Dandie
Dinmont Terrier
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 Description:
The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a hardy working
terrier with the stamina to hunt all day and
endure rough terrain and inclement weather
of the English-Scottish Border country. It
was in this area - specifically the Cheviot
Hills near the border - that this small, short-legged
dog was first bred from old terrier breeds.
Dandies were first recorded about 1700. The
Dandie Dinmont Terrier is named after Dandie
Dinmont, a jovial farmer in Sir Walter Scott's
novel Guy Mannering. This breed was
primarily used to hunt and kill vermin as
well as hunting small game such as otter,
badger and rabbit.
The Dandie Dinmont Terrier Club was formed
in November 1875 and remains one of the oldest
pedigree breed clubs in the world today. In
1886, the American Kennel Club registered
'Bonnie Brittona' - a Dandie Dinmont Terrier,
in the first year of the Stud Book Registry.
Dandie Dinmont Terriers were specifically
bred to be long and low to the ground. Their
legs are short and muscular, the head is large
and distinctive and the eyes are dark and
large.
Height:
The height of a Dandie Dinmont Terrier is
between 8-11 inches (20-28 cm)
Weight: The weight of a Dandie
Dinmont Terrier is between 18-24 pounds (8-11
kg)
Coat Type: The
coat on the body of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
is a mixture of soft under coat with a hard
outer coat and is about 2 inches in length.
It has a crisp (not wiry) texture and the
head is covered in soft, silky hair. The Dandie
Dinmont Terrier does not shed its coat which
is typical of terrier breeds. Dead hair should
be plucked or stripped out once or twice a
year and then new hairs will grow in. Clipping
or cutting the hair on the body of this breed
results in loss of color (which is only on
the tips of the hard hairs) and texture resulting
in changing the Dandie Dinmont Terrier's characteristic
appearance. Regular coat care is necessary
for a Dandie.
Color: The Dandie Dinmont
Terrier's coat color is pepper or mustard
Temperament: Dandie Dinmont
Terriers are affectionate, fun-loving and
intelligent. Independent and reserved - makes
a great companion dog. Bold, unafraid, loyal.
Because of their hunting background, Dandie
Dinmont Terriers have a strong instinct to
chase and seize small animals. Dandies are
not hard to train, as long as you are firm
and consistent. Rules and limits must always
be enforced otherwise your dog may display
varying behavior issues such as stubbornness,
hard to train, snapping, biting, aggressiveness
and excessive barking. Dandie Dinmont Terriers
are protective of family and home and for
a small dog and this breed has a notable 'big'
bark. Good with all well-behaved children
and babies as long as they are raised with
them from puppy hood.
Health Problems: The Dandie
Dinmont Terrier is prone to intervertebral
disc disease, glaucoma and hypothyroidism
which is not uncommon in an older dog. Other
health concerns include lens luxation. The
average life span of a Dandie Dinmont Terrier
is 11 -14 years.
Special Interest:
• In the 1840s, King
Louis Phillipe of France had a pair of Dandie
Dinmonts.
• The Dandie Dinmont
Terrier is small dog, but makes a great guard
dog and has a big bark.
• The Dandie
Dinmont Terrier got its name from a fictional
character in Sir Walter Scott's novel
Guy Mannering.
• The Dandie
Dinmont Terrier was enjoyed by gypsies as
well as the rich. Queen Victoria owned
a Dandie.
Classifications:
AKC: Terrier Group
ANKC: Group 2 - Terriers
CKC: Terrier
FCI: Group 2 Section 2 - Terriers
KC: Terrier Group
UKC: Terrier Group |
