Dandie Dinmont Terrier

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Dandie Dinmont Terrier

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Independent and self-confident as Dandie Dinmont Terriers are, some certain methods are of great importance to achieve a good training outcome. The Dandies don’t need that much exercise and hardly bark, which makes them the best apartment dweller among dogs. 

Other Names Dandie Hindlee, Terrier
Color Mustard, Pepper
Height Males: 8-11 inches. Females: 8-11 inches.
Weight Males: 18-24 pounds. Females: 18-24 pounds.
Life Span 12-15 years
Personality Independent, Smart, Proud
Exercise Regular Exercise
Origin
Popularity #174
Groom Needs Daily Brushing
Kids Friendly Yes with supervision
Dog Friendly No
Watch Dog
Family Dog
Litter Size 3 to 6 puppies

Dandie Dinmont Terrier Pictures

Dandie Dinmont Terrier Video

Introduction

The silky rough coat of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier forms a topknot on the dog’s head. The dog has a very long body, but short legs and is a hardy breed. Dandie Dinmont Terriers are docile and friendly, even towards children. They have difficulty climbing upstairs, due to their low-set and bulky stature. Other hallmarks of this breed include a large head with hanging ears and big round eyes. They come in pepper and mustard coat colors. They are intelligent dogs, originally bred to hunt underground, nowadays they are more of vigilant watchdogs.

The small-sized Dandie stands 8-12 inches from withers to paw and weighs 17-25 pounds at maturity. They are true members of the Terrier Group. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier has a lifespan of 12-15 years.

Living with Dandie Dinmont Terrier

It takes owners some time to groom the Dandie Dinmont Terriers. They have special and unique appearance. Though owning naturally good-looking appearance, they need some body-washing and hair-brushing. Bath them before owners brush the Dandies. A soft brush and a metal comb can be applicable to keep tangles and mats away from the Dandies’ coat. Hair-trimming is of great importance in keeping the Dandies clean and tidy. Owners can use a scissor to trim and shape their coat every 4 to 6 weeks. It’s a good choice for owners to begin to groom the Dandies from a young age, adding more fun and emotional connection between pet and owner. Puppy Dandies will gradually get used to the grooming process. And they will behave well and patiently afterward, without feeling any sense of resistance. The Dandies shed infrequently, owners hardly get troubled on cleaning clumps of hairs which come out from dogs. Apart from bathing and grooming, owners should trim the Dandies’ nails regularly. Have eyes and ears checked in case of any signs of irritations and infections. Never will an experienced owner clean dogs’ ear meatus with a cotton ball, adding more chances of infections and irritations. Though cotton ball do clean some wax build-up to some extent, owners should try to use ear cleaner recommended by vet, which is more gentle.

Dandie Dinmont Terriers are fond of exercising and playing round. However, it takes little efforts for owners to take them out for exercise. To make them grow up sane, owners will choose to offer them chances of all-out runnings. However, the Dandies don’t need that much amount of exercise. Once-a-week vigorous exercise should come with some interactive play, which is beneficial to both mental and physical health. Owners can choose to take them out for some brisk walks in an open and large area, adding their curiosity to the world. Moderate amount of exercise is applicable to him, bringing health and happiness at the same time. Their exercise requirements can be flexible, so apartment, condominium, and house in the suburb can be all suitable for the Dandies.

Dandie Dinmont Terriers are not critical about food, yet owners still need to feed the Dandies premium-quality dog food. First of all, owners should browse some basic dog food knowledge before the adoption of puppy. Never will a puppy buyer with scant knowledge of dog perform well in routine care for dogs. Owners should be aware that puppy, adult and senior dog should be fed on different amount of dog food. It’s the appropriate food amount that keep them stay away from bloat and overweight issues.  Proper feeding is of great importance. When it comes to food formula, owners should know that certain human food is dangerous to dogs. So an novice puppy buyer should known about these basic knowledge beforehand. Dandies should be fed on nutrient food with healthy food formula whether a commercially-manufactured food or a home-made meal. It’s important for owners to get aware of measures and symptoms of overweight. Dogs are prone to get overweight during training period, eating so many food which is given by owners as a treat. In that case, owners should concern about the calorie and weight changing situations. It’s the supervise behavior from owners that make dogs regain their health. Owners need to pay attention to dogs’ amount of food intake and calorie consumption. Take them out for some exercise regularly. 1 to 1.5 cups of daily dry is applicable to the Dandie. Last but not the least, fresh and clean water should be available.

Dandie Dinmont Terriers are prone to grow up with elongated body. In that case, the Dandies are likely to suffer from back problems. Their intervertebral discs which is in the dog’s back can slip out of place from time to time. So spinal disc herniation might occur among many elongated-body Dandies. Symptom varies from dogs to dogs. Anyhow, affected parts of dog’s back will be influenced a lot, resulting in paralysis with loss of bladder and bowel control in some cases. However, these are not universal issues among Dandies. The Dandies are also prone to suffer from hypothyroidism, primary closed angle glaucoma and Cushing’s syndrome, which is not ubiquitous as well. It’s advisable to have the Dandies a procedure which is called a gonioscopy. Advisable owners will take them to do tests at regular intervals. Slightly higher is the risk of canine cancer of the Dandies compared with other breeds. However, they can live up to 11–13 years if grow up sane.

Total Annual Cost: $2500

Cost is estimated for the first year and may vary depending on many factors, such as dog food, health care, leash, collar, licensing, possible fencing, crates, training and obedience classes, dog-walking, grooming, treats, toys, flea, tick, and heart-worm meds, microchips, etc.

Dandie Dinmont Terriers can be easy to get trained to some extent. Small as Dandies are, they are tough when faced with difficulties. It’s the self-preservation dignity that make them different from other dogs. The Dandies will be stubborn in some case, hardly will they surrender under the tempts of treats. So as you can see, it takes some patience and time for trainers to make them obedient. However, trainers will get good results as far as positive-reinforcement approach are carried out. As one of terrier breeds, they are independent and stubborn, so trainers should train them after knowing the traits of this breed and making some emotional connections. Energetic as the Dandies are, they will hardly get tired after a longlasting training period. The Dandies will be trained well as long as trainers add some happy ambience to training process. Dandies are adaptable, and they will be a quick-learner after getting used to the pleasing training process. 

History

Ancestors of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are believed to have originated around the border counties between England and Scotland. They have existed even before the 17th century when they were used primarily for hunting otters and badgers. Though the ancestors of this breed are unknown and undocumented, certain dogs belonging to one Alan (a native of Northumberland) of the early 18th century are believed to have played a role in the development of the modern Dandie Dinmont Terrier. Alan’s dogs may have been of the Border Terrier breed, but some theories claim that they were products of Skye Terrier and Scottish Terrier crosses. When Alan died, his dogs were inherited by his son, James. James’ son later developed this breed and is probably credited with the development of the modern Dandie Dinmont Terrier.

Over the years, interbreeding across several other breeds in different regions occurred, even involving the Dachshund. In 1875, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Club was founded, and a breed standard was written by William Wardlaw Reid, who was a founding member of the club. A club show was held for the breed in 1877. In the course of time, other breed clubs sprang up in Scotland, although the longest-lived was the Scottish Dandie Dinmont Terrier Society which later merged with the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Club in 1929. The influence of the breed soon reached America, and by 1888 it gained an AKC (American Kennel Club) recognition. The United Kennel Club followed suit in 1918. The world wars diminished the number of available Dandie dogs for breeding. In 2006, it was declared one of the vulnerable native breeds of the United Kingdom, by the Kennel Club.

Helpful Information

Breed Club: DANDIE DINMONT TERRIER CLUB OF AMERICA, INC.

Breed Club Link: http://ddtca.org/

Breed Club Rescue: DDTCA RESCUE

Breed Club Rescue Link: https://www.ddtca.org/rescue/