1. Dog Breeds
  2. Profiles
  3. Dandie Dinmont Terrier

Dandie Dinmont Terrier

Dandie Dinmont Terrier
The Dandie Dinmont Terrier originated in the Scotland-England border in the 1600s. It was bred to hunt badgers and is thought to be a descendant of the Border Terrier and the Dachshund. The Dandie Dinmont is a small terrier dog that weighs 18 to 24 pounds and stands 20 to 28 centimetres at the withers. This dog breed has a funny appearance with its distinctive "poof" hair on its head. The Dandie Dinmont is smart and fond of children which makes them a great breed for families. Are you thinking of getting a Dandie Dinmont Terrier? Here is a brief background of this unique looking terrier dog.
History Appearance Grooming Temperament Intelligence Nutrition Feeding Health Exercise Cost of Ownership Breed Highlights

Dandie Dinmont Terrier Breed Pictures

Vital Breed Stats

Height: 25 - 30 cm M | 20 - 25 cm F
Weight: 9 - 11 kg M | 8 - 10 kg F
Breed Group: Working Dog Group
Life Expectancy: 13 - 15 years
KC Registered: No

Breed Characteristics

Size: 2
Grooming: 3
Exercise Level: 3
Trainability: 4
Barking Level: 3
Good with Children: 2
Good with other pets: 2
Affectionate: 4
Protective: 3
Cost to Keep: 2
Give a thumbs up if you love the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
like button
0

More About the Breed

history

History

Origins of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier can be traced back to dogs bred in the border country of Scotland and England during the 1600s. This dog breed was developed as a result of crossing a local terrier type breed (presumably the Border Terrier) with Dachshunds. The name was derived from one of the characters in Sir Walter Scott's novel Guy Mannering that was published in 1814.

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier was originally bred to hunt badgers and otters. Later in 1875, it was promoted to a companion dog. On the same year, the first club was established to promote the breed and has helped catapult the Dandie Dinmont to fame.

appearance

Appearance

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a unique terrier dog with a body that is longer than it is tall. This small breed stands 20 to 28 centimetres at the withers and weighs 18 to 24 pounds. It has a large and strong head sporting a broad skull that narrows down towards the eyes. It has a well-domed forehead covered in silky hair. Its head wears a beautiful "poof" of silky topknot hairs and ear feathering. Its eyes are rich dark hazel, full and round that shows its soft and wise expression. Ears are droopy and are set well back on a Dandie Dinmont's head.

Dandies boast of a double coat comprised of a soft, downy and linty undercoat and a crisp topcoat that is about 2 inches long. The coat comes in two distinctive colours: mustard and pepper. The mustard coloured Dandie Dinmont is reddish brown to pale fawn with a creamy white silky topknot. The pepper coloured Dandie Dinmont is dark bluish black to a light silvery grey with a silvery topknot hair.

grooming

Grooming

For Dandie puppies, daily combing is required to avoid matting while older Dandies will have to be hand stripped at least twice a year with a professional groomer. Don't forget to trim hairs on top of their muzzles, the corners of the eyes, ears, legs, underbody, and between the footpads. The rest is basic grooming such as dental, ear and nail care.
temperament

Temperament

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is devoted to their families, but they can also be independent and persistent, tenacious and bold, typical of a terrier. They are affectionate but are aloof around strangers. They rarely bark and only do so when necessary. Although a loving dog breed, the Dandie is also stubborn, so it needs to be with an assertive and patient owner who knows how to train this type of dog.
intelligence

Intelligence

Dandies are considered calmer (not snappy) than most of its terrier breed cousins, so they make excellent companions for children. However, make sure that interaction is still supervised to avoid any incidents. They also get along well with household pets especially if they were raised together. The downside of having a Dandie Dinmont Terrier for a pet dog is they do not do well when left on their own for longer periods of time. They are better suited for households where one person stays at home.
nutrition

Nutrition

Typical calorie needs of adult Dandie Dinmont Terriers per day:
  • Senior and less active: up to 590 calories daily
  • Typical adults: up to 660 calories daily
  • Physically active/working dogs: up to 730 calories daily
As a responsible dog owner, it is your choice what to feed your dog. However, it is highly recommended to work with your veterinarian and/or breeder to determine your Dandie Dinmont's nutritional requirement and frequency of meals. This breed is prone to obesity so make sure that you monitor its food intake.
feeding

Feeding

A typical serving for an adult Dandie Dinmont Terrier is 1 to 1.5 cups of premium quality dry dog food per day. There are numerous factors to consider when choosing the right diet for your dog. This includes its age, size, build, level of activity, and metabolism.
health

Health

The Dandie Dinmont Terriers can live up to 13 years if given the proper love and care. They are generally healthy dogs, but like any breed, they are predisposed to health conditions. These health issues may include Glaucoma, Cheyletiella Yasguri Mites, Epilepsy, and spinal problems.
exercise

Exercise

To keep your Dandie Dinmont healthy and strong, make sure you give it the right amount of exercise. Dandies should regularly be walked for 20 to 30 minutes. It is also best if they can play in a securely fenced yard.
cost

Cost of Ownership

Owning a pet is rewarding, but as it turns out, it can be surprisingly costly as well. There are many important things to consider before you start looking to buy a Dandie Dinmont Terrier puppy. You should also know that only a few Dandie puppies are registered per year so you may have to be on a waiting list to ever get one.

To get a sense of how much it will cost you, have a look at the breakdown below:

  • Puppy price - £850 and above
  • Pet insurance - £22 to £42 a month
  • Food costs - £20 to £30 a month
  • Veterinary expense - £800 a year
On average, you will be spending an estimated £50 to £80 a month. This will change depending on the level of insurance you avail for your Dandie Dinmont.

Is a Dandie Dinmont Terrier Right for You?

  • The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a sociable, independent and tenacious dog breed, typical of its terrier lineage.
  • It is affectionate with its family but quite reserved with strangers.
  • It does not bark much and only does so when necessary.
  • An overweight Dandie will surely suffer from back problems, so proper diet is needed.
  • The Dandie Dinmont Terrier has a stubborn streak, which makes training a bit challenging.
  • It is a rare breed, so buying a Dandie is difficult and you will have to be on a waitlist.

Considering getting a Dandie Dinmont Terrier?

FOR SALE
FOR ADOPTION
FOR STUD

Share this breed with your friends:

dog Comparison Tool

Side-by-side breed comparison

dog Breed Selector Quiz

To help you with your final decision making.