Dandie Dinmont Terrier

Although once popular as a badger and fox hunter, the Dandie Dinmont is now kept mainly as a household pet: indeed, they fare better indoors as a single pet than living with their fellows in kennels. They do, howevec tend to be a little suspicious of strangers, giving all their devotion to their owner. They are excellent guard dogs with a bark that should deter any burglar.

Origin and history

Mqst Dandies can be traced back to the late 1700s to an individual named Piper Allan. Something of a character of his day, Allan had two Dandie Dinmonts called 'Charlie' and 'Peachem'. Also well known is James Davidson, who was renowned for his 'pepper and mustard' terriers, so called because of their colour. It was from Davidson that Sir Walter Scott acquired his dogs, and indeed it was from a character in his novel Guy Mannering that the breed received its name.

Dandie Dinmont Terrier Pupies

Good points

• Courageous
• Intelligent
• Keen sense of humour
• Excellent watchdog

Take heed

• Tends to be a one-person dog whose friendship and respect must be earned

Size of parents

The height should be 8-11in (20-28cm) at the top of the shoulder. Length from top of shoulder to root of tail should be not more than twice the dog's height, but preferably 1-2in (2.5-5cm) less. The ideal weight for a dog in good working condition is as near 181b (8.2kg) as possible.

Exercise

The Dandie Dinmont is an adaptable dog and will be happy whether running in the fields or enjoying the role of an old person's pet. It would, however, be unfair to keep this active, inquisitive breed in a home without a garden.

Information About Dandie Dinmont Terrier

Colour

The colours are pepper or mustard. The peppers range from a dark bluish black to a light silvery grey, the intermediate shades being preferred; the body colour comes well down the shoulder and hips, gradually merging into the leg colour The mustards vary from reddish brown to pale fawn, the head being creamy white, the legs and feet of a shade darker than the head. The claws are dark, as in other colours. Nearly all Dandie Dinmont Terriers have some white on the chest, and some have white claws. White feet are objectionable.

Head and skull

The head should be strongly made and large but not out of proportion to the dog's size; the muscles show extraordinary development, especially the maxillary. Skull broad between the ears, getting gradually less towards the eye, and measuring about the same from the inner corner of the eye to the back of the skull as it does from ear to ear. The forehead should be well domed. The head is covered with very soft silky hair, which should not be confined to a mere topknot; the lighter in colour and silkier it is the better. The nose is black.

Tail

Rather short, say 8-10in (20-25cm), and covered on the upper side with wiry hair of a darker colour than that of the body, the hair on the under side being lighter in colour and not so wiry with a nice feather about 2in (5cm) long, getting shorter as it nears the tip.

Feet

Flat feet are objectionable. The whole claws should be dark, but the claws of all vary in shade according to the colour of the dog's body The feet of a pepper dog should be tan, varying according to the body colour from a rich tan to a pale fawn; those of a mustard dog are a darker shade than its head. Hindfeet should be much smaller than forefeet.

Dandie Dinmont Terrier Feeding & Grooming

Grooming

Grooming is not a difficult task, the only equipment needed being a stiff brush and comb. Old hairs should be removed with finger and thumb, allowing the under-coat to come through. Incidentally, don't use a trimming knife because this will ruin the coat. Brush frequently and the Dandie Dinmont should always look immaculate.

Feeding

Recommended would be 6-130z (170-369g) of a branded, meaty product with biscuit added in equal part by volume, or 3/4-1112 cupfuls of a dry, complete food, mixed in the proportion of 1 cup of feed to 112 cup of hot or cold water.

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