Dandie Dinmont Terrier
AKA: Dandie, Hindlee Terrier
Description: The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a small breed with squarely proportional body. Its head has a strong forehead, a distinctive stop, a black nose, and pendant ears. The eyes are a lively hazel color. The jaws and teeth form a scissors bite.
The legs of the Dandie Dinmont are short, contributing to its small size, but muscular. Dewclaws are removed when the puppy is 3 to 4 days old. The tail is long and carried in an upward curve. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier’s coat is long and is a mixture of soft and rough hair. The hair on the top of the head and upper ears is softer and silkier than the rest of the body.
Dynamics: The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is an affectionate and lively companion dog. It is a plucky breed, brave and determined. It is protective of its family and gets along with children and babies when properly socialized with them since puppyhood. It is reserved with strangers and can be aggressive. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier should not be left alone with other male dogs and non-canine pets.
The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is an intelligent breed. It is easy to train, although at times it can be stubborn and willful. This breed also likes to bark, and its bark is louder than can be deduced from its size.
Breed Group: Terrier
Weight: 18-24 pounds (8-11 kg.)
Height: 8-11 inches (20-28 cm.)
Color: The Dandie Dinmont Terrier’s coat comes in either pepper or mustard. The mustard colored Dandie is born with a dark brown coat which lightens into shades of red as the breed grows. The pepper colored one is born with a black and tan coat, with a little silver. The topknot on the head of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier can either be cream colored or silver, respectively.
Country of Origin: The Dandie Dinmont Terrier came from the border area between England and Scotland. It got its name from the famous novel Guy Mannering by Sir Walter Scott.
Activities: The Dandie Dinmont Terrier was used mainly for catching vermin. It has also been used in hunting rabbit, otter, badger, mouse, martens, weasels, and skunks.
Grooming: With its long and mixed hair, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier needs to be regularly brushed. This bred sheds little to no hair so it might need some professional grooming once in a while. Pluck out dead hair once or twice a year.
Other Info: The Dandie Dinmont Terrier has a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. It is generally a healthy breed, although it has been known to have hypothyroidism when it grows old. Back problems, glaucoma, and epilepsy may also be an issue when the breed is not exercised properly and overweight. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier will be fine in an apartment as long as it is sufficiently exercised. When outside, it has to be on a leash because it might take off after a cat or other animal.
