Let's talk Dandie Dinmont Terriers
You’d expect a dog with such a delightfully distinctive name to have a delightfully distinctive aesthetic—and this one-of-a-kind breed certainly doesn’t disappoint. They have a dandy-ish (pun intended) crown of soft white hair, velvety oversized ears and a long, low-to-the-ground body, all carried around purposefully on little legs. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier, which originally hails from Scotland, where the breed was developed to work on farms, also has a lively, exuberant personality and makes a wonderful family pet.Official name: Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Origins: Scotland
| Drooling tendencies |
|
Warm weather? |  |
| Shedding level | |
Suited to apartment living? |  |
| Energy level (high, low, medium) *: | Medium | Family pet? * |
|
| Compatibility with other pets | |
Can stay alone?* |  |
* We advise against leaving pets alone for long stretches. Companionship can prevent emotional distress and destructive behaviour. Speak to your veterinarian for recommendations.
Every pet is different, even within a breed; this snapshot of this breed’s specifics should be taken as an indication.
For a happy, healthy and well-behaved pet, we recommend educating and socialising your pet as well as covering their basic welfare, social and behavioural needs.
Pets should never be left unsupervised with a child.
All domestic pets are sociable and prefer company. However, they can be taught to cope with solitude from an early age. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or trainer to help you do this.
| Baby age: | Birth to 2 months |
| Puppy age: | 2 to 10 months |
| Adult age: | 10 months to 8 years |
| Mature age: | 8 to 12 years |
| Senior age: | From 12 years |
1/7
Origins of the breed
For many enthusiasts, the Labrador Retriever remains one of the most popular all-round dogs worldwide. It’s thought that Labrador Retrievers originated from the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, where fishermen used dogs of this appearance to retrieve fish. The breed as we know it today, however, was established by the British in the early 1800’s.
The Labrador Retriever Club was founded in 1916 and the first standard followed soon after, predominantly tailored to working Labrador Retrievers who found early fame, having been originally introduced to the U.K. in the late 1800’s by Col Peter Hawker and the Earl of Malmesbury.
2/7
2 facts about Dandie Dinmont Terriers
1. Friends in high places
The breed has the royal seal of approval. Even if Corgis and Labrador Retrievers are the breeds more readily associated with the British monarchy, Queen Victoria – a famous dog lover – also owned a Dandie Dinmont Terrier, while King Louis Philippe of France was also said to have owned two of them.
2. Fictional canine
Dandie Dinmont Terriers have the unique distinction of being the only dog breed named after a fictional character. In the novel Guy Mannering by Sir Walter Scott, published in 1815, Dandie Dinmont was a farmer, who owned a pack of these dogs. Scott, who owned some of the then-unnamed terriers himself, also coined the terms pepper and mustard for the dogs’ colouring, from the fictional dogs’ names.
History of the breed
While it didn’t get its name until the early 19th century, the Dandie Dimont breed goes back to the Scottish border country of around 1700, where small terriers were bred to work on farms and go after small prey. Their exact origins are unclear—some sources say they are a cross between Otterhounds and local terriers while others put Dachshunds in the mix (although that theory seems logistically complicated given that the Dachshund breed originated in Germany).
Whatever the ingredients, the recipe was a good one, resulting in a real canine one-off that grew in popularity throughout the 18th and 19th century. Some even swapped their humble origins for homes with the royalty and aristocracy of the time (one is depicted by the artist Gainsborough in a 1770 portrait of Henry Scott, third Duke of Buccleuch).
The Dandie Dinmont Terrier Club, established in 1875 and one of the world’s oldest breed clubs, is still in operation today, and Dandie Dinmont Terriers were recognised by the American Kennel Club in 1886. This friendly and playful breed may be rare, but is much-loved by those in the know.
4/7
From head to tail
Physical characteristics of Dandie Dinmont Terriers
1. Head
Fluffy white hair ‘crown’, pendulous ears with feathering.
2. Coat
Silky coat in pepper (black/grey) or mustard (reddish).
3. Body
Long, low-to-the-ground body with short legs.
5/7
Things to look out for
From specific breed traits to a general health overview, here are some interesting facts about your Dandie Dinmont Terrier
6/7
Caring for your Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Grooming, training and exercise tips
Dandie Dinmont Terriers don’t shed very much, but don’t be fooled, they still need a fair amount of grooming. Their coats should have dead hairs stripped out at least twice a year (you’ll either need to invest in a special stripping tool or get a professional groomer to do it). A daily brush will help avoid matted fur while a regular trim of the toenails and clean of their ears and teeth should complete your Dandie Dinmont’s grooming regime. Dandie Dinmont Terriers are hardy and lively but they are not the most energetic of the terrier breeds and will get on just fine with couple of decent daily walks as well as chances to chase a ball or play a game: These need to be in an enclosed space as that long-established prey drive is still strong. When it comes to training, patience and positivity are the order of the day. Dandie Dinmont Terriers form strong attachments with their humans and are eager to please, but they also have their independent (whisper it … headstrong) side, meaning early and consistent training is vital.
7/7
All about Dandie Dinmont Terriers
Although they make good watchdogs, Dandie Dinmont Terriers don’t bark an excessive amount—they save their communications for when they really need to alert you to something. That bark, when it comes, however, is surprisingly loud for such a small dog.
No—no dog breed is hypoallergenic and it is the dog’s dander, not their hair that triggers allergies. However, Dandie Dinmont Terriers don’t shed much so can be a wise choice for the vacuum-shy would-be dog owner.
Sources
1 - Veterinary Centers of America https://vcahospitals.com/
2 - Royal Canin Dog Encyclopaedia. Ed 2010 and 2020
3 - Banfield Pet Hospital https://www.banfield.com/
4 - Royal Canin BHN Product Book
5 - American Kennel Club https://www.akc.org/