The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a small breed of dog that came from Scotland where it was mainly used to kill vermin and hunt such game as otters and badgers. The breed is known by several names including the Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Dandie Dinmont, Dandie and the Hindlee Terrier. Dandie Dinmonts have been in existence since the 1700s. They originated along the border between Scotland and England. It is believed that they were the result of crosses between Skye and Scotch Terriers. Although they were popular among gypsies, they were often used by local farmers to kill vermin. However, with their short legs and long bodies, they also excelled in hunting otters and badgers. The breed got its name from a fictional character named Dandie Dinmont in Walter Scott’s famous book “Guy Mannering.” In addition to hunting badgers and otters, the Dandie was also used occasionally to hunt rabbits, skunks, weasels and martens.
Like most terriers, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier has a long body and short legs. This dog breed was bred to hunt badgers and its body is built to roam rough terrain. Its coat is coarse on top and soft and long at the bottom. Its head is covered in soft, longer hair, which makes its head look slightly bigger than the rest of its body. Its coat, especially the longer coat, needs regular grooming. A full grown Dandie Dinmont can weigh anywhere between 18 and 24 pounds. This is a breed that has extremely short legs and a long body. It has a medium-length coat that is longer on the head, muzzle, ears and tail. Acceptable colors include pepper (silvery gray or bluish black) and mustard (pale fawn or reddish brown). The Dandie has small drop ears that hang down close to its cheeks. The nose should be black, and the eyes are typically a dark hazel color. Its tail is long and carried low. A groomed Dandie Dinmont has a pom pom-like tuft of hair on its head, a mustache and beard, and clean ears with tufts of hair on the tips.
Personality
Although named Dandie, this dog is an outdoorsy terrier, ready to trail, hunt and rumble. It is affectionate and loyal towards his family, but quite independent. It needs moderate daily exercise in the form of a fun game or a walk. It’s aloof with strangers and aggressive towards other dogs. Just like most other terriers, Dandie Dinmonts are active little dogs that love to play. While some Dandies can be stubborn, they are also highly intelligent and easy to train. They are great with kids; however, because of their hunting instincts, they may not interact well with cats, rabbits or rodents. Although Dandie Dinmonts are very affectionate with their human family members, they can be extremely reserved with strangers. If you choose to bring a Dandie Dinmont into your home, you will want to be sure to keep it busy. A bored Dandie can become quite destructive.
Breed Characteristics
| Family: | Terrier |
| Life Span: | 12-15 Years |
| Nicknames: | Dandie Dinmont, Dandie, Hindlee Terrier |
Dandie Dinmont Terrier Build Information
Like most terriers, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier has a long body and short legs. This dog breed was bred to hunt badgers and its body is built to roam rough terrain. Its coat is coarse on top and soft and long at the bottom. Its head is covered in soft, longer hair, which makes its head look slightly bigger than the rest of its body. Its coat, especially the longer coat, needs regular grooming. A full grown Dandie Dinmont can weigh anywhere between 18 and 24 pounds. This is a breed that has extremely short legs and a long body. It has a medium-length coat that is longer on the head, muzzle, ears and tail. Acceptable colors include pepper (silvery gray or bluish black) and mustard (pale fawn or reddish brown). The Dandie has small drop ears that hang down close to its cheeks. The nose should be black, and the eyes are typically a dark hazel color. Its tail is long and carried low. A groomed Dandie Dinmont has a pom pom-like tuft of hair on its head, a mustache and beard, and clean ears with tufts of hair on the tips.
| Size: | Small |
Behaviour and Personality
Although named Dandie, this dog is an outdoorsy terrier, ready to trail, hunt and rumble. It is affectionate and loyal towards his family, but quite independent. It needs moderate daily exercise in the form of a fun game or a walk. It’s aloof with strangers and aggressive towards other dogs. Just like most other terriers, Dandie Dinmonts are active little dogs that love to play. While some Dandies can be stubborn, they are also highly intelligent and easy to train. They are great with kids; however, because of their hunting instincts, they may not interact well with cats, rabbits or rodents. Although Dandie Dinmonts are very affectionate with their human family members, they can be extremely reserved with strangers. If you choose to bring a Dandie Dinmont into your home, you will want to be sure to keep it busy. A bored Dandie can become quite destructive.
| Activity Level: | Moderately active |
| Affection Level: | Moderate Affectionate |
| Kid Friendliness: | Friendly |
Appearance
Due to the nature of the Dandie’s coat, you will need to brush its hair daily to prevent mats from developing. You should only need to bathe your pet once or twice a month. Check its ears weekly for wax buildup, and if necessary, use the corner of a damp cloth to wipe out any debris. If your pet’s nails grow overly long, use a guillotine-style nail clipper to trim the tips. When trimming your Dandie’s nails, take care not to cut into the veins that are inside each nail. Finally, if you wish, you can shave your Dandie Dinmont to make its hair easier to manage.
| Shedding: | Moderate |
| Grooming: | Medium Maintenance |
Dandie Dinmont Terrier Common Health Conditions
A Dandie Dinmont Terrier that is in perfect health can live between 12 and 15 years. Nevertheless, just as with many other breeds today, there are some health issues that the Dandie may be prone to developing. You will find these issues listed here: Hypothyroidism, Epilepsy, Obesity, Glaucoma, Spinal Disc Herniation, Cushing’s Syndrome and Patellar Luxation. If you are looking for a hardy, active little dog that loves to play, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier may be the perfect pet for you! These little dogs get along great with kids making them terrific family pets. They are also ideal pets for individuals who are looking for a loving companion.
Dandie Dinmont Terrier Pet Insurance
When adding a dog or cat to your family you want to make sure your pet is happy, healthy and protected. During its lifetime your pet is exposed to many illnesses and diseases and some breeds are affected by a congenital disease which is a condition existing at birth. At these moments when your pet is ill or maybe needs surgery, you want to be protected for the unexpected and high veterinarian costs.
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Breed Talents and Facts
Dandie Dinmont Terriers adapt well to apartments so long as they receive proper exercise. Dandies can be prone to chasing such small critters as squirrels and rabbits. As such, you will want to make sure that you provide your pet with a secure yard. Dandie Dinmonts are the only dogs named after a fictional character.
| Training: | Easy |
