Dandie Dinmont Terrier

Dandie Dinmont Terrier

This adorable little dog, with its silky topknot, has a tenacious spirit.

History:

Although its ancestry has never been firmly established, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier comes from the border counties between Northern England and Scotland. The dog takes its name from a fictional character called Dandie Dinmont (said to be based on a farmer called James Davidson who had some of the dogs on his farm) in a nineteenth-century novel called Guy Mannering, by Sir Walter Scott. The novel was a huge success and the dog's popularity spread throughout Britain, adopting the Dandie Dinmont name.

The breed is variably thought to contain the base of many other terriers, including the Skye Terrier (which has the same droopy ears as the Dandie Dinmont), the Border Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Scottish Terrier, and also some Bedlington Terrier and Otter Hound. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier Club was founded in 1876, and the breed is rarely seen outside of Britain.

Physical characteristics:

A hardy, low-slung and long-bodied dog with a silky topknot and an intelligent, friendly expression. Height: 8 - 11 in (20.3 - 28 cm). Weight: 18 - 24 lb (8 -11 kg) under Canadian standards.

The head is large and strong, with well-developed jaws. The skull is broad between the ears; the forehead is domed at its widest point between the ears. Teeth are straight and scissor bite. The nose is black and the eyes are large, round and set wide, bright, prominent and dark hazel, with a sad expression. Ears are pendent, set well back and wide apart and hang flat to the cheek. A muscular neck on a long, strong body with well-sprung ribs, and a back that is low at the shoulder. The tail is short, 8 - 9.75 in (20 - 25 cm). The front legs are shorter than the back, and the hind feet smaller than the forefeet.

The coat color of the Dandie Dinmont is in two ranges: Pepper, varying from dark bluish-black to light silvery-gray; and Mustard, varying from reddish brown to pale tawny with a creamy white head. Paws and feet are darker than the head. The coat is a double coat 2.5 in (6 cm) long from head to tail, with a mixture of stiff and short hair which is fuzzy to the touch. The underside is lighter and softer than the top.

Behavior:

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier, while looking completely adorable, is still by nature a true terrier. As this dog looks so cute, people may be inclined to allow this dog a little too much freedom. It is advisable to remain firm with this terrier so that it does not become too bossy as it matures. This is especially important with the male dogs if they are not going to be sterilized.

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is alert and has a keen sense of its territory, and so makes a good watch-dog. It will delight in alerting its owners to any potential incursion of its territory. This dog makes a wonderful companion for single people and couples. This terrier will thrive if given regular attention and tasks to please its owners. Families with small children should be cautious for two reasons. Firstly, if the dog has been given favored status it may become jealous. Secondly, it may be at risk of injury from over-zealous play if the children are too rough. Given the right conditions, however, this wonderful little dog can make an excellent companion animal.