Dandie Dinmont Terriers

Appearance:

Body: Long, low back, short legs, and well-sprung ribs.

Coat: Double-coated with a combination of harsh and soft hair.

Color: A dark bluish black to a light silvery gray, or Mustard: A reddish brown to a pale fawn. Puppies born black and tan will begin to turn pepper around ten months. Puppies born brown will begin to turn mustard around ten months of age.

Ears: Broad at the base tapering to the tip, set well back and wide apart. Ears hang low and close to the cheek.

Eyes: Large and prominent, but not protruding, with dark hazel coloring, wide-set, and very expressive.

Feet: Round and well-padded with dark nails. Front feet are much larger than the hind feet.

Head: Large and strong with a full-domed forehead, broad skull, well-developed jowls, black nose, and with a silken topnot of hair.

Legs: Forelegs are short, muscular, and well-boned. Hind legs are somewhat longer than the forelegs and wide-set with well-developed thighs.

Neck: Moderately long, muscular and well developed.

Size:
Weight: 18 - 24 pounds
Height: 8 - 11 inches

Tail: Short with stiff hair.

Behavior

Recommended for experienced dog handlers
Good with children if older and respectful of him
Will adapt to most living conditions
Not suited to long runs, hiking, and biking

The Readers Digest Illustrated Book of Dogs says, "The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a curiosity not only in name but also in physique. The Dandie Dinmont has a long body, an arched back, and a tail shaped like a scimitar." He is said to be one of the smartest and most independent of the terrier breeds.

Dandies are affectionate, intelligent, loyal, and dignified. They love children and other dogs, and make a great companion. They also love to play but caution should be taken as Dandies are predisposed to disc problems and may be injured if engaging in rough activities.

Dandies are good guard dogs with a mighty bark, for such a small breed, and willingness to fight if necessary. Because of his strong will he is best suited for an experienced dog handler. He is a sensitive breed best trained in obedience with praise and food rewards. Harsh treatment may make him stubborn and resistant to training.

Breed Type

AKC Group: Terrier Group

Originally bred to go to ground, the Dandie was used to hunt badgers, rats, stone martens, and field-mice. He has also been used to hunt rabbits and otters.

Care and Grooming

Exercise: Needs lots of exercise such as walking and playing each and every day.

Grooming: According to the Reader's Digest Book of Dogs you should, "brush it daily with a medium-hard, long-bristle brush. Clean the eyes with a cotton swab dipped in water that has been boiled and cooled. Cut the hair around the eyes regularly. Check the nails often, clipping and filing when necessary." Show dogs are stripped (dead hair plucked out) every few months.

Health

Life Expectancy: 13 - 14 Years

A hardy breed but can suffer from spinal problems if overweight.

Possible Problems:
Disc injuries
Glaucoma
Low Thyroid

Because of their long bodies, Dandies are susceptible to disc injuries usually caused by jumping off of furniture and from other high places, as well as running down stairs or being picked up incorrectly.

Be sure to provide good support when picking up your Dandie Dinmont Terrier.

Country of Origin

Scotland - 1700s