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

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Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Japanese 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 Japanese 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 Japanese 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 Japanese Spitz.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Japanese 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 Japanese 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 Japanese 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 Japanese Spitz

Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Japanese Spitz: Overview

A very important difference between the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Japanese Spitz is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a tiny-sized dog while the Japanese Spitz is a small-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 Japanese Spitz belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Japanese Spitz: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Dandie Dinmont Terrier to the Japanese 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 Japanese Spitz
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 16 years
Weight 18 to 24 pounds 11 to 20 pounds
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 4/5
Easy To Train 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 3/5
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
General Health 3/5 3/5
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 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 4/5
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 10 to 16 inches
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.0 years
Price Range No Data $1500 – $2000
Average Price No Data $1600
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 Japanese 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 Japanese Spitz is 90 out of 125.

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

    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 Japanese Spitz so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Similarities Between the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Japanese Spitz

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

  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Japanese Spitz do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Japanese Spitz do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Japanese Spitz have low exercise needs.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Japanese Spitz adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Japanese Spitz are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Japanese Spitz get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Japanese Spitz are very playful.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Japanese Spitz are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Japanese 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, Japanese Spitzs weigh 11 to 20 pounds when fully grown. Japanese Spitzs are 10 to 16 inches when fully grown.

    Which one drools more, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Japanese Spitz

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

    Japanese Spitzs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Japanese Spitz

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Japanese Spitzs do not like to be left alone.

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

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

    Japanese Spitzs are very easy to groom.

    Is the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Easier to Train than the Japanese Spitz?

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers are not easy to train.

    Japanese Spitzs are very easy to train.

    Do Dandie Dinmont Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Japanese Spitzs?

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

    Japanese Spitzs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Japanese Spitzs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Japanese Spitzs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Japanese Spitzs Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Japanese 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 Japanese Spitz?

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Japanese Spitzs get along very well with other dogs.

    Do Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed more than Japanese Spitzs?

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed moderately.

    Japanese Spitzs shed moderately.

    Wanderlust Potential: Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs. Japanese Spitz

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

    Japanese Spitzs 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 Japanese Spitz?

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Japanese Spitzs adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Japanese Spitzs are very good for new dog owners.

    How Kid-friendly are Dandie Dinmont Terriers and Japanese Spitzs?

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

    Japanese Spitzs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Japanese 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.

    Japanese Spitzs 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 Japanese Spitzs?

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

    Japanese 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:

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

    • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Japanese Spitz

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

  • Bergamasco Sheepdog (79 percent match with Japanese Spitz). Here is our comparison of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs Bergamasco Sheepdog.
  • Bordoodle (81 percent match with Japanese Spitz). Here is our comparison of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs Bordoodle.
  • Dutch Shepherd (79 percent match with Japanese Spitz). Here is our comparison of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs Dutch Shepherd.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Irish Terrier     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Catahoula Bulldog     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Beagle     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Mal Shi     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Papillon     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Afador     

    Japanese Spitz Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Japanese Spitz versus Berger Picard     Japanese Spitz versus Peek A Poo     Japanese Spitz versus Bull Terrier     Japanese Spitz versus Toy Poodle     Japanese Spitz versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Japanese Spitz versus Kishu Ken     Japanese Spitz versus Toy Poodle     Japanese Spitz versus Mal Shi     Japanese Spitz versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Japanese Spitz versus Cavachon     

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