Last Updated: May 01, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Miniature Schnauzer Versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Introduction
- Miniature Schnauzer versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Overview
- Miniature Schnauzer versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- The Similarities Between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Size Comparison of the Miniature Schnauzer versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Lifespan of Miniature Schnauzer versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Temperament of the Miniature Schnauzer Versus the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- The Intelligence of the Miniature Schnauzer versus the Intelligence of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- The Popularity of Miniature Schnauzer versus Popularity of Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Health Problems of Miniature Schnauzer versus Health Problems of Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: Miniature Schnauzer versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Do Miniature Schnauzers shed more than Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
- Are Miniature Schnauzers good family dogs? What about Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
- Is the Miniature Schnauzer Easier to Train than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
- Which one drools more, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- How Kid-friendly are Miniature Schnauzers and Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
- Does the Miniature Schnauzer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
- Do Miniature Schnauzers Bark and Howl? What about Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
- Can Miniature Schnauzers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Miniature Schnauzer vs. Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Can Miniature Schnauzers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Miniature Schnauzer Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Miniature Schnauzer versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
Miniature Schnauzer Versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
Miniature Schnauzer versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Overview
A very important difference between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Miniature Schnauzer is a small-sized dog while the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are Terrier Dogs. This means both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier 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.
Miniature Schnauzer versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
| Factor | Miniature Schnauzer | Dandie Dinmont Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 11 to 20 pounds | 18 to 24 pounds |
| Life Span | 12 to 14 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Height | 13 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder | 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1950 | No Data |
| Price Range | $1400 – $2500 | No Data |
| Temperament Score | 79.3 percent | 71.4 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 17 | 173 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 12 | 62 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer is 82 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 Miniature Schnauzer is a better pet than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. So, you should get a Miniature Schnauzer!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Below is a list of where the Miniature Schnauzer and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are most different:
The Similarities Between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
The Miniature Schnauzer and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Miniature Schnauzer and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Miniature Schnauzer versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
The Miniature Schnauzer weighs 11 to 20 pounds when fully grown. The Miniature Schnauzer is 13 to 14 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 Miniature Schnauzer versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier
The lifespan of the Miniature Schnauzer is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of the Miniature Schnauzer is 13.0 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 Miniature Schnauzer.
Temperament of the Miniature Schnauzer Versus the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
The Miniature Schnauzer has a better temperament than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
This is because the temperament score for the Miniature Schnauzer is 79.3 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 79.3 percent, the Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 116 Miniature Schnauzers and 7 Dandie Dinmont Terriers.
The Intelligence of the Miniature Schnauzer versus the Intelligence of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
| Miniature Schnauzer | Dandie Dinmont Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 12 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 Miniature Schnauzer has an obedience intelligence rank of 12 out of 130 dog breeds. The Miniature Schnauzer belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Miniature Schnauzers 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 Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Miniature Schnauzer is more popular with dog owners than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Miniature Schnauzer is 17 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 Miniature Schnauzer
Popularity of Dandie Dinmont Terrier
| Year | Miniature Schnauzer Popularity Rank | Dandie Dinmont Terrier Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 17 | 168 |
| 2014 | 16 | 167 |
| 2015 | 16 | 172 |
| 2016 | 17 | 167 |
| 2017 | 18 | 182 |
| 2018 | 19 | 176 |
| 2019 | 18 | 174 |
| 2020 | 19 | 181 |
| 2021 | 18 | 174 |
Health Problems of Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer is prone to more genetic health problems than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Miniature Schnauzer than for the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
4 health tests are recommended for Miniature Schnauzer while 2 tests are recommended for the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Miniature Schnauzers and in Dandie Dinmont Terriers.
Miniature Schnauzer Health Problems
Miniature Schnauzers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Miniature Schnauzers 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: Miniature Schnauzer versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Miniature Schnauzers can be left alone for some time without problems.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Do Miniature Schnauzers shed more than Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
Miniature Schnauzers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
Miniature Schnauzers 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 Miniature Schnauzer or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
Miniature Schnauzers get along fairly well with other dogs.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.
Are Miniature Schnauzers good family dogs? What about Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
Miniature Schnauzers 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 Miniature Schnauzer Easier to Train than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
Miniature Schnauzers are very easy to train.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers are not easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Miniature Schnauzers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Miniature Schnauzers and Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
Miniature Schnauzers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Miniature Schnauzer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
Miniature Schnauzers 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 Miniature Schnauzers Bark and Howl? What about Dandie Dinmont Terriers?
Miniature Schnauzers bark and howl, but not very much.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Miniature Schnauzers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Miniature Schnauzers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Miniature Schnauzer vs. Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Miniature Schnauzers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get 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 Miniature Schnauzers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Dandie Dinmont Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Miniature Schnauzers can tolerate hot weather.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Is the Miniature Schnauzer Better for Apartment Owners than the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
Miniature Schnauzers adapt very well to apartment living.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
Miniature Schnauzers are OK for new dog owners.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers are very good for new dog owners.
Miniature Schnauzer Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Miniature Schnauzer compares to other breeds aside from the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Miniature Schnauzer to other breeds:
Miniature Schnauzer versus Schipperke Miniature Schnauzer versus Saint Berdoodle Miniature Schnauzer versus Maltipoo Miniature Schnauzer versus Rottweiler Miniature Schnauzer versus German Shepherd Dog Miniature Schnauzer versus Pharaoh Hound Miniature Schnauzer versus American Bulldog Miniature Schnauzer versus Goldador Miniature Schnauzer versus Chinese Crested Miniature Schnauzer versus Harrier Miniature Schnauzer versus Cesky Terrier Miniature Schnauzer versus Carolina Dog Miniature Schnauzer versus Flat-Coated Retriever Miniature Schnauzer versus Finnish Lapphund Miniature Schnauzer versus Curly-Coated Retriever Miniature Schnauzer versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen
Conclusion: Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier better suits you and your family.