The distinctively low-slung Dandie Dinmont terrier is one of the oldest named terriers – as famed for his prowess for vermin control as he is for his loving and loyal behaviour towards his humans. This is a relatively rare dog who has changed little since the breed was established in the 18th century. The proliferation of Dandies was heavily impacted by both World Wars, but there has not been much of a revival of this unique little furry friend.
Tough and sturdy, but with big expressive eyes and typical terrier alertness, the Dandie makes a faithful friend to children and adults alike.
History
Back in the 17th and 18th centuries, when terriers were hard at work ridding factories and farms of rodents and other vermin, there were few distinct terriers bred as a type. The Dandie Dinmont terrier, however, was bred in the early 1700s to get rid of otters and badgers on farms, but he wasn’t named until Scottish novelist, Sir Walter Scott, mentioned the farmer Dandie Dinmont in the book Guy Mannering. Dinmont had these short-legged, curved-backed little ‘pepper’ and ‘mustard’ working terriers, which subsequently received much exposure and praise thanks to the popularity of the novel. The knock-on effect was that the real-life terriers were thus named after the fictional Dandie Dinmont – the only breed of dog to be named after a fictional character, and the first breed of dog to be given a specific name (not just ‘terrier’).
The breed standard was set in 1875 after the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Club was established in Scotland – this is the third-oldest breed club in the world. The first Dandie Dinmont terrier to be registered in the USA was done in 1886 when the stud book opened, although it’s not really known how long Dandies have been in the US.
The Dandie Dinmont terrier was a huge hit in Europe and the UK until both World Wars devastated breeding kennels because of a lack of food and resources. Despite the hard work to re-establish the breed, the Dandie has become extremely rare and there is still a risk that he will disappear altogether.
Temperament
Typically terrier, the Dandie Dinmont is self-confident, tenacious and intelligent. He was set to work on his own, so he still possesses an independent streak. He’s affectionate with his family (although in a dignified manner) and a little aloof with strangers – his trust needs to be earned. He needs to grow up with other pets in order to get along with them, but he may be weary of new furry friends when he’s an adult.
He has a big personality for such a little dog, although that’s another common terrier trait. What’s uncharacteristic is that the Dandie is not much of a barker, so when he does bark, you know something’s up. He is not as tightly wound as most terriers are, and he can play well with kids. And, like most dogs, the Dandie would do very well to have his manners tempered with early socialisation and training.
Health
The Dandie Dinmont terrier is not particularly prone to the same health problems that many terriers and other purebred dogs are. He is very robust and healthy, but some breeding lines may be susceptible to the following:
- Spinal issues: This is due to his elongated body and the vulnerability of his spine to get damaged during everyday jumping up and down. His spine should be protected through the use of car ramps, furniture stairs, and not encouraging him to jump.
- Cheyletiella yasguri mites: Any dog can get these mites, but the Dandie appears particularly susceptible.
Exercise Requirements
Although small, the Dandie Dinmont terrier needs a fair amount of exercise to keep him calm and happy. Two daily sessions of half an hour each will suffice – either two walks or a fast-paced walk and a fun play session in a securely fenced yard. With his body longer than it is tall, he will not make a great jogging buddy – he’s just not built for long-distance exercise. Since he was bred as a hunting dog, his chase instinct is still intact and if he sees a small creature or the neighbour’s cat dart across his vision, he’s likely to give chase. Thus, the Dandie should always be leashed when in public.
The terrier independence (or stubbornness!) is innate in the Dandie, but he’s also very intelligent and keen to please his owner. Given enough motivation through positive reinforcement training and lots of patience from his owner, the Dandie will soon learn that it’s better for him to keep his human happy. With early socialisation and ongoing obedience training, he will become a well-mannered yet spunky member of the furry family.
Grooming Requirements
The double coat of the Dandie Dinmont terrier is made up of a very soft undercoat with an interesting top coat that is a mixture of hard and soft hair. The hair on the top of his head is a fine and silky ‘topknot’ adding to his unique look. He needs to be brushed daily so that no mats can form and to remove any loose, dead hair, since he doesn’t shed much naturally. The maintenance of this coat involves being hand-stripped twice a year, which can be done at the groomers or learnt at home.
His toenails should be regularly clipped to keep his feet healthy, and his teeth brushed daily to avoid tartar build-up.
Ratings
Friendliness to other pets
Friendliness to strangers
Behaviour towards children
Statistics
| Size |
Small |
| Type |
Terrier Group |
| Average adult weight |
9 kg |
| Average adult height |
28 cm |
| Average life span |
13 years |
| Breed family |
|
| Area of origin |
Scotland |
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