Dandie Dinmont Terrier Breed Description

Introduction

Despite questions about their origin, these dogs do not have the typical "take no prisoners alive" Terrier mentality. They are a remarkably docile breed, affectionate and fun loving. These dogs are lively, plucky, determined and willful. While they are not difficult to train, they can be very stubborn. They are good with children when raised with them from puppyhood and make good companions and watchdogs. Coat colors are salt & pepper or mustard. Dandies should be brushed regularly with the dead hairs plucked out once or twice a year. They weigh 18 to 24 lbs. and stand 8-11" at the shoulders.

History

During Sir Walter Scott's trip to the Teviotdale Hills (in the southern Uplands of Scotland) he got acquainted with the locally bred terriers, small dogs with dense coats, large dark eyes and comical scimitar tails. He ascribed six of them (and named each) to one of the characters in his book "Guy Mannering" (1814). The character was a farmer called Dandie Dinmont. The dogs come in two colors - a black white blend called pepper and a beige known as mustard. In Scott's book, Dinmont's dogs were called Auld Mustard, Auld Pepper, Young Mustard, Young Pepper, Little Mustard and Little Pepper. The book was an immediate best seller; the farmer and his dogs a beloved part of it and it immediately entered the national lingo, coining the name Dandie Dinmont's Terriers for these small dogs with big personalities. And while few today have ever heard of the book (and might not even know about Sir Walter Scott), the name has never changed.

The muscular neck is a source of strength; both top and under lines are curved, producing the lazy -s- shape. Forelegs are sturdy and wide-set; hind legs are a little longer and set slightly less wide. Round feet are cushioned to withstand going to ground. Nails are strong and dark, although white is permissible.

Description

Dandie Dinmonts are small dogs with long curved bodies, bred to pursue burrowing vermin in Scotland's hill country. Their length, measured from shoulder tops to tail root, is roughly twice their height (minus an inch or two). Large dark eyes with equally dark rims are the head's most notable feature: round and bright with an expressive fullness, they seem to project every thought. No matter what color the dog is, the eyes are a deep hazel. Lips and nose are dark as well, and so is the inside of the mouth. Ears hang close to the cheek and are set back on the head. Three to four inches long, they taper along the back edge until they come almost to a point. There is an obvious stop, and a domed forehead where the muscles are evident. The muzzle is deep; the AKC Standard notes that the proportions are "a ration of three (muzzle) to five (skull)". Tight scissors bite highlights strong teeth, and the canines mesh so completely that the dog can hold on tenaciously.

Although Dandie Dinmont Terriers only come in two colors, there is some range in each. Mustards can be anywhere from pale fawn to reddish brown. They have creamy white ear feathers and top knots. The palest peppers are light silver gray while the dark can be an almost blue black. On them, the hair on the legs and feet is tan, which can vary from deep and rich to pale fawn. Body color extends over the shoulders and the hips, where it begins to blend into the leg color.

Whether the dog is mustard or peppers in color, these dogs have a unique coat that is a mix of hard and soft hair such that the combination produces a 'crisp' texture over the body. Elsewhere, the texture is different. The silky hair that covers their heads also covers the tops of the ears and frames their eyes. The tips of the ears have a feathering of hair that creates the impression of a pointed end. Soft hairs with the texture of velvet cover the body of the ears. Muzzle hair is the same as foreleg feathers, which are about two inches long. Hind legs sport the same feather, a bit shorter. The hair on the upper side of the scimitar tail is even crisper than that of the body. The underside of the tail begins with soft feathers about two inches long, which shorten as they near the tip. The tail's top side is darker in color than the body color; the underside is lighter, matching the legs.

Temperament

Many describe the Dandie Dinmont as the non-terrier Terrier because they have far less aggressive personalities than others in this Group. Yet they do have the stereotypical independence of nature associated with Terriers. As a rule, Dinmonts don't turn every request into a challenge as some Terriers do. They are loving and reserved, preferring to be at the side (or in the lap) of a loved one rather than performing for a party. However, they share the Terrier's believe in fair treatment. Train and discipline with firmness and love and you'll have a wonderful pet.

Health and Care

Recommended grooming for the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is to have the dog plucked once or twice a year to remove dead hairs and to regularly brush in the interim between those pluckings.

Colors

Pups either come in a black and silver coat (pepper) that resembles a schnauzer or a reddish yellow colour that is usually called "mustard" though not often as yellow as the name might imply.

Living Area

Since Dandie Dinmont terriers are so small, they are very well-suited to apartment living. They are very likely to consider themselves one of the "pack" and are very likely to get up on furniture just as you might. Thankfully they don't shed, so there will be little trace of the transgression other than a nice warm patch on the chair they just vacated when you arrive home. Be sure they have step stools so they don't injure their long backs while jumping down.Their coats are a bit fussy and may become hopelessly matted on the head and haunches when running around in rural settings unless they'e groomed on a daily basis. On the other hand, they are ideally suited to running around in the woods all day after quarry, so any Dandie with such wide-ranging living quarters will surely be a tired and happy dog that will have no problem with a brushing whatsoever. Many people who live in such areas keep their dogs' hair cut short.

Recognized By

CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR

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