The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a small dog that is longer than it is tall, it has a distinctive head that is large in proportion to the body with long ears and eyes that are hazel in colour and have a beautiful wise expression. They have a surprisingly quick and fluent walk and are either pepper or mustard in colour Pepper can range from a dark black or blue, to a light silvery grey, mustard ranges from a reddish brown to a pale fawn Colour They can stand up to 11 inches tall and weigh 24 lbs. They are also well known for their top knot, which should be in proportion to their size and be silky to the touch.
History. Developed in the 17th century they became known as Dandie Dinmonts' after Sir Walter Scott wrote about them in his book "Guy Mannering" this is also where the names for its colouring pepper and mustard comes from, as these were the names of his dogs. To this day they remain the only breed to be named after a fictional character, they are also though of as one of the most ancient terrier breeds. They were originally used to hunt otters, small vermin and badgers; though today they are mostly known only as pets.
Temperament. Dandie Dinmont Terriers are very affectionate dogs, but can also be independent. They are a dignified breed but when they want something they can be very persistent and very determined. They are very intelligent which makes them easy to train, and they should be trained not to bark from a young age to stop any persistent barking problems are they get older. They have excellent problem solving abilities but can be stubborn if they don't want to do something. Dandie Dinmont Terriers are a very lively breed with good hunting abilities, they do however suffer from 'small dog syndrome' whereby unless properly trained they can often think that they are "King of the world" this can lead to traits such as aggressiveness, anxiety and being very stubborn, this is not their natural temperament, and by having a firm yet gentle owner these problems will disappear.
Health Issues. Although normally a very healthy breed they can suffer from epilepsy and glaucoma, a disease which damages the optic nerve. They can also develop back problems, especially if the dog is over weight, intervertaebral disc are a problem as well and so for the first 12 months especially the dog should avoid high impact activities such as climbing and jumping.
Grooming. Dandie Dinmont Terriers do not shed much, however regular brushing is required and they should be hand stripped by a professional at least once or twice a year. Their feet also need to be regularly trimmed to keep them looking neat.
Living Conditions. Dandie Dinmont Terriers are suitable for living in flats and small houses as long as they get a daily walk or have a small garden they can run around in. They are mainly an indoor dog as they are not the most energetic dogs, they get on well with children and other dogs, however because they are dogs that by nature hunt small vermin and animals, they would not get on well with a house that also has hamsters, rabbits or guinea pigs. They can though live with cats as long as the dog was raised with the cat.
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