, Icelandic Sheepdogs weigh 20 to 30 pounds when fully grown. Icelandic Sheepdogs are 16 to 18 inchestall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Temperament of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus the Icelandic Sheepdog

    The Icelandic Sheepdog has a better temperament than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Icelandic Sheepdog is 100.0 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 100.0 percent, the Icelandic Sheepdog has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Icelandic Sheepdog by measuring the temperaments of 7 Dandie Dinmont Terriers and 10 Icelandic Sheepdogs.

    The Popularity of Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Popularity of Icelandic Sheepdog

    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 Icelandic Sheepdog over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Icelandic Sheepdog is more popular with dog owners than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Icelandic Sheepdog is 145 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 Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    Popularity of Icelandic Sheepdog

    Popularity of Icelandic Sheepdog

    Year Dandie Dinmont Terrier Popularity Rank Icelandic Sheepdog Popularity Rank
    2013 168 142
    2014 167 146
    2015 172 140
    2016 167 153
    2017 182 144
    2018 176 155
    2019 174 132
    2020 181 154

    Health Problems of Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Health Problems of Icelandic Sheepdog

    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 Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Icelandic Sheepdog than for the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.

    2 health tests are recommended for Dandie Dinmont Terrier while 8 tests are recommended for the Icelandic Sheepdog.

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

    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.

    Icelandic Sheepdog Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
  • Patellar Luxation

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

    Which one drools more, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Icelandic Sheepdog

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

    Icelandic Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Icelandic Sheepdog

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs do not like to be left alone.

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

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

    Icelandic Sheepdogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Is the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Easier to Train than the Icelandic Sheepdog?

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers are not easy to train.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs are fairly easy to train.

    Do Dandie Dinmont Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Icelandic Sheepdogs?

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

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

    Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Icelandic Sheepdogs 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 Icelandic Sheepdog?

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Do Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed more than Icelandic Sheepdogs?

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed moderately.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Wanderlust Potential: Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs. Icelandic Sheepdog

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

    Icelandic Sheepdogs 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 Icelandic Sheepdog?

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    How Kid-friendly are Dandie Dinmont Terriers and Icelandic Sheepdogs?

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

    Icelandic Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    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.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs 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 Icelandic Sheepdogs?

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

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

    • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Icelandic Sheepdog

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

  • Kai Ken (78 percent match with Icelandic Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs Kai Ken.
  • Scottish Deerhound (75 percent match with Icelandic Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs Scottish Deerhound.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Miniature Schnauzer     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Mastiff     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Australian Kelpie     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Tibetan Terrier     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Westiepoo     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Scottish Deerhound     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Rottweiler     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Pomapoo     

    Icelandic Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Icelandic Sheepdog versus Siberian Husky     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Whippet     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Shihpoo     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Bich Poo     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Belgian Tervuren     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Bernedoodle     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Pomsky     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Brittany     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Rottweiler     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Patterdale Terrier     

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