Dandie Dinmont Terrier - Dog Breed Profile

Author: Dooziedog.com

Key Facts:

Size: Small

Height: 20 - 28 cm (8 - 11 inches)

Weight: About 8 kg (18 lb)

Life Span: 15 years

Grooming: Medium

Exercise: Reasonable

Feeding: Small

Temperament: Affectionate & independent

Country of Origin: Scotland

AKC Group: Terrier

Temperament:

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is determined, courageous, intelligent and independent. Dandie Dinmonts demand attention and are very affectionate with their family. They are good with children, strangers and usually leave other dogs alone. Dandie Dinmont Terriers are very sociable yet calm dogs and show utter devotion to their owner.

Grooming:

Dandie Dinmont Terriers need regular brushing and the coat will need professional stripping (plucking out the dead hairs) once or twice per year. The owner can learn to do the stripping themselves if they don't want the extra expense of professional grooming.

Exercise:

These dogs look as though they wouldn't do anything in a hurry, but they can be quickly aroused if they spot anything they can chase. Dandie Dinmonts tend to adapt themselves to the family activities for their exercise needs.

Feeding:

Dandie Dinmont Terriers are not big eaters and only need small sized meals.

History:

The origins of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is somewhat obscure, but it is believed that they are the result of cross-breeding between the small, rough coated terriers and the Otter Hounds. In 1700 a distinctive type of terrier was found in the Cheviot Hills on the English/Scottish border. It wasn't until 1814 that they rose in popularity with the publication of Sir Walter Scott's novel Guy Mannering. This book had a character named Dandie Dinmont who owned 6 of these charming little dogs. It was from this fictitious character that the breed acquired its name.

Physical Characteristics:

General Appearance: Low-slung, hardy with a soulful expression.

Color: Pepper or mustard. Pepper is dark bluish black to light silver grey. And mustard is reddish brown to pale fawn.

Coat: The outercoat is hard but not wiry. The undercoat is soft and linty.

Tail: Reasonably short, covered with stiff hair and with feathering of about 5cm.

Ears: Pendant shaped, hanging against the cheek, set low and with slight feathering.

Body: The body is long, strong and flexible. The chest comes down below the elbows and the topline curves up over the rump and then down to the low set tail.

Additional Comments:

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is more docile than other terriers, but it does have a surprising deep and loud bark.

About the author: This article provided courtesy of http://www.dooziedog.com/dog_breeds/dandie_dinmont_terrier/