Dandie Dinmont Terrier

Temperament:

Courageous, Spirited, Fun-loving
Size: Small
Height: 20-28 cm
Weight: 8-11 kg
Lifespan: 12-15 years
Coat: Medium Hair
Colors: Pepper,-and mustard colors, cream, brown
FCI Group: Terriers

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a courageous and spirited dog. There is never a dull moment with him. He is very cheerful and playful. His affectionate and friendly nature makes him the ideal dog for a loving and calm home.

Dandie Dinmont Terrier
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Characteristics

Do you live alone and are looking for a loyal roommate? Then the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is the perfect companion for you. He likes to bond with his owner and won't leave your side. He has a big heart and is very affectionate. This also makes him a good family dog. However, he prefers to have just one caregiver.

He is very affectionate and gentle. However, he is rather skeptical and reserved when dealing with unfamiliar children. His contact with other dogs is not very pronounced. He is small but knows how to defend himself. When challenged, he can become very cheeky.

You can keep him indoors. If you give him enough exercise, he doesn't need his own garden. He guards his house very carefully, but fortunately doesn't tend to bark.

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is an intelligent dog. It is curious and capable of learning. However, it also has a stubborn character. That's why you need to train him with consistency and patience. It is best to take him to a dog training school so that he masters all the commands well. This will make him a reliable companion. He will do anything for you if rewarded appropriately.

Coat care:

Little
Medium
Intensive

Shedding:

Little
Medium
Intensive

Energy level:

Little
Medium
High

Trainability:

Little
Medium
Good

Children suitable:

Less
With supervision
Perfect

The right food

When choosing food, you should make sure that it contains high-quality ingredients and is balanced. The amount of food depends on the manufacturer's recommendations.

Overfeeding should be avoided, especially in puppies, as this can lead to rapid growth with later consequences such as joint problems.

As a puppy it should be given 4 to 6 meals a day, gradually reducing this to 2 meals a day when it is fully grown.

Moderate amounts of treats for training facilitate success. Make sure that the treats do not contain any unnecessary additives such as sugar etc. Subtract the amount of treats from the amount of basic food.

Health & Care

The silver-grey to mustard-colored coat of your new four-legged friend needs a lot of care. The top coat is hard and bristly, while the undercoat is soft and fluffy. That's why you need to brush it daily. Don't just brush superficially, but place the comb directly on the skin. This is because his undercoat tends to become matted.

The coat must be professionally trimmed every three months. Ask the breeder for advice on how to do it yourself. It is important that he is not clipped under any circumstances. This can lead to total hair loss. In general, he does not need to be bathed unless he is very dirty.

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is prone to ear mites. You can prevent this by regularly trimming the fur on the ears and keeping them clean. The eyes and teeth also need to be cared for. It's best to start doing this as a puppy so that he gets used to it more easily.

Suitable accessories

You can buy a dog crate for your pet. It is suitable for transportation in the car. A dog basket or mat is suitable as a retreat. Do not use a wicker basket. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier likes to gnaw on wood and can injure itself in the process.

Get a normal collar with a suitable lead for your new friend. You must not use a harness as it can deform his back line.

He is very active and playful in the house. You should therefore offer him a selection of suitable dog toys. Due to his hunting instinct, a fetch toy is best suited. You can play with it together and have lots of fun.

Dandie Dinmont Terrier History

Origin & History

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier has a long tradition. Breeding began in the 18th century in the Scottish Borders on the border with England. It was originally known as the "Pepper and Mustard Terrier". It was given this name because of its pepper and mustard-colored coat. It was mainly used as a companion for hunting small animals. With its short legs, it could easily penetrate the burrows of small animals. Its robust, bristly coat was weatherproof.

His name changed in 1814 after the publication of the novel by Scotland's greatest writer Sir Walter Scott. In his work "Guy Mannering", the lively terrier was the companion of the novel's character Dandie Dinmont. This book made the Dandie Dinmont Terrier extremely popular. The first club for this breed was founded in 1875. The breed is still little known in Germany today.