Dandie Dinmont Terrier Dog Breed Information

Group

Terriers

Weight

8.1-10.9 kg

Height

20.3-28 cm

Lifespan

12-15 years

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About the Dandie Dinmont Terrier

Reviewed by:

Dr. Dilber Hussain

Veterinarian

The Dandie Dinmont is a small terrier that originated along the border of England and Scotland. These purebred dogs have short bodies and soft, silky hair that has a characteristic topknot shape on its head.

This dog is the only dog breed to be named after a fictional character. They have a very calm demeanour, which makes them different to other terrier breeds. They are considered to be gentlemen of the terrier group.

Excelling both in dog sports and as calm companions, the Dandie Dinmont Terriers have won over the hearts of many people. Read on to find out more about these spunky terriers.

What is the history & origin of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier?

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier was bred in the 1600s along the English-Scottish border to hunt badgers, otters, small animals and pests. There are various stories of the exact origin of this breed, however, the most common origin story is that Scottish Terriers were bred with Skye Terriers, Otterhounds, or other rough-haired terriers.

This small dog lived for a few centuries before getting its unique name. The book Guy Mannering, published by Sir Walter Scott in 1814, featured a man named Dandie Dinmont and his two terrier dogs Pepper and Mustard. And so the Dandie Dinmont Terrier got its name.

After the publication of the book, these dogs increased in popularity throughout Europe. Queen Victoria and Kind Louis Philippe both had Dandie Dinmonts as companions.

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier Club was established in 1875 and became the third oldest breed club in the world. Today there are many Dandie breed clubs across the world, and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier was recognised by the prestigious American Kennel Club in 1886. And to this day, it remains the only breed that got its name from a character in a book.

What is a Dandie Dinmont Terrier Breed?

Unlike other dogs in the terrier group, the Dandie Dinmont has plenty of curves, possibly from historical breeding with a Dachshund. These dogs have short legs and long bodies, which made them well-suited to hunt badgers and otters.

Their coat is made up of two types of hair – two-thirds are hard, not wiry, hairs, and the other third is soft, short hair. The hair has a noticeable top knot of hair, which gives it a wise look but also makes the head appear larger than it actually is.

These terriers have two coat colours, mustard and pepper, named after the fictional character’s pets. Mustard can range from reddish-brown to pale fawn. Pepper colouring can be dark bluish-black or light silvery grey.

Who is a Dandie Dinmont Terrier Best For?

The Dandie Dinmont terrier breed is an apartment-friendly dog that copes well in small spaces. This breed makes a good companion for families, as they get on well with children. You will find your Dandie snuggling up to your children, or engaging in playful behaviour.

Dandie Dinmonts are very dog-friendly and do well with a doggie companion at home. They will need the training to be properly socialised with cats, as their prey instinct will kick in with small pets.

Dandie Dinmont Terrier Grooming & Shedding

Dandie Dinmonts have unique coats that require a fair amount of maintenance. A critical part of dog ownership is maintaining and grooming your dog.

The coat of Dandies will have to be clipped every four to six weeks to keep their characteristic breed-specific shape. They require frequent brushing (several times a week) to prevent mats and remove any dead hair.

These dogs’ coats have a low-shedding nature and barely shed any hair or dander at all.

Daily tooth brushing is encouraged to prevent dental disease, and you should check your dog’s ears frequently.

Do Dandie Dinmont Terriers bark a lot?

Unlike other dogs in the terrier group, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is quiet and rarely barks. They only bark when it is necessary, such as when they perceive a threat, are alarmed, or when bored.

What is the average weight & height of a Dandie Dinmont Terrier dog?

Like many terriers, the Dandie Dinmount is of small size:

Weight: 8.1 – 10.9 kg

Height: 20.3 – 28 cm

Are Dandie Dinmont Terriers easy to train?

Like other breeds in the terrier group, your Dandie Dinmont Terrier will require a lot of patience and consistency when being trained. They can easily become bored during training, so make sure it is fun but challenging for the dog.

You will have to be very hands-on when training your Dandie to keep it engaged. They may have to repeat commands a few times before understanding them. Consistency is key, and use positive reinforcement to reward good behaviour. Obedience training should be done from a young age.

These dogs are also great diggers, so you can expect plenty of holes in your garden. You can train against this behaviour, or assign a special area in the garden to your dog for digging.

Dandies are also great for dog sports as they love pleasing their owners and excel in agility competitions.

How do Dandie Dinmont Terriers behave? A look at their temperament and personality

The Dandie’s temperament can be described as calm, playful and independent. Although they are independent, they also show affection to their families.

These dogs are tough, and although they need plenty of exercise to get rid of that excess energy, they are also great house dogs and love snuggling on your lap. Although friendly, like most terriers they can be shy around strangers.

Does the Dandie Dinmont Terrier have any common health issues?

Dandie Dinmont Terriers are prone to hereditary diseases. Reputable breeders will screen the puppy’s parents for any genetic conditions. However, there are still some common health problems that Dandies can experience:

Intervertebral Disc Disease: This affects the disks in the spine. To avoid this disease, Dandies should avoid jumping from up high, and care should be taken when picking them up and carrying them around.
Cheyletiella Yasguri Mites: These mites cause dry, red and itchy skin.
Glaucoma: This condition can result in blindness due to pressure in the eyeball.

What is the lifespan of a Dandie Dinmont Terrier?

The average lifespan of this breed is 12 to 15 years.

How much does a Dandie Dinmont Terrier need to be fed?

Dog breeds of this size should be fed high-quality food. Dandies are prone to becoming overweight, so do not “free feed” by leaving food out, avoid feeding food from your place, and only provide quality treats sparingly.

The amount your Dandie should eat will depend on the age and activity level of your dog. In general, Dandie Dinmonts should eat 1 to 1 1/2 cups twice a day. You can also break this amount of food up into smaller portions fed multiple times a day.

Overfeeding, or feeding too many rich treats, can result in diabetes and heart problems. You should discuss your dog’s feeding with your vet.

How much can you expect to pay for a Dandie Dinmont Terrier in Australia?

You can expect to pay between AUD $2,000 and $2,300 for a Dandie Dinmont Terrier puppy.

Dandie Dinmont Terrier FAQs

Is a Dandie Dinmont Terrier ideal for a first-time dog owner?

Yes, Dandie Dinmont Terriers are good for first-time dog owners because they are so calm, affectionate, and relatively easy to train.

Do Dandie Dinmont Terriers suffer from separation anxiety?

No, Dandie Dinmonts are not known to suffer from separation anxiety. They do enjoy spending time with their family and other dogs, but they are fine by themselves for a few hours.

Of course, when they are still young, your puppy may whine and cry if they are left by themselves.

Are Dandie Dinmont Terrier hypoallergenic dogs?

Yes, Dandie Dinmonts are hypoallergenic.

These dogs barely shed any hair or dander, making them ideal pets for people suffering from allergies. They also do not drool – spit can also trigger allergies in people – and any licking behaviour can be trained against.

Does a Dandie Dinmont Terrier require professional grooming?

The coat of your Dandie Dinmont Terrier requires moderate amounts of maintenance. Although it is not essential to take your Dandie to a professional groomer, if you are not comfortable with clippers then it is best to take your dog to a groomer. Dandies also require nail cutting if it is not worn down naturally, which professional groomers can help you with.

If your Dandie has mats or tangles, then your groomer can help you get rid of these by carefully brushing them out or removing them with clippers.

So although a Dandie Dinmont Terrier does not require professional grooming, they would benefit from it.