Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Portuguese Water Dog: Introduction
- Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Portuguese Water Dog: Overview
- Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Portuguese Water Dog: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Portuguese Water Dog
- The Similarities Between the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Portuguese Water Dog
- Size (Weight and Height) of Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Portuguese Water Dog
- Temperament of the Portuguese Water Dog Versus the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- The Popularity of Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Popularity of Portuguese Water Dog
- Health Problems of Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Health Problems of Portuguese Water Dog
- Which one drools more, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Portuguese Water Dog
- Tolerates Being Alone: Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Portuguese Water Dog
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Is the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Easier to Train than the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Do Dandie Dinmont Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
- Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Do Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed more than Portuguese Water Dogs?
- Wanderlust Potential: Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs. Portuguese Water Dog
- How Kid-friendly are Dandie Dinmont Terriers and Portuguese Water Dogs?
- Does the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Are Dandie Dinmont Terriers good family dogs? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Portuguese Water Dog
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Portuguese Water Dog. Which One is a Better Pet?
Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Portuguese Water Dog: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Portuguese Water Dog? 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 Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog. 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 Portuguese Water Dog.
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 Portuguese Water Dog
Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Portuguese Water Dog: Overview
A very important difference between the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Portuguese Water Dog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a tiny-sized dog while the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Dandie Dinmont Terrier to the Portuguese Water Dog 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 | Portuguese Water Dog |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 10 to 14 years |
| Weight | 18 to 24 pounds | 35 to 60 pounds |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| 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 | 3/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder | 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 12.0 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $2500 – $3300 |
| Average Price | No Data | $2860 |
| Temperament Score | 71.4 percent | 77.9 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 173 | 50 |
*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 Portuguese Water Dog. 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 Portuguese Water Dog is 84 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Portuguese Water Dog is a better pet than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. So, you should get the Portuguese Water Dog!
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 Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog
Below is a list of where the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Portuguese Water Dog are most different:
The Similarities Between the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Portuguese Water Dog
The Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Portuguese Water Dog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Portuguese Water Dog are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Portuguese Water Dog
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Portuguese Water Dog.
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, Portuguese Water Dogs weigh 35 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Portuguese Water Dogs are 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the when fully grown.
Temperament of the Portuguese Water Dog Versus the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
The Portuguese Water Dog has a better temperament than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
This is because the temperament score for the Portuguese Water Dog is 77.9 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 77.9 percent, the Portuguese Water Dog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Portuguese Water Dog by measuring the temperaments of 7 Dandie Dinmont Terriers and 163 Portuguese Water Dogs.
The Popularity of Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Popularity of Portuguese Water Dog
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 Portuguese Water Dog over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Portuguese Water Dog is more popular with dog owners than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Portuguese Water Dog is 50 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 Portuguese Water Dog
| Year | Dandie Dinmont Terrier Popularity Rank | Portuguese Water Dog Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 168 | 49 |
| 2014 | 167 | 52 |
| 2015 | 172 | 52 |
| 2016 | 167 | 51 |
| 2017 | 182 | 54 |
| 2018 | 176 | 50 |
| 2019 | 174 | 49 |
| 2020 | 181 | 49 |
Health Problems of Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Health Problems of Portuguese Water Dog
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 Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Portuguese Water Dog than for the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
2 health tests are recommended for Dandie Dinmont Terrier while 11 tests are recommended for the Portuguese Water Dog.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Dandie Dinmont Terriers and in Portuguese Water Dogs.
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.
Portuguese Water Dog Health Problems
Portuguese Water Dogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dogs for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Portuguese Water Dogs here.
Which one drools more, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Portuguese Water Dog
Dandie Dinmont Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Portuguese Water Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.
Tolerates Being Alone: Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Portuguese Water Dog
Dandie Dinmont Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Portuguese Water Dogs do not like to be left alone.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Portuguese Water Dog?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Portuguese Water Dogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Is the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Easier to Train than the Portuguese Water Dog?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers are not easy to train.
Portuguese Water Dogs are very easy to train.
Do Dandie Dinmont Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Portuguese Water Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.
Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Portuguese Water Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Portuguese Water Dogs 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 Portuguese Water Dog?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.
Portuguese Water Dogs get along very well with other dogs.
Do Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed more than Portuguese Water Dogs?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed moderately.
Portuguese Water Dogs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Wanderlust Potential: Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs. Portuguese Water Dog
Dandie Dinmont Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Portuguese Water Dogs 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 Portuguese Water Dog?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
Portuguese Water Dogs adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Portuguese Water Dog?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers are very good for new dog owners.
Portuguese Water Dogs are OK for new dog owners.
How Kid-friendly are Dandie Dinmont Terriers and Portuguese Water Dogs?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Portuguese Water Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Water Dog?
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.
Portuguese Water Dogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Are Dandie Dinmont Terriers good family dogs? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Portuguese Water Dogs 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 Portuguese Water Dog
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and how the Portuguese Water Dog compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and of the Portuguese Water Dog to other breeds:
Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Shiba Inu Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Borzoi Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Finnish Lapphund Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Lowchen Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Redbone Coonhound Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Pug Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus American Pit Bull Terrier Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Braque du Bourbonnais Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Pyrenean Mastiff Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Bordoodle
Portuguese Water Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds
Portuguese Water Dog versus Schipperke Portuguese Water Dog versus Pomeranian Portuguese Water Dog versus Shiranian Portuguese Water Dog versus Siberian Husky Portuguese Water Dog versus Finnish Lapphund Portuguese Water Dog versus Havanese Portuguese Water Dog versus Shiloh Shepherd Portuguese Water Dog versus Shiba Inu Portuguese Water Dog versus Saint Berdoodle Portuguese Water Dog versus Silky Terrier
Conclusion: Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Portuguese Water Dog. 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 Portuguese Water Dog better suits you and your family.