Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Labrador Retriever: Introduction
- Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Labrador Retriever: Overview
- Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Labrador Retriever: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Labrador Retriever
- The Similarities Between the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Labrador Retriever
- Size (Weight and Height) of Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Labrador Retriever
- Temperament of the Labrador Retriever Versus the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- The Intelligence of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Labrador Retriever
- The Popularity of Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Popularity of Labrador Retriever
- Health Problems of Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Health Problems of Labrador Retriever
- Which one drools more, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Labrador Retriever
- Tolerates Being Alone: Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Labrador Retriever
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Labrador Retriever?
- Is the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Easier to Train than the Labrador Retriever?
- Do Dandie Dinmont Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Labrador Retrievers?
- Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Labrador Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Labrador Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Labrador Retriever?
- Do Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed more than Labrador Retrievers?
- Wanderlust Potential: Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs. Labrador Retriever
- How Kid-friendly are Dandie Dinmont Terriers and Labrador Retrievers?
- Does the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Labrador Retriever?
- Are Dandie Dinmont Terriers good family dogs? What about Labrador Retrievers?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Labrador Retriever
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Labrador Retriever. Which One is a Better Pet?
Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Labrador Retriever: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Labrador Retriever? 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 Labrador Retriever 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 Labrador Retriever.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Labrador Retriever 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 Labrador Retriever. 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 Labrador Retriever.
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 Labrador Retriever
Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Labrador Retriever: Overview
A very important difference between the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Labrador Retriever is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a tiny-sized dog while the Labrador Retriever 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 Labrador Retriever 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 Labrador Retriever: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Dandie Dinmont Terrier to the Labrador Retriever 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 | Labrador Retriever |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 10 to 12 years |
| Weight | 18 to 24 pounds | 55 to 80 pounds |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder | 21 to 24 inches at the shoulder |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 11.0 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $850 – $1500 |
| Average Price | No Data | $1290 |
| Temperament Score | 71.4 percent | 92.2 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 173 | 1 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 62 | 7 |
*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 Labrador Retriever. 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 Labrador Retriever is 74 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a better pet than the Labrador Retriever. 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 Labrador Retriever 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 Labrador Retriever
Below is a list of where the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Labrador Retriever are most different:
The Similarities Between the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Labrador Retriever
The Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Labrador Retriever are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Labrador Retriever are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Labrador Retriever
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Labrador Retriever.
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, Labrador Retrievers weigh 55 to 80 pounds when fully grown. Labrador Retrievers are 21 to 24 inches at the shoulder when fully grown.
Temperament of the Labrador Retriever Versus the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
The Labrador Retriever has a better temperament than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
This is because the temperament score for the Labrador Retriever is 92.2 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 92.2 percent, the Labrador Retriever has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Labrador Retriever by measuring the temperaments of 7 Dandie Dinmont Terriers and 842 Labrador Retrievers.
The Intelligence of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Labrador Retriever
| Dandie Dinmont Terrier | Labrador Retriever | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 62 out of 130 dog breeds | 7 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 Repetitions! | Tend To Learn New Commands After Fewer Than 5 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 Labrador Retriever has an obedience intelligence rank of 7 out of 130 dog breeds. The Labrador Retriever belongs to the `Brightest Dogs` category. This means that Labrador Retrievers tend to learn new commands after fewer than 5 repetitions.
The Labrador Retriever 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 Labrador Retriever
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 Labrador Retriever over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Labrador Retriever is more popular with dog owners than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Labrador Retriever is 1 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 Labrador Retriever
| Year | Dandie Dinmont Terrier Popularity Rank | Labrador Retriever Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 168 | 1 |
| 2014 | 167 | 1 |
| 2015 | 172 | 1 |
| 2016 | 167 | 1 |
| 2017 | 182 | 1 |
| 2018 | 176 | 1 |
| 2019 | 174 | 1 |
| 2020 | 181 | 1 |
Health Problems of Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Health Problems of Labrador Retriever
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 Labrador Retriever 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 Labrador Retriever is prone to more genetic health problems than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Labrador Retriever than for the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
2 health tests are recommended for Dandie Dinmont Terrier while 8 tests are recommended for the Labrador Retriever.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Dandie Dinmont Terriers and in Labrador Retrievers.
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.
Labrador Retriever Health Problems
Labrador Retrievers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Labrador Retriever 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 Labrador Retriever puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Labrador Retriever 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 Labrador Retrievers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Labrador Retrievers here.
Which one drools more, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Labrador Retriever
Dandie Dinmont Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Labrador Retrievers drool moderately.
Tolerates Being Alone: Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Labrador Retriever
Dandie Dinmont Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Labrador Retrievers do not like to be left alone.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Labrador Retriever?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Labrador Retrievers are very easy to groom.
Is the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Easier to Train than the Labrador Retriever?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers are not easy to train.
Labrador Retrievers are very easy to train.
Do Dandie Dinmont Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Labrador Retrievers?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Labrador Retrievers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Labrador Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Labrador Retrievers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Labrador Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Labrador Retrievers 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 Labrador Retriever?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.
Labrador Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.
Do Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed more than Labrador Retrievers?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed moderately.
Labrador Retrievers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Wanderlust Potential: Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs. Labrador Retriever
Dandie Dinmont Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Labrador Retrievers 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 Labrador Retriever?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
Labrador Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Labrador Retriever?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers are very good for new dog owners.
Labrador Retrievers are OK for new dog owners.
How Kid-friendly are Dandie Dinmont Terriers and Labrador Retrievers?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Labrador Retrievers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Labrador Retriever?
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.
Labrador Retrievers 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 Labrador Retrievers?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Labrador Retrievers 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 Labrador Retriever
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Labrador Retriever 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 Labrador Retriever:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and how the Labrador Retriever compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and of the Labrador Retriever to other breeds:
Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Whippet Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus American Eskimo Dog Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus English Toy Spaniel Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Westiepoo Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Alaskan Malamute Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Siberian Husky Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Chinese Shar-Pei Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Ibizan Hound Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Norwegian Buhund
Labrador Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds
Labrador Retriever versus Belgian Sheepdog Labrador Retriever versus Plott Labrador Retriever versus Schnoodle Labrador Retriever versus Clumber Spaniel Labrador Retriever versus English Springer Spaniel Labrador Retriever versus Kerry Blue Terrier Labrador Retriever versus Bluetick Coonhound Labrador Retriever versus Scottish Terrier Labrador Retriever versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle Labrador Retriever versus Ibizan Hound
Conclusion: Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Labrador Retriever. 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 Labrador Retriever better suits you and your family.