Dandie Dinmont Terrier

AKC Group: Terrier

Club: Dandie Dinmont Terrier Club of America, Inc.

Corresponding Secretary : Gail Isner
Address: 151 Junaluska Dr, Woodstock, GA , 30188-3135
Website: clubs.akc.org/ddtca/index.html
Club Type: Specialty

General Apperance:

Originally bred to go to ground, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a long, low-stationed working terrier with a curved outline. The distinctive head with silken topknot is large but in proportion to the size of the dog. The dark eyes are large and round with a soft, wise expression. The sturdy, flexible body and scimitar shaped tail are covered with a rather crisp double coat, either mustard or pepper in color.

Size:

Height is from 8 to 11 inches at the top of the shoulders. Length from top of shoulders to root of tail is one to two inches less than twice the height. For a dog in good working condition, the preferred weight is from 18 to 24 pounds. Sturdily built with ample bone and well developed muscle, but without coarseness. The overall balance is more important than any single specification.

Coat:

This is a very important point: The hair should be about two inches long; the body coat is a mixture of about 2/3 hardish hair with about 1/3 soft hair, giving a sort of crisp texture. The hard is not wiry. The body coat is shortened by plucking. The coat is termed pily or pencilled, the effect of the natural intermingling of the two types of hair. The hair on the underpart of the body is softer than on the top.

The head is covered with very soft, silky hair, the silkier the better. It should not be confined to a mere topknot but extends to cover the upper portion of the ears, including the fold, and frames the eyes. Starting about two inches from the tip, the ear has a thin feather of hair of nearly the same color and texture as the topknot, giving the ear the appearance of ending in a distinct point. The body of the ear is covered with short, soft, velvety hair. The hair on the muzzle is of the same texture as the foreleg feather. For presentation, the hair on the top of the muzzle is shortened. The hair behind the nose is naturally more sparse for about an inch.

The forelegs have a feather about two inches long, the same texture as the muzzle. The hind leg hair is of the same texture but has considerably less feather. The upper side of the tail is covered with crisper hair than that on the body. The underside has a softer feather about two inches long, gradually shorter as it nears the tip, shaped like a scimitar.

Temperament:

Independent, determined, reserved and intelligent. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier combines an affectionate and dignified nature with, in a working situation, tenacity and boldness.

History:

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier was bred from selected specimens of the rough native terrier of the Border hunters in the Cheviot Hills between England and Scotland and was first recorded as a distinct type of breed about 1700. He was distinguished by his preeminence in hunting the otter and the badger. A direct line of these dogs descended to the farmers in the Teviotdale Hills, where Sir Walter Scott in his travels chanced upon them and made them famous in his Guy Mannering, published in 1814. His character Dandie Dinmont, a farmer (believed to have been a Mr. James Davidson of Hindlee, near Hawick) kept the immortal six: "Auld Pepper," "Auld Mustard," "Young Pepper," "Young Mustard," "Little Pepper," and "Little Mustard." From the time of the popularity of Guy Mannering to the present day, the breed has been known as "Dandie Dinmont's Terriers."

Today the hunting qualities of the Dandie are not so often required, but his other qualities make him an excellent house dog. He is intelligent, fond of children, and an excellent guard. He has a will of his own and will sometimes obey a command reluctantly, with a look of "I'll do it, but please don't make me."

Regular coat care is necessary for a Dandie. Frequent plucking will improve the texture and color of the coat. Only the longest hairs should be removed to keep the double coat and penciled appearance. If the coat is neglected for a long period, it may be necessary to strip it down close to the skin. This will leave only undercoat and the Dandie may appear white. It can take months for the coat to grow in to proper length and texture after stripping.

Dandies fit in anywhere, either in a rough-and-tumble out-of-doors life or in the confines of a city apartment. They are in ideal size, between 18 and 24 pounds, small enough to fit a small apartment and yet a dog big in character.