The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is one of the oldest and most unique terrier breeds. It is the only dog breed in the world named after the fictional character, Scottish hunter Dandy Dinmont, from Sir Walter Scott's 1814 novel Guy Mannering. Considered a rare breed, regularly ranking low on registration lists in both the United States and the United Kingdom.
Description and features
It is impossible to confuse the hunting terrier with other breeds. The short dogs have a characteristic long body, short legs, and an expressive cap on the head. The uniqueness of the breed is preserved in strict accordance with the standard:
- height 22-28 cm;
- weight 8-11 kg;
- large round head;
- hanging ears pressed to the cheekbones;
- short legs, strong, muscular;
- developed chest;
- elongated flexible body;
- small thick tail;
- hanging thick fur.
Minimum dimensions are valued to a greater extent. The kind, expressive eyes of the shaggy pet are slightly protruding and invariably dark. Nose is black. On the face, like many terriers, there is a mustache and beard. Long hair, up to 5-6 cm, hanging on the legs, belly, tail, quite hard. Dense undercoat.
Soft hair adorns the head in the form of a characteristic cap of cream color, sometimes whitish. It is interesting that among terriers, the Dandie Dinmont has a special exterior - it does not have straight lines, which is not typical for the family. The small size of the pet allows you to keep the terrier in an apartment without any problems.
But the active nature of dogs needs exercise and physical activity, so they are suitable for easy-going people. It is impossible to refuse the dandy dinmont a walk. The kindest eyes, a wagging tail and the desire to lick the owner as a sign of gratitude lift the mood in any weather.
Exterior
The height at the withers of the breed reaches 29 cm, weight – up to 10 kg. They are distinguished by a large head with a skull tapering towards the eyes, bulging eyes, and a triangular nose of a dark shade. Scissor bite with developed jaws and disproportionately large canines. The closing of the mouth should be very tight. The eyes are deep-set, large, widely spaced. The most common shade is nut. The ears are set low and should hang down and lie close to the cheeks. The ears should be colored the same as the body. The shape of the chest is wide, with round ribs. The tail is curved and short. Tail curvature is unacceptable. The front legs are shorter than the hind legs, the legs are strong. There are two traditional colors: mustard and pepper. The gait is smooth and easy. The undercoat is softer than the fur.
Kinds
, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier breed exists in two color options:
- pepper;
- mustard
Pepper color includes streaks from black to deep gray and silver tones. The thin hair on the head is invariably light, almost white. The mustard range includes shades from reddish to chocolate. The “cap” is light cream.
Pepper Dandy Terrier
Both species are distinguished by a lighter color of their paws, which is a tone different from the main color of the coat. But completely white limbs are a serious drawback. According to the standard, only small light marks on the chest and paws are allowed.
Appearance
According to the standard, dogs of this breed should be no higher than 29 cm at the withers and weigh up to 10 kg. Their head is large with a convex forehead. The skull visually tapers towards the eyes. The nose is black.
Pets have a scissor bite. The jaws are well developed and strong, closing tightly. The canines are large for such a small dog.
The eyes are wide apart. They are large and convex. Most often nutty.
The ears are low set and hang down freely, lying close to the cheeks. Their color is no different from the pigmentation of the body.
The dogs' chest is developed and wide. The ribs have a rounded shape. If you follow the line of the back, it will go down.
Pets have a short tail. It bends in an arc, but this does not mean that the vertebrae are curved.
The legs are short and strong. The shoulder blades are set obliquely. The hips have well-developed muscles and the hind legs are higher than the front legs. Dogs of this breed move gracefully and smoothly.
The outer coat of pets is hard, and the undercoat is soft. Pepper or mustard colors.
History of the breed
The Dandie Dinmont breed has been reliably known since the 16th century. The ancestors of terriers were ancient Scottish relatives. At first, the breed was bred by gypsies and farmers in Scotland. They needed hunting dogs to kill rodents, especially rats.
Earth dogs, as they were called, did not allow predatory animals into the territory that ravaged people's farms and coped with attacks from skunks and martens. The agile dogs successfully cleared the area of pests.
Later, experienced breeders took up breeding. The improvement of terriers was manifested in the ability to hunt, thanks to their small size, badgers, otters, and other inhabitants of deep holes. Scottish breeders completed work on the breed in the 18th century.
Dandie Dinmont mustard color
Hunting dogs were distinguished by their lightning-fast reaction, excellent sense of smell, courage, and speed. When hunting, they weren’t even afraid of bears. The attractive appearance and obedient nature of the dogs attracted the attention of important people. Dogs began to be taken into care in rich houses.
The breed gained great popularity after the publication of Walter Scott's novel Guy Mannering. The main character Dandy Dinmont owns the “immortal six” terriers, of which he is immensely proud. The breed was named in his honor. Modern dogs have become more decorative, although they have not forgotten how to clear the territory of rodents.
Price review
A distinctive feature of the breed is the change in color of the puppy as it grows. As a rule, offspring are born in darker colors. Their color brightens by 8 months and only at the age of 3 years the color palette is fully formed and consolidated. Therefore, do not panic if the breeder offers you puppies that are not mustard color, which is the standard color.
The breed is not common in our country, but official nurseries are represented in large cities. The cost of a puppy depends on the availability of documents and the merits of its parents at exhibitions. The average price varies between 1100-1800 dollars.
Character
The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is full of inexhaustible love of life, energy, and kindness. In a family, pets communicate with everyone, their intelligence allows them to get along with children and faithfully serve adults. The little dog shows off its owner and is ready to carry out any commands from the household in his presence. But he tends to ignore family members if the owner is not at home.
The animal is wary of strangers and first greets them with barking. If strangers do not pose a threat, the terrier changes his attitude towards them and is ready to communicate and play together. The little pet has a strong character and an innate sense of self-esteem.
The terrier does not like to conflict, but in case of danger he is ready to rush to the defense of his owner and will turn into a fearless fury. The size of the enemy will not stop the brave fighter. The Dandie Dinmont treats pets very calmly if they grew up together.
He is jealous of new pets in the house. It is better not to leave your dog with rodents (decorative rats, hamsters, squirrels). The hunting instinct may be stronger than parenting skills. The disadvantages of the breed include the stubbornness of the pets.
In training, the approach should be firm, confident, without rudeness or violence. Constant exercise in a playful way gives excellent results. Dandy Dinmont appreciates kind treatment and pays with loyalty and endless love.
Dioressence for Pradis
Pedigree Achievements
| date | Exhibition / Judge | Ratings |
| 12.10.2018 | EDS - 2022 Hans-Erhard Gruttner | EX |
| 25.08.2018 | “Gospodin Velikiy Novgorod - 2018” N. Kharatishvili | CW, CAC, CACIB, Ch.RKF |
| 05.05.2018 | "Eurasia-2018" Kari Jarvinen | CW, CAC, CACIB, Ch.RKF, Ch.Eurasia, BOS |
| 16.07.2017 | CC "A'Elita" I. Solovyova | CW, CAC, BOS, BOB, RFSS CC, BIG3 - 2 |
| 16.07.2017 | CC "Avers" N. Borodajenko | CW, CAC, BOS, BOB, CHF OANKOO, ChRKF, BIG3 - 3 |
| 09.07.2017 | MOO KSS M. Ostrovskaya | CW, CAC, BOS, BOB, RFSS Black Federation, BIG3 - 2 |
| 04.06.2017 | TsMOX "Ilyinka" M. Patrina | CW, CAC, BOS, BOB, OANKOO CC, BIG3 - 1, BIS - 5 |
| 17.03.2017 | “Eurasia-2017” Viva Maria Soleckyj-Szpunar | Ex |
| 12.02.2017 | OANKOO KLZ "FAUNA" V. Alexandrov | CW, JCAC, Best Junior, BOB |
| 12.02.2017 | ROO CC "President" Mike Macbeth | CW, JCAC, Best Junior, BOB, BOB |
| 29.01.2017 | ROO "Idol" M. Ostrovskaya | CW, JCAC, Best Junior, BOB, BIG3 – 2 |
| 04.12.2016 | CLS "Treasure Island" James Byrnes | CW, JCAC, Best Junior, BOB |
Nutrition
Breeders recommend adhering to a balanced diet and ready-made dry food. The right choice must be made from the premium series or the holistic food group. It is important to take into account the weight, age of the pet, health characteristics, and activity of the animal. When feeding with prepared food, a prerequisite is the availability of fresh water.
Not all dog owners choose specialized food; many prefer natural food. The diet should include boiled meat, vegetables, cottage cheese, and mineral supplements. Dogs tend to overeat, so it is important to monitor portion sizes and stop begging.
Dogs of this breed are very active and love to run in nature.
It is recommended to feed adult dogs twice a day. Sweets, smoked foods, legumes, spices, and flour products should be excluded from the diet. You should not give tubular bones, which lead to digestive problems and injuries.
Feeding
Due to its small size, the Dinmont does not need much food to stay alert and energetic. It can be fed with both specialized dog food and natural food.
Ready-made food should be of premium class; it is precisely such food that contains a sufficient amount of nutrients, vitamins and minerals for the dog. Also, in premium feeds the meat content is an order of magnitude higher than in regular ones, but the price is appropriate.
With natural feeding, the dog's diet should contain fresh meat, small quantities of cereals, vegetables, and fermented milk products such as cottage cheese. Dog food is usually boiled without adding salt.
Under no circumstances should you feed your dog from your table. Table salt has a detrimental effect on the animal's body. You cannot give your terrier flour, sweets, or fried foods. Make sure that the dog does not come across tubular bones.
Reproduction and lifespan
Dandy terriers are bred professionally by breeders. In our country, with a small number of dogs of this breed, a few nurseries can boast that they have Dandie Dinmont Terrier puppies . The babies that are born are immediately colored pepper or mustard.
Puppies acquire the appearance of a real purebred terrier with a “cap” only by the age of two. The lifespan of Dandie Dinmont Terriers is 12-15 years. Centuries-old selection has endowed the dogs with good health.
Mom with a Dandie Dinmont Terrier puppy
Dog owners need to support the natural resource with preventive measures and treatment against parasites. Lifespan depends on the development of diseases characteristic of dandy terriers due to the characteristics of their build:
- problems with the stomach, digestion;
- diseases of the spine.
Regular visits to the veterinarian will help avoid the premature development of pathologies.
Health
A relatively healthy breed with an average lifespan of 11 to 13 years. There are very few breeders of this dog, and almost all of them are dedicated to allowing only the healthiest animals to breed.
Additionally, the breed has always been rare and has not been subject to the questionable mass breeding practices that have plagued some breeds. However, the small population also makes it very difficult to accurately assess what dangers a breed is exposed to, since even a few cases of the disease will appear to be statistically anomalous in the general population.
One of the problems this breed most often suffers from is back problems. A long back is vulnerable to slipped discs, fractures, chronic pain and many other problems. Due to the breed's elongated body, it can have back problems, especially with the intervertebral discs in the dog's back.
These discs can sometimes slip out of place, leading to a herniated disc. Symptoms depend on what part of the dog's back is affected; these may include paralysis with loss of bladder and bowel control in the worst cases.
It is important to be careful when playing with these dogs to prevent injury. It is extremely important to carefully monitor the diet and weight of these dogs, as overweight dogs are significantly more likely to develop back problems than dogs of a healthy weight.
Care and maintenance
Sociable pets are usually kept in a house or apartment. Separate living in an enclosure is not recommended, since constant contact with people is important for terriers. The dog takes up very little space. Accustoming to a bed must be done from the first days, otherwise the pet will sleep on the bed with the owner.
The dog’s activity should be directed in the right direction. The pet should have toys so it can occupy itself while the owner is away. Joint communication on walks and in daily games for an hour is quite enough to maintain the physical shape of a dandy terrier.
Keeping a dog requires following the rules of care:
- daily combing of wool with a special brush;
- regular examination of ears and eyes;
- weekly teeth cleaning.
Young dogs rarely develop dental disease, but as dogs age, tartar deposits begin to cause problems.
The long-haired Dandy will need to be bathed approximately once every 10 days with shampoo and conditioner to detangle. The tangles need to be untangled or carefully cut off. The wool is usually trimmed with scissors.
A peculiarity of pets is profuse lacrimation. You may notice that the Dandie Dinmont Terrier in the photo often has brown tear tracts. Traces can be removed with special bleaching agents, hydrogen peroxide, and the eyes can be wiped daily.
It is important to keep your ears dry. Hair removal and drying powder help eliminate possible problems. Due to poor ventilation of the ear openings, there is a predisposition to otitis media. To go out into the world, owners will have to periodically contact hairdressers for a radical haircut for their pet.
How to choose a puppy
When choosing a puppy, it is extremely important to require documentary evidence of good health, harmoniously developed anatomical physique and purity of the breed. It is allowed to take an adult. A male dog must have two healthy testicles
Breed standards:
- The large and elaborate head corresponds to the size of the dog, and the maxillary muscles are especially developed.
- The skull is wide; The length of the skull and the width between the ears are the same.
- The forehead is convex; the head is covered with very soft hair.
- The nose is black.
- The cheekbones gradually narrow at the muzzle.
- Strong jaws with a perfect, correct scissor bite.
- Healthy teeth; The canines are quite large for this breed.
- The eyes are dark reddish brown; set low; bright, large, rounded, but not convex.
- Drop ears are set back, hanging close to the cheekbones, with very slight protrusion at the base.
- Well developed, strong and very muscular neck; fits well in the shoulders.
- The body is long, flexible, strong.
- The back is quite low at the shoulders with a slight arch.
- The ribs are barrel-shaped, well developed.
- The forelimbs have well-developed muscles and are set wide apart.
- The shoulders are well set without being heavy.
- The front legs are directed forward or slightly turned out in the stance.
- The hind legs are longer than the front legs; rounded, with well-developed pads.
- The claws are dark in color, the tone of the color depends on the color of the body.
Price
The cost of a purebred puppy with a good pedigree cannot be low. The factor of the small number of puppies also plays a big role in determining the price. There are only a few dozen rare dogs in Russia, most of which were brought from Western nurseries.
It is better to buy a Dandie Dinmont Terrier in its historical homeland, Scotland, including transport services in the costs. Puppies look different from adult dogs, so buying from a random place can lead to deep disappointment.
The price of a Dandie Dinmont Terrier varies between $1200-1500. Before purchasing, you need to see the puppy and its parents. At 2 months, breeders usually prepare documents and give the necessary vaccinations. The puppy should have a proportional build, thick coat, and good weight.
Slight tearing is allowed due to the special structure of the channels. Particular attention is paid to the absence of signs of congenital glaucoma and epilepsy. The price of a puppy is influenced by the purpose of the purchase and the merits of the parents. But no one can guarantee that the puppies of the show winners will also become the best.
For home keeping, without plans to participate in shows, the pet class Dandie Dinmont Terrier . The special characteristics of the animal, which do not allow it to fully comply with the standard, will not interfere with a full life and active communication with people.
There are defects that limit puppies from having offspring in the future. Breeders must warn the buyer what is causing the price reduction, and whether any feature or pathology of the puppy threatens the health.
How much does a puppy cost?
Buying a puppy is a serious and responsible matter.
The first thing it is recommended to pay attention to is the reputation of the breeder and his attitude towards the animal. He must also provide all documents for the dog, including a vaccination card.
The most popular decorative dogs: dachshund, poodle, shih tzu, miniature schnauzer, chihuahua, spitz, pug, boston terrier and maltese.
When choosing puppies, experts recommend giving priority to the smallest dogs. When purchasing animals of this breed, you should adhere to the rule: the smaller the better.
Did you know? The Yorkshire Terrier Sylvia is recognized as the smallest dog in history. She died in 1945 at the age of 2 years, her height at the withers was 6.3 cm, length from tip of nose to base of tail 9.5 cm and weight 113 g.
Interesting Facts
In the history of the breed, small dogs have always had fans among different segments of the population. It is known that Queen Victoria adored the Dandie Dinmont. Royalty also acquired hunting terriers. Images of beloved dogs ended up in the portraits of many nobles.
This dog breed loves water.
The Duke of Northumberland promised his manager a huge reward or a large farm for his “earth dog.” The manager refused to give the dog away, saying that he could not cope with the gift without the help of his faithful dog. Love for small shaggy creatures does not change over time, just as devotion, trust, and friendship do not depreciate.
Temperament
The breed is hardy but usually friendly and suitable for older children. He will make both a good companion and a guard dog, but is one of the most docile terrier breeds; they are usually quite undemanding towards their owners. However, they are known for their ability to dig large holes in a short period of time. They can be trained to be good with cats, but should not be trusted with smaller animals such as hamsters or rats. They are described as "very wild animals" as they tend to challenge other animals, including foxes and in some cases other dogs.
Choosing a nickname
Nicknames should be given to your pet, of course, based on personal preferences. However, before this, you should take a closer look at the pet; perhaps characteristic features in appearance can help with this problem, or the animal has unusual habits and habits. Literature lovers can choose the name of a character from their favorite book as a dog name.
Thanks to numerous advantages, dandies still remain in demand
A-Mottomo Utsukushi
Pedigree Achievements
| date | Exhibition / Judge | Ratings |
| 13.06.2021 | “Memorial of A.P. Mazower 2020” D. Paunovic | ex. 1, CW, BOB, KChP, ChRKF, CAC, CACIB, BOB, Moscow Champion 2020 |
| 27.10.2020 | MCOO "Professional" Y. Gavrilova | exc1, BOS, CW, CAC, BOB, BIG3 -1 |
| 21.10.2020 | RFOS RCOO "Russian Standard" G. Korobkova | exc1, BOS, CCP, CW, CAC, BOS |
| 21.10.2020 | RFOS RCOO "Russian Standard" N. Kashirin | exc1, BOS, CCP, CW, CAC, BOS |
| 25.05.2019 | IDS “Mazover Memorial 2019” CACIB FCI R. Kanas | BOB, Moscow Winner, CACIB, CAC, Ch. RKF |
| 24.02.2019 | IDS "RKF CUP" CACIB FCI K. Mustonen | CACIB, CAC, Ch. RKF, BOS, EX |
| 17.02.2019 | ChRKF "Memorial of Yuri Nikulin" D. Trofimov | CW, JCAC, Best Junior, YuChRKF, BOB |
| 12.10.2018 | EDS - 2022 Hans-Erhard Gruttner | EX 2 |
| 16.09.2018 | TsMOX "Ilyinka" Sh. Abrakimov | CW, JCAC, Best Junior, BOB |
| 25.08.2018 | “Gospodin Velikiy Novgorod - 2018” N. Kharatishvili | CW, JCAC, BOB, Best Junior |
| 06.05.2018 | "Eurasia-2018" Monigue Van Brempt | Veri Promising, Best Baby |
Sunny Magic Shadberry
Pedigree Achievements
| date | Exhibition / Judge | Ratings |
| 12.06.2021 | “Memorial of A.P. Mazower 2021” D. Mamontov | ex. 1, CW, BOB, KChP, ChRKF, CAC, CACIB, BOB, Moscow Champion 2021, Crafts Qualifications |
| 24.04.2021 | CC "Best Show Dog" O. Grin | ex1, CW, CAC, BOB, BIG3 - 3 |
| 24.04.2021 | ROO KK "Karlin" L. Krakovskaya | ex 1, CW, CAC, BOB, BIG3 - 1 |
| 27.10.2020 | MCOO "Professional" Y. Gavrilova | excellent, CW, RCAC |
| 21.10.2020 | RFOS RCOO "Russian Standard" G. Korobkova | exc1, Best Junior, Junior Champion, CW, JCAC |
| 21.10.2020 | RFOS RCOO "Russian Standard" N. Kashirin | exc1, Best Junior, Junior Champion, CW, JCAC |
| 11.07.2020 | "Monarch" CAC Abrakimov Sh. | CW, JCAC, BOB, BIG3 - 3, BIJ - 2! |
