Breed Comparison: Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Leonberger

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Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Leonberger: Introduction

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

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

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 Leonberger

Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Leonberger: Overview

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

The table below compares the Dandie Dinmont Terrier to the Leonberger 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 Leonberger
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 12 years
Weight 18 to 24 pounds 120 to 170 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 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 2/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 1/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 1/5
General Health 3/5 1/5
Intelligence 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 2/5
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 1/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Height 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder 25 to 31 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 11.0 years
Price Range No Data $300 – $1150
Average Price No Data $870
Temperament Score 71.4 percent 96.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • CGC
  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Leonberger Polyneuropathy (LPN1)
  • Leonberger Polyneuropathy 2
  • Leukoencephalomyelopathy (LEMP)
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 173 97

    *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 Leonberger. 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 Leonberger is 63 out of 125.

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

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

  • Dandie Dinmont Terriers adapt well to apartment living. However, Leonbergers do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Dandie Dinmont Terriers are good for new dog owners. However, Leonbergers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • The Similarities Between the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Leonberger

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

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

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

    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, Leonbergers weigh 120 to 170 pounds when fully grown. Leonbergers are 25 to 31 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Temperament of the Leonberger Versus the Dandie Dinmont Terrier

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

    This is because the temperament score for the Leonberger is 96.0 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 96.0 percent, the Leonberger has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Leonberger by measuring the temperaments of 7 Dandie Dinmont Terriers and 25 Leonbergers.

    The Popularity of Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Popularity of Leonberger

    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 Leonberger over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Leonberger is more popular with dog owners than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Leonberger is 97 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 Leonberger

    Popularity of Leonberger

    Year Dandie Dinmont Terrier Popularity Rank Leonberger Popularity Rank
    2013 168 98
    2014 167 104
    2015 172 93
    2016 167 95
    2017 182 100
    2018 176 93
    2019 174 95
    2020 181 98

    Health Problems of Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Health Problems of Leonberger

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

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

    2 health tests are recommended for Dandie Dinmont Terrier while 10 tests are recommended for the Leonberger.

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

    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.

    Leonberger Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • CGC
  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Leonberger Polyneuropathy (LPN1)
  • Leonberger Polyneuropathy 2
  • Leukoencephalomyelopathy (LEMP)
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Leonbergers here.

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

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

    Leonbergers drool moderately.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Leonberger

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Leonbergers do not like to be left alone.

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

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

    Leonbergers are very easy to groom.

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

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers are not easy to train.

    Leonbergers are not easy to train.

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

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

    Leonbergers bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Leonbergers can very well tolerate cold weather.

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

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

    Leonbergers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Leonberger?

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Leonbergers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Do Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed more than Leonbergers?

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed moderately.

    Leonbergers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Wanderlust Potential: Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs. Leonberger

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

    Leonbergers 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 Leonberger?

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Leonbergers do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Leonbergers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    How Kid-friendly are Dandie Dinmont Terriers and Leonbergers?

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

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

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

    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.

    Leonbergers 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 Leonbergers?

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

    Leonbergers 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 Leonberger vs Cavapoo.
  • Shih Tzu (79 percent match with Dandie Dinmont Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Leonberger vs Shih Tzu.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Leonberger

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

  • Bernese Mountain Dog (75 percent match with Leonberger). Here is our comparison of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs Bernese Mountain Dog.
  • Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (75 percent match with Leonberger). Here is our comparison of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.
  • Mastiff (73 percent match with Leonberger). Here is our comparison of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs Mastiff.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Boxer     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Rottweiler     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Dutch Shepherd     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Bearded Collie     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Basset Hound     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Japanese Spitz     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Tibetan Mastiff     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Bich Poo     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Chow Chow     

    Leonberger Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Leonberger versus Pointer     Leonberger versus German Shepherd Dog     Leonberger versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Leonberger versus Akbash     Leonberger versus Cocker Spaniel     Leonberger versus Carolina Dog     Leonberger versus Miniature Schnauzer     Leonberger versus Clumber Spaniel     Leonberger versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Leonberger versus Bolognese     

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