Dandie Dinmont Terrier

Despite the small size of the dog, the animal is courageous. Devotion is the main character trait of this breed. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier has inherent guarding qualities. The dog will not be able to stop a large animal or person. But barking is a sign that a stranger is approaching. It is a sociable breed of dog. The Dandie will tolerate a change of scenery and company easily. The pets will enjoy walking with their owner and actively spending time.

Breed Photos

Origin History

The breed’s uniqueness is due not only to its unusual name but also to its interesting appearance. It was the first and only story in dog breeding when the breed was named after a fictional character from Walter Scott’s Guy Mannering, or the Astrologer. Dandie Dinmont, the main character in work, was the owner of six dogs. He distinguished his favorites by two shades – mustard and salt and pepper. The name of the shades of the breed has survived to this day.

There are many versions of the origin of the breed. The dog appeared about four centuries ago. The original purpose of the animal was to hunt foxes and other animals.

Appearance

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a small, medium-sized dog. The dog has short paws. The front ones are longer than the back ones. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier has floppy ears and large eyes. At one show, a dog of this breed was given the title for the most beautiful eyes.

The height at the withers of male dogs is 27 cm, while bitches are five centimeters shorter. The adult male weighs about 12 kg, the female 10 kg. The hair of the animal is thick, medium length. The dog has a beard and whiskers. The Dandie Dinmont terrier’s color is divided into two types: black (including shades of gray) and brown.

Character

Despite the small size of the dog, the animal is courageous. Devotion is the main character trait of this breed. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier has inherent guarding qualities. The dog will not be able to stop a large animal or person. But barking is a sign that a stranger is approaching. It is a sociable breed of dog. The Dandie will tolerate a change of scenery and company easily.

The pets will enjoy walking with their owner and actively spending time.

But if the owner decides to get a second dog of the same breed, problems can arise. Dogs do not always get along with each other.

A problem an owner may encounter is a barking dog. From puppyhood, any barking for no reason should be punished. It can become a habit.

During training, the dog may be stubborn.

Care

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier can live both in the house and in the apartment. The dog should be walked regularly – twice a day. Experts recommend walking the dog only on a leash, as Dandie can be aggressive to other dogs.

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is unpretentious in its care. During shedding, the dog should be brushed twice a week. The rest of the time, wash it as it gets dirty. It is necessary to bathe once a month with unique means. The ears of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier should be cleaned once a week.

Training

The dog should be trained from the first day in the house. Dandie Dinmont Terriers are very smart and can memorize information quickly. However, it should be remembered that they are cunning.

And if from childhood the owner does not show the animal who is the boss in the house, it will not be possible for sure in the future.

It is a very people-oriented dog. However, it is worth noting that the terrier may be actively jealous of the owner if another animal approaches him. This behavior should be punished immediately.

The socialization of the dog is vital from an early age. Teach it to people to treat other animals well, and in the future, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier will not show aggression.

Common Diseases

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is prone to certain diseases, namely epilepsy and glaucoma. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is more vulnerable to ticks than other breeds.

Nutrition

From childhood, food should be balanced and correct. An adult dog should be fed twice a day. There are two food options – natural food or food. The dog owner should always control the availability of fresh drinking water in the bowl.