Last Updated: Jun 15, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Australian Shepherd Versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Introduction
- Australian Shepherd versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Overview
- Australian Shepherd versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Shepherd and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Size Comparison of the Australian Shepherd versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Lifespan of Australian Shepherd versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Temperament of the Australian Shepherd Versus the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- The Popularity of Australian Shepherd versus Popularity of Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Health Problems of Australian Shepherd versus Health Problems of Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Shepherd versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Do Australian Shepherds shed more than Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Shepherd or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Shepherd or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
- Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
- Is the Australian Shepherd Easier to Train than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
- Which one drools more, the Australian Shepherd or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
- Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
- Do Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
- Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Australian Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Australian Shepherd versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
Australian Shepherd Versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Australian Shepherd and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Australian Shepherd and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier 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 Australian Shepherd and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Australian Shepherd and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier 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 Australian Shepherd and for the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Australian Shepherd and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Australian Shepherd or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
Australian Shepherd versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Overview
A very important difference between the Australian Shepherd and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Australian Shepherd is a medium-sized dog while the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Australian 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.
On the other hand, 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.
Australian Shepherd versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Australian Shepherd to the Dandie Dinmont Terrier 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.
Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Australian Shepherd and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
| Factor | Australian Shepherd | Dandie Dinmont Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Height | 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder | 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 40 to 65 pounds | 18 to 24 pounds |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1180 | No Data |
| Price Range | $800 – $1500 | No Data |
| Temperament Score | 82.2 percent | 71.4 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 15 | 173 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Australian Shepherd 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 Dandie Dinmont Terrier. 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 the Australian Shepherd is 70 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is 80 out of 125.
Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier, we still believe that the Australian Shepherd is a better pet than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
This is because Australian Shepherds are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Australian Shepherd will come out on top.
Also, we are biased in favor of the Australian Shepherd :-). We are for the Australian Shepherd. So get a Australian Shepherd!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Shepherd and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Below is a list of where the Australian Shepherd and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are most different:
The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
The Australian Shepherd and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Australian Shepherd and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Australian Shepherd versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Australian Shepherd and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
The Australian Shepherd weighs 40 to 65 pounds when fully grown. The Australian Shepherd is 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier weighs 18 to 24 pounds when fully grown. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Australian Shepherd versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier
The lifespan of the Australian Shepherd is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Australian Shepherd is 13.5 years.
The lifespan of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is 13.5 years.
The Dandie Dinmont Terrier live as long as the Australian Shepherd.
Temperament of the Australian Shepherd Versus the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
The Australian Shepherd has a better temperament than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
This is because the temperament score for the Australian Shepherd is 82.2 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 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 82.2 percent, the Australian Shepherd has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 71.4 percent, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Australian Shepherd and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 702 Australian Shepherds and 7 Dandie Dinmont Terriers.
The Popularity of Australian Shepherd versus Popularity of Dandie Dinmont Terrier
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 Australian Shepherd and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Australian Shepherd is more popular with dog owners than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Australian Shepherd is 15 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 Australian Shepherd
Popularity of Dandie Dinmont Terrier
| Year | Australian Shepherd Popularity Rank | Dandie Dinmont Terrier Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 20 | 168 |
| 2014 | 18 | 167 |
| 2015 | 17 | 172 |
| 2016 | 16 | 167 |
| 2017 | 17 | 182 |
| 2018 | 15 | 176 |
| 2019 | 13 | 174 |
| 2020 | 12 | 181 |
| 2021 | 12 | 174 |
Health Problems of Australian Shepherd versus Health Problems of Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.
Both the Australian Shepherd and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier 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 Australian 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 Australian Shepherd than for the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
7 health tests are recommended for Australian Shepherd while 2 tests are recommended for the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Australian Shepherds and in Dandie Dinmont Terriers.
Australian Shepherd Health Problems
Australian Shepherds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Australian 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 Australian Shepherd puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Australian 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 Australian Shepherds for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Australian Shepherds here.
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.
Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Shepherd versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Australian Shepherds do not like to be left alone.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Do Australian Shepherds shed more than Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
Australian Shepherds shed moderately.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Shepherd or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
Australian Shepherds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Shepherd or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
Australian Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.
Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
Australian Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Australian Shepherd Easier to Train than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
Australian Shepherds are very easy to train.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers are not easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Australian Shepherd or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Australian Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
Australian Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
Australian 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.
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.
Do Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
Australian Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Australian Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Australian Shepherds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Australian Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Is the Australian Shepherd Better for Apartment Owners than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
Australian Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Australian Shepherd or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
Australian Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers are very good for new dog owners.
Australian Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Australian Shepherd compares to other breeds aside from the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Australian Shepherd to other breeds:
Australian Shepherd versus Giant Schnauzer Australian Shepherd versus Akbash Australian Shepherd versus Westiepoo Australian Shepherd versus Afador Australian Shepherd versus Glen of Imaal Terrier Australian Shepherd versus Bichon Frise Australian Shepherd versus Lhasa Apso Australian Shepherd versus Valley Bulldog Australian Shepherd versus Harrier Australian Shepherd versus Alaskan Malamute Australian Shepherd versus Briard Australian Shepherd versus Korean Jindo Dog Australian Shepherd versus Samoyed Australian Shepherd versus Fila Brasileiro Australian Shepherd versus Australian Terrier Australian Shepherd versus Silky Terrier
Conclusion: Australian Shepherd versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier. 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 Australian Shepherd and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier better suits you and your family.