Everything about your Dandie Dinmont Terrier

  Dandie Dinmont Terriers originally were bred to hunt otter and badger. Nicknamed the gentleman of the terrier family, he is calm and reserved, yet retains his terrier tenacity and love of the hunt. His small size and moderate exercise needs make him well suited to both city and country homes.

Overview

  The Dandie Dinmont is a native breed that hails from the Scottish Borders where they were once used as highly prized hunting dogs. They are short-legged and boast long bodies with an abundant amount of hair on their heads which adds to their endearing, unique looks and appeal. Dandies are a rare breed even though they such adorable dogs that are known to be devoted to children.
  They are intelligent, although they do boast being a little wilful when it pleases them, but with this said the Dandie Dinmont makes for a wonderful companion and family pet. The breed is on The Kennel Club’s vulnerable native breed list and sadly, the future of the Dandie Dinmont is now a big concern with few puppies being bred and registered every year. As such, anyone wanting to share a home a with a Dandie Dinmont Terrier would need to register their interest with breeders for the pleasure of doing so.

Highlights

• If your Dandie Dinmont Terrier becomes overweight, he can have back problems. Be sure to monitor his food intake and give him regular exercise to keep him in shape.
  

• Dandie Dinmonts are independent and can be stubborn when it comes to housetraining. Crate training is recommended.
• Dandies are reserved with strangers and make good watchdogs. Their bark is surprisingly loud and deep, but being a typically reserved breed, they can be trained to be quiet on command.
• Because they are terriers, they are prone to chasing rabbits, birds, and even other dogs and cats. Be sure to keep your Dandie on leash when he’s not in a secure area.
• While Dandies typically aren’t aggressive dogs, they will not back down from a challenge from other dogs, no matter what their size. Be sure to keep your Dandie under control until you know that both he and the other dog are friendly to each other.
• Because of their unusual looks and small size, they could be targets for dog thieves. Although Dandies do well outdoors, they should be kept in your house when you can’t supervise them.
• Dandie Dinmonts are a rare breed. It may be difficult to locate a reputable breeder, and even when you locate one, you may have to wait several months for a litter to be born.

• The Dandie Dinmont coat sheds little and must be combed twice a week to prevent or remove mats and tangles. 
• A people-loving dog like the Dandie Dinmont Terrier needs to live in the house. 

Breed standards

AKC group: Terrier

UKC group: Terrier

Average lifespan: 12 to 15 years

Average size: 18 to 24 pounds

Coat appearance: Rough coated

Coloration: Pepper or mustard

Hypoallergenic: Yes

Best Suited For: Families with older children, singles, seniors, apartments, houses with/without yards

Temperament: Loyal, affectionate, intelligent, independent

Comparable Breeds: Skye Terrier, Scottish Terrier

History

  The majority of Terriers are native to England and were often developed to work a specific type of terrain or quarry. The dogs that became the Dandie Dinmont originated in the Cheviot Hills border area between England and Scotland, where they hunted otter and badger. They have been known for some 300 years.

  Throughout his existence, the Dandie has been appreciated by all classes, from the nomadic Rom to farmers to nobility and even royalty. Queen Victoria no doubt encountered the unusual Terriers on one of her trips to Scotland — perhaps after reading Sir Walter Scott’s “Guy Mannering” — and kept one herself.

  The American Kennel Club recognized the Dandie in 1886. He has never been excessively popular but remains a well-kept secret among people who appreciate his looks and personality. The Dandie ranks 164th among the breeds registered by the AKC.

Temperament

  The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a small dog with a big personality being a typical terrier at heart. They do not know their size and would happily take on a bigger dog if they feel they have to. With that said, they are known to be very affectionate, friendly and placid dogs by nature. They are not the best choice for first time owners because these little terriers can prove rather challenging to train thanks to their stubborn streak. However, in the right hands and with the right amount of socialisation and training, the Dandie does make for a great family pet.

  Like most terriers, the Dandie likes to be kept busy and does not do well if they are left on their own for longer periods of time, much preferring the company of people. As such they are good choice for people where one person usually stays at home when everyone else is out of the house. It these little terriers are not given enough exercise and mental stimulation on a daily basis, they quickly learn to amuse themselves which typically involves them developing some unwanted and often destructive behaviours. This includes separation anxiety and being destructive around the house and excessive barking. Dandies are known to like the sound of their own voices which is something that needs to be gently nipped in the bud when dogs are still young or it could become a real issue.

Health

  Dandies have an average life span of 12 to 15 years. Breeed health concerns may include intervertebral disc disease, epilepsy, glaucoma, refractory corneal ulceration, hypothyroidism, primary lens luxation and hypochondroplasia, which causes short, bowed legs, accepted in this breed standard.

Care

  The dog’s coat needs to be combed twice a week, in addition to regular shaping and trimming. For show dogs, continuous shaping is required. But clipping and stripping just four times a year is sufficient for pet Dandie Dinmonts.

  The Dandie loves to explore and hunt, so make sure it does this in a secure area. To remain fit, the Dandie should be walked regularly. Additionally, Dandies should be allowed to sleep inside, but may be kept outdoors during the day.

Trainability

  Training a Dandie Dinmont can be a challenge. These little dogs think they are the center and rulers of the universe, and until they are proven wrong, they act as such. Trainers must prove they are able to lead, or the Dandie will not listen. Consistency is key – give these little guys an inch, and they’ll take a mile and a half. Positive reinforcement and lots of delicious treats are the best recipe for training a Dandie. Harsh treatment and discipline will result in a dog that simply refuses to listen. They have also been known to snap or bite when they have been pushed too hard.

Exercise Requirements

  This little dog needs a moderate amount of exercise to keep him healthy and happy. A daily walk or vigorous play session is all they need. Because of their flexible exercise requirements, a Dandie can live an apartment or condominium, as well as in the suburbs.

Grooming

  The Dandie Dinmont Terrier has a unique look that requires regular grooming. His coat must be scissored and shaped every four to six weeks to maintain its distinctive appearance. A professional groomer familiar with the breed can do that for you, or you can learn to trim the coat yourself.

  At home, he need to be brushing several times a week with a soft slicker brush to prevent or remove mats and tangles. The good news is that the coat doesn’t shed much.

  The rest is basic care. Trim his nails as needed, usually once a month. Brush his teeth frequently for good overall health and fresh breath. Check his ears weekly for dirt, redness, or bad odor, which can indicate an infection. If the ears look dirty, wipe them out with a cotton ball dampened with a gentle ear cleaner recommended by your veterinarian. It is important to begin grooming the Dandie when he is very young – this early introduction teaches him to accept the handling and fuss of grooming patiently. 

Children and Other Pets

  The Dandie does make a great family pet, but for families where the children are older and therefore know how to behave around dogs. Care should be taken when there are toddlers around and any interaction between them and a dog has to be supervised by an adult to make sure things stay friendly and playtime does not get too boisterous.

  Care has to be taken when Dandies are around other animals and smaller pets which includes cats because being terriers they might just see them as “fair game”. With this said, if they have grown up with a cat in the house, they generally accept them being around, but would think nothing of chasing a neighbour’s cat if they ever ventured into a back garden. These little terriers are known to be good around other dogs especially if they have been well socialised from a young age.

Did You Know?

Sir Walter Scott was so entertained by the breed that he included it in his novel “Guy Mannering,” published in 1814. His character Dandie Dinmont, after whom the breed takes its name, is thought to have been based on a farmer named James Davidson, whose dogs, known as “the immortal six,” were Auld Pepper, Auld Mustard, Young Pepper, Young Mustard, Little Pepper, and Little Mustard, which is how the breed came by its coat color names.