Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Temperament:
The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a brave and spirited dog. It is never boring with him. He is very fun-loving and playful. His affectionate and friendly nature makes him the perfect dog for a loving and quiet home.
Characteristics
Do you live alone and are looking for a faithful roommate? Then the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a perfect companion for you. He likes to form a deep bond with his master and will not leave your side. He has a big heart and is very affectionate. This characteristic also makes him a suitable family dog. However, he prefers to have only one caregiver.
He is very affectionate and gentle. In dealing with strange children, however, he is rather skeptical and reserved. His sociability towards other dogs is not very pronounced. He is small, but knows how to defend himself. When challenged, he can become extremely naughty.
You can keep him very well in the apartment. If you give him enough exercise, he does not need his own garden. He guards his home very attentively, but fortunately does not tend to cling.
The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is an intelligent dog. He is inquisitive and capable of learning. However, he has a stubborn character. Therefore, you must train him consistently and patiently. It is best to take him to a dog school, so that he can master all commands. Thus he will become a reliable companion for you. Against appropriate reward he is ready to do everything for you.
Coat care:
Shedding:
Energy level:
Trainability:
Children suitable:
The right food
With the Dandie Dinmont Terrier it is extremely important that he is not overfed. Especially during the first months of life, he must not become obese under any circumstances. Otherwise, the stress can cause damage to his joint development. To avoid this, you should stick to the recommended amount of food for your puppy.
You also need to give him enough exercise to keep him in shape. Whether you offer dry or wet food depends on what he likes better. You can also mix grated carrot into his food. This is good for his coat and gives him a shine.
Dandie Dinmont Terrier Care
The silver-gray to mustard-colored coat of your new four-legged friend requires careful grooming. His top coat is hard and bristly and his undercoat is soft and fuzzy. That's why you have to brush it every day. You must not only brush superficially, but you must put the comb directly on the skin. His undercoat tends to become matted.
Every three months he must be professionally trimmed. Get tips from the breeder on how to learn trimming yourself. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is prone to ear mites. You can prevent mite formation by trimming his fur on the ears regularly. Generally, you do not need to bathe him unless he is extremely dirty. It is very important that he is not clipped. This can cause total hair loss.
Suitable accessories
You can buy a dog crate for your pet. It is suitable for transportation on trips and serves as a retreat for him at home. If you prefer to use another sleeping place, do not use a wicker basket. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier likes to gnaw on the wood and can hurt himself.
Get a normal collar with a matching leash for your new friend. You must not use a harness, because it can deform his back line.
Inside the apartment he is very active and playful. For this reason, you must offer him a choice of suitable dog toys. Because of his hunting instinct, a fetch toy is best. You can play with it together and have a lot of fun.
Origin & History
The Dandie Dinmont Terrier looks back on a long tradition. His breeding began already in the 18th century in the Scottish Borders, right next to England. He was originally known as the "Pepper and Mustard Terrier". He bore this name because of his pepper and mustard colored coat. He was mainly used as a companion for small animal hunting. His short legs allowed him to easily enter the burrows of small animals. Its robust, bristly coat was weather resistant.
His name changed in 1814 after the appearance of the novel by Scotland's greatest writer Sir Walter Scott. In his work "Guy Mannering" the bright terrier was the companion of the novel character Dandie Dinmont. Through this book, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier gained great popularity. In 1875 the first club for this breed was founded. Until today the breed is quite unknown in Germany.
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