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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
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Dandie Dinmont Terrier