Is the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Better than the Pyrenean Shepherd as a Pet? Answer…

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Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Pyrenean Shepherd: 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 Shepherd? 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 Shepherd 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 Shepherd.

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

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 Shepherd

Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Pyrenean Shepherd: Overview

A very important difference between the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Pyrenean Shepherd is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a tiny-sized dog while the Pyrenean Shepherd 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 Pyrenean Shepherd belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Pyrenean Shepherd: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Dandie Dinmont Terrier to the Pyrenean Shepherd 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 Shepherd
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 15 to 17 years
Weight 18 to 24 pounds 25 to 30 pounds
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 1/5
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 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
General Health 3/5 2/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 1/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Height 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder 15 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 16.0 years
Price Range No Data No Data
Average Price No Data No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 173 178

    *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 Shepherd. 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 Shepherd is 72 out of 125.

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

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

  • Dandie Dinmont Terriers are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl. However, Pyrenean Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Dandie Dinmont Terriers have low exercise needs. However, Pyrenean Shepherds require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • The Similarities Between the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Pyrenean Shepherd

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

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

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

    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 Shepherds weigh 25 to 30 pounds when fully grown. Pyrenean Shepherds are 15 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    The Popularity of Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Popularity of Pyrenean Shepherd

    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 Pyrenean Shepherd over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Pyrenean Shepherd. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is 173 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Pyrenean Shepherd is 178 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    Popularity of Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    Popularity of Pyrenean Shepherd

    Popularity of Pyrenean Shepherd

    Year Dandie Dinmont Terrier Popularity Rank Pyrenean Shepherd Popularity Rank
    2013 168 169
    2014 167 178
    2015 172 176
    2016 167 176
    2017 182 180
    2018 176 181
    2019 174 182
    2020 181 182

    Health Problems of Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Health Problems of Pyrenean Shepherd

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

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

    2 health tests are recommended for Dandie Dinmont Terrier while 5 tests are recommended for the Pyrenean Shepherd.

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

    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.

    Pyrenean Shepherd Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Pyrenean Shepherds here.

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

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

    Pyrenean Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Pyrenean Shepherd

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Pyrenean Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

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

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

    Pyrenean Shepherds are moderately easy to groom.

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

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers are not easy to train.

    Pyrenean Shepherds are not easy to train.

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

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

    Pyrenean Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

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

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Pyrenean Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

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

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

    Pyrenean Shepherds 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 Shepherd?

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Pyrenean Shepherds do not get along well with other dogs.

    Do Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed more than Pyrenean Shepherds?

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed moderately.

    Pyrenean Shepherds shed moderately.

    Wanderlust Potential: Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs. Pyrenean Shepherd

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

    Pyrenean Shepherds 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 Shepherd?

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Pyrenean Shepherds adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

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

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

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

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

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

    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 Shepherds 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 Pyrenean Shepherds?

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

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

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

  • Cairn Terrier (73 percent match with Pyrenean Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs Cairn Terrier.
  • Lakeland Terrier (73 percent match with Pyrenean Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs Lakeland Terrier.
  • Pomsky (73 percent match with Pyrenean Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs Pomsky.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Mal Shi     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Stabyhoun     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Bedlington Terrier     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Cairn Terrier     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Airedale Terrier     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Puggle     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Chinook     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Tibetan Spaniel     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     

    Pyrenean Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Pyrenean Shepherd versus Norwich Terrier     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Maltipoo     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Standard Schnauzer     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Bull Terrier     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Portuguese Water Dog     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Miniature Pinscher     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Pyrenean Shepherd versus Boykin Spaniel     

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