Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Swedish Vallhund: Introduction
- Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Swedish Vallhund: Overview
- Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Swedish Vallhund: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund
- The Similarities Between the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund
- Size (Weight and Height) of Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Swedish Vallhund
- The Popularity of Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Popularity of Swedish Vallhund
- Health Problems of Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Health Problems of Swedish Vallhund
- Which one drools more, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Swedish Vallhund
- Tolerates Being Alone: Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Swedish Vallhund
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Swedish Vallhund?
- Is the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Easier to Train than the Swedish Vallhund?
- Do Dandie Dinmont Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Swedish Vallhunds?
- Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Swedish Vallhunds Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Swedish Vallhunds Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Swedish Vallhund?
- Do Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed more than Swedish Vallhunds?
- Wanderlust Potential: Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs. Swedish Vallhund
- How Kid-friendly are Dandie Dinmont Terriers and Swedish Vallhunds?
- Does the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Swedish Vallhund?
- Are Dandie Dinmont Terriers good family dogs? What about Swedish Vallhunds?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Swedish Vallhund
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Swedish Vallhund. Which One is a Better Pet?
Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Swedish Vallhund: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund? 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 Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund. 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 Swedish Vallhund.
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 Swedish Vallhund
Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Swedish Vallhund: Overview
A very important difference between the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a tiny-sized dog while the Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Dandie Dinmont Terrier to the Swedish Vallhund 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 | Swedish Vallhund |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Weight | 18 to 24 pounds | 22 to 35 pounds |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| 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 | 3/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| 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 | 5/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder | 11 inches to 1 foot, 1 inch tall at the shoulder |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 13.5 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $2500 – $2500 |
| Average Price | No Data | $2500 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 173 | 155 |
*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 Swedish Vallhund. 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 Swedish Vallhund is 86 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Swedish Vallhund is a better pet than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. So, you should get the Swedish Vallhund!
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 Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund
Below is a list of where the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund are most different:
The Similarities Between the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund
The Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Swedish Vallhund
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund.
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, Swedish Vallhunds weigh 22 to 35 pounds when fully grown. Swedish Vallhunds are 11 inches to 1 foot, 1 inch tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
The Popularity of Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Popularity of Swedish Vallhund
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 Swedish Vallhund over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Swedish Vallhund is more popular with dog owners than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Swedish Vallhund is 155 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 Swedish Vallhund
| Year | Dandie Dinmont Terrier Popularity Rank | Swedish Vallhund Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 168 | 147 |
| 2014 | 167 | 158 |
| 2015 | 172 | 155 |
| 2016 | 167 | 163 |
| 2017 | 182 | 149 |
| 2018 | 176 | 169 |
| 2019 | 174 | 159 |
| 2020 | 181 | 147 |
Health Problems of Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Health Problems of Swedish Vallhund
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 Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
2 health tests are recommended for Dandie Dinmont Terrier while 2 tests are recommended for the Swedish Vallhund.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Dandie Dinmont Terriers and in Swedish Vallhunds.
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.
Swedish Vallhund Health Problems
Swedish Vallhunds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhunds for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Swedish Vallhunds here.
Which one drools more, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Swedish Vallhund
Dandie Dinmont Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Swedish Vallhunds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Tolerates Being Alone: Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Swedish Vallhund
Dandie Dinmont Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Swedish Vallhunds can be left alone only for a short time.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Swedish Vallhund?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Swedish Vallhunds are very easy to groom.
Is the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Easier to Train than the Swedish Vallhund?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers are not easy to train.
Swedish Vallhunds are very easy to train.
Do Dandie Dinmont Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Swedish Vallhunds?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Swedish Vallhunds are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Swedish Vallhunds Tolerate Cold Weather?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Swedish Vallhunds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Swedish Vallhunds Tolerate Hot Weather?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Swedish Vallhunds 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 Swedish Vallhund?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.
Swedish Vallhunds get along fairly well with other dogs.
Do Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed more than Swedish Vallhunds?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed moderately.
Swedish Vallhunds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Wanderlust Potential: Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs. Swedish Vallhund
Dandie Dinmont Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Swedish Vallhunds 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 Swedish Vallhund?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
Swedish Vallhunds adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier or the Swedish Vallhund?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers are very good for new dog owners.
Swedish Vallhunds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
How Kid-friendly are Dandie Dinmont Terriers and Swedish Vallhunds?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Swedish Vallhunds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Swedish Vallhund?
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.
Swedish Vallhunds 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 Swedish Vallhunds?
Dandie Dinmont Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Swedish Vallhunds 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 Swedish Vallhund
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and how the Swedish Vallhund compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and of the Swedish Vallhund to other breeds:
Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Kai Ken Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Flat-Coated Retriever Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Chinook Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus French Bulldog Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus German Wirehaired Pointer Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Chinese Crested Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Miniature Schnauzer Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Greyhound Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Berger Picard
Swedish Vallhund Versus Other Dog Breeds
Swedish Vallhund versus Icelandic Sheepdog Swedish Vallhund versus Lakeland Terrier Swedish Vallhund versus Maltese Swedish Vallhund versus Norwegian Lundehund Swedish Vallhund versus Kooikerhondje Swedish Vallhund versus Norfolk Terrier Swedish Vallhund versus Bull Terrier Swedish Vallhund versus Manchester Terrier Swedish Vallhund versus Spanish Mastiff Swedish Vallhund versus Sheepadoodle
Conclusion: Dandie Dinmont Terrier versus Swedish Vallhund. 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 Swedish Vallhund better suits you and your family.