The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a small breed of dog in the terrier family. The breed has a very long body, short legs, and a distinctive "top-knot" of hair on the head. Dandie Dinmont's are between 8 and 11 inches tall at the top of the shoulders and can weigh between 18 and 24 pounds. The dogs are sturdily built with strong bone structure and ample muscular strength. The color is either peppered or mustard. Peppered ranges from dark bluish black to a light silvery gray, the topknot is a silvery white. Mustard can range from a reddish brown to a pale fawn, with the topknot a creamy white.
Temperament
The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a fun-loving companion dog. It is lively and friendly and gets along well with children of all ages and sizes if raised with them from a young age. They are protective of their home and males can be aggressive toward other male dogs, especially if they both live in the same home. This breed tends to be wary of strangers and other pets. It will only tolerate cats with which it has been raised with from puppyhood. Dandie Dinmont Terriers can be stubborn, but they are not difficult to train. Patience is a must when training this breed. Like all terriers, the Dandie Dinmont enjoys a good dig.
History and Origins
This short legged terrier was developed in the 17th century as an otter and badger specialist in the Cheviot and Teviotdale Hills in the border country of Scotland and England. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is named after Dandie Dinmont, a jovial farmer in Sir Walter Scott's novel Guy Mannering. Scott also gave the names to the breed's colours, pepper and mustard, which were adopted from the names of Dandie Dinmont's dogs. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is the only breed to be named after a character in fiction.
In the 1870s, exhibiting dogs became popular. The Kennel Club formed in 1873 and, just after this time, moves were made by Dandie enthusiasts to form a club. On November 17, 1875, at a meeting held at the Fleece Hotel in Selkirk on the Scottish Borders, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Club was formed. It is one of the oldest pedigree breed clubs in the world.
The first task was to draw up a breed standard and Mr William Wardlaw Reed, a founder member of the DDTC. worked on this, smoothing out the many differences. The following year at the Red Lion Hotel, Carlisle, the standard was agreed and adopted.
The breed was first registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1888.
Size & Weight
Height (M): 18 - 24 lb Height (M): 8 - 11"
Weight (F): 18 - 24 lb Height (F): 8 - 11"
Life expectancy: 11 - 13 years
Grooming Requirements
Although this breed sheds a minimal amount of hair, regular brushing is still recommended as well as professional grooming. The dead hair in their coat should be plucked out every few months.
Exercise Needs
Health Issues
Although this breed sheds a minimal amount of hair, regular brushing is still recommended as well as professional grooming. The dead hair in their coat should be plucked out every few months.
Trivia
The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is the only breed of dog named for a fictional character. In 1814, Sir Walter Scott published a novel, Guy Mannering. In the book there was a farmer named Dandie Dinmont who kept six Terriers of a type long known in the border country where England and Scotland meet. From that time to this, this breed has been known as Dandie Dinmont's Terrier.
