Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
- Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Shih Tzu: Overview
- Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
- The Similarities Between the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Shih Tzu
- Size (Weight and Height) of Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Shih Tzu
- Temperament of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus the Shih Tzu
- The Intelligence of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Shih Tzu
- The Popularity of Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Popularity of Shih Tzu
- Which one drools more, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Shih Tzu
- Tolerates Being Alone: Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Shih Tzu
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Shih Tzu?
- Is the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
- Do Dandie Dinmont Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
- Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Shih Tzu?
- Do Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed more than Shih Tzus?
- Wanderlust Potential: Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs. Shih Tzu
- How Kid-friendly are Dandie Dinmont Terriers and Shih Tzus?
- Does the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
- Are Dandie Dinmont Terriers good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shih Tzu
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Shih Tzu. Which One is a Better Pet?
Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Shih Tzu? 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 Shih Tzu 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 Shih Tzu.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Shih Tzu 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 Shih Tzu. 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 Shih Tzu.
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 Shih Tzu
Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Shih Tzu: Overview
Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Shih Tzu are similar in size. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Shih Tzu are both tiny-sized dogs.
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 Shih Tzu belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.
Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Dandie Dinmont Terrier to the Shih Tzu 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 | Shih Tzu |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 10 to 16 years |
| Weight | 18 to 24 pounds | 9 to 16 pounds |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Train | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| 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 | 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 13.0 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $1200 – $2300 |
| Average Price | No Data | $1820 |
| Temperament Score | 71.4 percent | 77.6 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 173 | 18 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 62 | 70 |
*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 Shih Tzu. 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 Shih Tzu is 86 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Shih Tzu is a better pet than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. So, you should get the Shih Tzu!
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 Shih Tzu so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Similarities Between the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Shih Tzu
The Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Shih Tzu are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Shih Tzu are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Shih Tzu
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Shih Tzu.
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, Shih Tzus weigh 9 to 16 pounds when fully grown. Shih Tzus are 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Temperament of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus the Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu has a better temperament than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
This is because the temperament score for the Shih Tzu is 77.6 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 77.6 percent, the Shih Tzu has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Shih Tzu by measuring the temperaments of 7 Dandie Dinmont Terriers and 49 Shih Tzus.
The Intelligence of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Shih Tzu
| Dandie Dinmont Terrier | Shih Tzu | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 62 out of 130 dog breeds | 70 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 Repetitions! | Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More! |
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 Shih Tzu has an obedience intelligence rank of 70 out of 130 dog breeds. The Shih Tzu belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Shih Tzus tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.
The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is more intelligent than the Shih Tzu.
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 Shih Tzu
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 Shih Tzu over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Shih Tzu is more popular with dog owners than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Shih Tzu is 18 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 Shih Tzu
| Year | Dandie Dinmont Terrier Popularity Rank | Shih Tzu Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 168 | 15 |
| 2014 | 167 | 17 |
| 2015 | 172 | 19 |
| 2016 | 167 | 20 |
| 2017 | 182 | 20 |
| 2018 | 176 | 20 |
| 2019 | 174 | 20 |
| 2020 | 181 | 20 |
Which one drools more, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Shih Tzu
Dandie Dinmont Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Shih Tzus do have a very low tendency to drool.
Tolerates Being Alone: Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Shih Tzu
Dandie Dinmont Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Shih Tzus can be left alone only for a short time.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Shih Tzu?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Shih Tzus require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Is the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers are not easy to train.
Shih Tzus are fairly easy to train.
Do Dandie Dinmont Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Shih Tzus are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Shih Tzus can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Shih Tzus cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Shih Tzu?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.
Shih Tzus get along very well with other dogs.
Do Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed more than Shih Tzus?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed moderately.
Shih Tzus shed moderately.
Wanderlust Potential: Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs. Shih Tzu
Dandie Dinmont Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Shih Tzus 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 Shih Tzu?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
Shih Tzus adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Shih Tzu?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers are very good for new dog owners.
Shih Tzus are very good for new dog owners.
How Kid-friendly are Dandie Dinmont Terriers and Shih Tzus?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Shih Tzus get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
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.
Shih Tzus 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 Shih Tzus?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Shih Tzus 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 Shih Tzu
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Shih Tzu 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 Shih Tzu:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and how the Shih Tzu compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and of the Shih Tzu to other breeds:
Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Manchester Terrier Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus German Shepherd Dog Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Dalmatian Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Biewer Terrier Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Saint Bernard Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Tibetan Mastiff Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Italian Greyhound Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Neapolitan Mastiff
Shih Tzu Versus Other Dog Breeds
Shih Tzu versus Jack Russell Terrier Shih Tzu versus Pyrenean Shepherd Shih Tzu versus Aussiedoodle Shih Tzu versus Komondor Shih Tzu versus Black Mouth Cur Shih Tzu versus American Staffordshire Terrier Shih Tzu versus Schipperke Shih Tzu versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Shih Tzu versus Bloodhound Shih Tzu versus Stabyhoun
Conclusion: Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Shih Tzu. 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 Shih Tzu better suits you and your family.