Which is Better between the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff? A Very Detailed Review.

by

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Spanish 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 Spanish 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 Spanish 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 Spanish Mastiff.

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

Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Spanish Mastiff: Overview

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

The table below compares the Dandie Dinmont Terrier to the Spanish 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 Spanish Mastiff
Does NOT Drool 5/5 4/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 12 years
Weight 18 to 24 pounds 140 to 220 pounds
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 5/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 3/5
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
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 4/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 1/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 5/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Height 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder 26 to 35 inches
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 11.0 years
Price Range No Data $1000 – $1050
Average Price No Data $1050
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 Spanish 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 Spanish Mastiff is 83 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Spanish Mastiff is a better pet than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. So, you should get the Spanish Mastiff!

    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 Spanish 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 Spanish Mastiff

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

  • Dandie Dinmont Terriers are good for new dog owners. However, Spanish Mastiffs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Dandie Dinmont Terriers have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Spanish Mastiffs have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.

    • The Similarities Between the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff

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

  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff are not easy to train.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff have low exercise needs.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff are very playful.
  • Both the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Spanish Mastiff are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Spanish Mastiff

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Spanish 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, Spanish Mastiffs weigh 140 to 220 pounds when fully grown. Spanish Mastiffs are 26 to 35 inches when fully grown.

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

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

    Spanish Mastiffs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Spanish Mastiff

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Spanish Mastiffs can be left alone only for a short time.

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

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

    Spanish Mastiffs are moderately easy to groom.

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

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers are not easy to train.

    Spanish Mastiffs are not easy to train.

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

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

    Spanish Mastiffs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

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

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Spanish Mastiffs can very well tolerate cold weather.

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

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

    Spanish 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 Spanish Mastiff?

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Spanish Mastiffs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Do Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed more than Spanish Mastiffs?

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed moderately.

    Spanish Mastiffs shed moderately.

    Wanderlust Potential: Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs. Spanish Mastiff

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

    Spanish 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 Spanish Mastiff?

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Spanish Mastiffs do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Dandie Dinmont Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

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

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

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

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

    Does the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Spanish 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.

    Spanish 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 Spanish Mastiffs?

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

    Spanish 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 Spanish Mastiff vs Cavapoo.
  • Shih Tzu (79 percent match with Dandie Dinmont Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Spanish Mastiff vs Shih Tzu.

    • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Spanish Mastiff

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

  • Akbash (78 percent match with Spanish Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs Akbash.
  • Hovawart (81 percent match with Spanish Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs Hovawart.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus American Water Spaniel     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus American Eskimo Dog     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus American Foxhound     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Finnish Spitz     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Black Russian Terrier     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Schipperke     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Pomeranian     Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Maltipoo     

    Spanish Mastiff Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Spanish Mastiff versus Cavapoo     Spanish Mastiff versus Westiepoo     Spanish Mastiff versus Dutch Shepherd     Spanish Mastiff versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Spanish Mastiff versus King Shepherd     Spanish Mastiff versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Spanish Mastiff versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Spanish Mastiff versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Spanish Mastiff versus Cockapoo     Spanish Mastiff versus Afghan Hound     

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