A little look at life together.
Getting to know the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
The Dandie Dinmont Terrier has a low, long outline, a distinctive topknot, and a working-terrier background. A low-shedding coat still takes maintenance; ask how to care for both the harsher body hair and softer furnishings.
An everyday routine
Plan a daily mix of walks, play, and rest. The amount that works for a particular dog depends on age, fitness, experience, and temperament.
Coat care to plan for
Set aside time each week for coat care, checking through the hair rather than only brushing the surface. Shedding periods or longer furnishings may need extra attention.
Before deciding, meet the individual dog and ask about their history, handling preferences, and current routine. Breed tendencies are a starting point, not a promise about personality.
Dandie Dinmont Terrier questions
Do Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed?
Hardly at all. The coat does not shed, which makes the breed suitable for some people with allergies, though that is not a guarantee. Low shedding is not low upkeep, however. The coat needs daily brushing to prevent mats and the dead hair stripped out at least a couple of times a year.
How big does a full-grown Dandie Dinmont Terrier get?
Adults usually stand 8 to 11 inches tall and weigh 18 to 24 pounds. The body is long and low on short legs.
How long do Dandie Dinmont Terriers live?
Typically 12 to 15 years, with an average of 12 to 14 years and many dogs reaching 15 or 16. These are breed-wide figures, not a prediction for one dog.
Do Dandie Dinmont Terriers bark a lot?
Not usually. The breed is not yappy and does not normally bark excessively. When a Dandie does bark, it is startlingly deep and loud for a small dog, a big baritone bark that makes the breed a convincing watchdog.
Why is it called a Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
It is named after a character in a novel. In Sir Walter Scott's 1815 book Guy Mannering, a farmer called Dandie Dinmont keeps a pack of unusual-looking terriers, and Scott based him on a real breeder of these dogs, James Davidson. The dogs became known as Dandie Dinmont's terriers, and it is still the only recognized breed in the United States named for a fictional character.
What do pepper and mustard mean for a Dandie Dinmont Terrier?
They are the breed's two colors. Pepper ranges from bluish black to silvery gray, and mustard from reddish brown to pale fawn. Either way the head carries the breed's signature topknot of soft, silky white hair. The same two words describe the terriers kept by the farmer in Scott's novel.
How much exercise does a Dandie Dinmont Terrier need?
A moderate amount, about half an hour twice a day, as a brisk walk or a ball game in the yard. With its long back and short legs the Dandie is not built for distance, so it is not the dog for a jogging or cycling partner. Keep it on a leash or behind a secure fence, because even a well-trained Dandie will bolt after something it sees as prey.
Can a Dandie Dinmont Terrier live in an apartment?
Yes. Dandies are very adaptable dogs that live happily in apartments as well as in town and country homes, provided they get moderate exercise and plenty of human company. This farm-bred terrier also adapts well to city living.
