A Detailed Comparison of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Pyrenean Mastiff.

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Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Pyrenean Mastiff: Introduction

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

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

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 Pyrenean Mastiff

Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Pyrenean Mastiff: Overview

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

The table below compares the Dandie Dinmont Terrier to the Pyrenean Mastiff 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 Pyrenean Mastiff
Does NOT Drool 5/5 1/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 13 years
Weight 18 to 24 pounds 130 to 200 pounds
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 3/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
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 1/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Height 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder 24 to 31 inches
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 11.5 years
Price Range No Data No Data
Average Price No Data No Data
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 Pyrenean Mastiff. 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 Pyrenean Mastiff is 78 out of 125.

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

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

  • Dandie Dinmont Terriers do not have the tendency to drool. However, Pyrenean Mastiffs have a very high tendency to drool.
  • The Similarities Between the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Pyrenean Mastiff

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

  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Pyrenean Mastiff require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Pyrenean Mastiff are not easy to train.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Pyrenean Mastiff are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Pyrenean Mastiff have low exercise needs.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Pyrenean Mastiff get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Pyrenean Mastiff are very playful.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Pyrenean Mastiff are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Pyrenean Mastiff

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

    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, Pyrenean Mastiffs weigh 130 to 200 pounds when fully grown. Pyrenean Mastiffs are 24 to 31 inches when fully grown.

    Which one drools more, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Pyrenean Mastiff

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

    Pyrenean Mastiffs have a very high tendency to drool.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Pyrenean Mastiff

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Pyrenean Mastiffs can be left alone for some time without problems.

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

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

    Pyrenean Mastiffs are moderately easy to groom.

    Is the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Easier to Train than the Pyrenean Mastiff?

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers are not easy to train.

    Pyrenean Mastiffs are fairly easy to train.

    Do Dandie Dinmont Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Pyrenean Mastiffs?

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

    Pyrenean Mastiffs bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pyrenean Mastiffs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Pyrenean Mastiffs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pyrenean Mastiffs Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Pyrenean Mastiffs 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 Pyrenean Mastiff?

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Pyrenean Mastiffs get along very well with other dogs.

    Do Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed more than Pyrenean Mastiffs?

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed moderately.

    Pyrenean Mastiffs shed moderately.

    Wanderlust Potential: Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs. Pyrenean Mastiff

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

    Pyrenean Mastiffs 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 Pyrenean Mastiff?

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Pyrenean Mastiffs do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Pyrenean Mastiffs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    How Kid-friendly are Dandie Dinmont Terriers and Pyrenean Mastiffs?

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

    Pyrenean Mastiffs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    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.

    Pyrenean Mastiffs 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 Pyrenean Mastiffs?

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

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

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

  • Central Asian Shepherd Dog (74 percent match with Pyrenean Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs Central Asian Shepherd Dog.
  • Estrela Mountain Dog (75 percent match with Pyrenean Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs Estrela Mountain Dog.
  • Spanish Mastiff (72 percent match with Pyrenean Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs Spanish Mastiff.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Standard Poodle     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Sheepadoodle     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus German Shepherd Dog     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Peek A Poo     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Weimaraner     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Boxerdoodle     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Canaan Dog     

    Pyrenean Mastiff Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Pyrenean Mastiff versus Belgian Malinois     Pyrenean Mastiff versus Cavachon     Pyrenean Mastiff versus Irish Setter     Pyrenean Mastiff versus Boxer     Pyrenean Mastiff versus Saint Berdoodle     Pyrenean Mastiff versus Portuguese Pointer     Pyrenean Mastiff versus Schipperke     Pyrenean Mastiff versus West Highland White Terrier     Pyrenean Mastiff versus Redbone Coonhound     Pyrenean Mastiff versus Skye Terrier     

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