Last Updated: May 01, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Collie Versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Introduction
- Collie versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Overview
- Collie versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Comparison Table
- The Similarities Between the Collie and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Size Comparison of the Collie versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Lifespan of Collie versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Temperament of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus the Collie
- The Intelligence of the Collie versus the Intelligence of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- The Popularity of Collie versus Popularity of Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Health Problems of Collie versus Health Problems of Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: Collie versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Do Collies shed more than Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Collie or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Collie or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
- Are Collies good family dogs? What about Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
- Is the Collie Easier to Train than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
- Which one drools more, the Collie or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- How Kid-friendly are Collies and Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
- Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
- Do Collies Bark and Howl? What about Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
- Can Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Can Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Collie versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
Collie Versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Collie 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 Collie 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 Collie and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Collie 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 Collie 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 Collie 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 Collie or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
Note that the Collie breed comes in two varieties based on coat texture. There is the smooth collie and the rough collie. Read our article on rough collie versus smooth collie.
Furthermore, the border collie dog breed is very different from the collie dog breed. Learn about the differences between these two dog breeds in our border collie versus collie article.
See this article that compares the Border Collie to the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
Finally, just like the collie, the border collie also comes in two varieties. There is the rough border collie and the smooth border collie. To learn about the differences and similarities between them, check out our article on rough-coat border collie versus smooth-coat border collie.
Collie versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Overview
A very important difference between the Collie and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Collie is a medium-sized dog while the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Collie 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.
Collie versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Collie 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 Collie and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
| Factor | Collie | Dandie Dinmont Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 14 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 22 to 26 inches all at the shoulder | 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 50 to 70 pounds | 18 to 24 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 12.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1480 | No Data |
| Price Range | $1000 – $1800 | No Data |
| Temperament Score | 80.8 percent | 71.4 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 37 | 173 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 16 | 62 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Collie 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 Collie is 83 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is 80 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Collie is a better pet than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. So, you should get a Collie!
The Similarities Between the Collie and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
The Collie and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Collie and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Collie versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Collie and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
The Collie weighs 50 to 70 pounds when fully grown. The Collie is 22 to 26 inches all 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 Collie versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier
The lifespan of the Collie is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of the Collie is 12.0 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 longer than the Collie.
Temperament of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Versus the Collie
The Collie has a better temperament than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
This is because the temperament score for the Collie is 80.8 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 80.8 percent, the Collie 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 Collie and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 896 Collies and 7 Dandie Dinmont Terriers.
The Intelligence of the Collie versus the Intelligence of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
| Collie | Dandie Dinmont Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 16 out of 130 dog breeds | 62 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 Repetitions! |
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 Collie has an obedience intelligence rank of 16 out of 130 dog breeds. The Collie belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Collies tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 repetitions.
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 Collie is more intelligent than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
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 Collie 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 Collie and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Collie is more popular with dog owners than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Collie is 37 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 Collie
Popularity of Dandie Dinmont Terrier
| Year | Collie Popularity Rank | Dandie Dinmont Terrier Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 35 | 168 |
| 2014 | 36 | 167 |
| 2015 | 36 | 172 |
| 2016 | 37 | 167 |
| 2017 | 40 | 182 |
| 2018 | 38 | 176 |
| 2019 | 38 | 174 |
| 2020 | 40 | 181 |
| 2021 | 38 | 174 |
Health Problems of Collie 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 Collie 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 Collie is prone to more genetic health problems than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Collie than for the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
4 health tests are recommended for Collie while 2 tests are recommended for the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Collies and in Dandie Dinmont Terriers.
Collie Health Problems
Collies are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Collie 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 Collie puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Collie 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 Collies for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Collies 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: Collie versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Collies do not like to be left alone.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Do Collies shed more than Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
Collies shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Collie or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
Collies 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 Collie or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
Collies get along very well with other dogs.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.
Are Collies good family dogs? What about Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
Collies 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 Collie Easier to Train than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
Collies are very easy to train.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers are not easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Collie or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Collies do have a very low tendency to drool.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Collies and Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
Collies get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
Collies 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 Collies Bark and Howl? What about Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
Collies 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 Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Collies can very well tolerate cold weather.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Collies do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Collies can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Is the Collie Better for Apartment Owners than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
Collies adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Collie or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
Collies are very good for new dog owners.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers are very good for new dog owners.
Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Collie compares to other breeds aside from the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Collie to other breeds:
Collie versus Giant Schnauzer Collie versus Cesky Terrier Collie versus Italian Greyhound Collie versus Dachshund Collie versus Belgian Malinois Collie versus Borzoi Collie versus Mastiff Collie versus English Cocker Spaniel Collie versus Standard Schnauzer Collie versus Treeing Walker Coonhound Collie versus Great Pyrenees Collie versus Greyhound Collie versus Scottish Terrier Collie versus American Pit Bull Terrier Collie versus Chinook Collie versus Braque du Bourbonnais Collie versus Cardigan Welsh CorgiConclusion: Collie 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 Collie and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier better suits you and your family.