OK, now we need to warn you that if you’ve never heard anything thing about the Dandie Dinmont Terrier, and all the information that you have to go about this little guy, chances are, what you’re thinking isn’t even close.
This is because…
Despite the fact that this guy is small, and despite the fact that he is called “Dandie” these little guys a tough! And that’s what we like most about them.
Because…
Sure, they’re cute, and sure their friendly, but so are a lot of other “types” of dogs. That’s why what we really like about these guys is that even though they look like little “toys” at their “core” they’re very tough and very worthy of the title “terrier” at the end of their name.
But…
Will a Dandie Dinmont Terrier be the “right” kind of dog for you? This is question that we’re going to try and answer today because the last thing that we would want you to do is to simply decide that you want to adopt one of these fine Terriers simply because you think they are super cute.
Doing that…
Without knowing how these little guys behave would simply be asking for trouble and risking both you and your terrier’s happiness. So, without further ado, let’s dive right into our discussion all about the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and shed some light on why these dogs are so great!
Dandie Dinmont Dog Breed Fast Facts
Country of Origin: Scotland and England
Original Purpose: Hunt otter and badgers
Height: 8 to 11 inches tall
Weight: 18 to 24 pounds
Dog Breed Classification: Terrier Group
Lifespan: 12 to 15 years
Origin of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Dog Breed
The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a dog breed that has been around since the late 17th century, where it was first created right around the border lands between England and Scotland.
It was here…
That these little guys were used by local farmers and traveling gypsies to help flush out and kill game animals including:
- Otters,
- Badgers,
- And foxes.
Which is…
No easy task when you consider how fierce these animals are and how small the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is. Which should give you an idea of just how brave and courageous these little guys are.
Now “how” the…
Dandie Dinmont Terrier came into existence is a bit of a mystery. According to some sources, the breed was a cross between Otterhounds and local terriers while other reports suggest that the breed was developed by crossing Dachshunds with terriers.
No matter which source is credible, we can establish that the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a distant relative of the Terrier.
Now over the years…
The Dandie Dinmont Terrier has gone by several different names. Names such as the:
- Catcleugh,
- Hindlee,
- And Pepper and Mustard Terriers.
Ultimately…
Folks eventually settled on the name “Dandie Dinmont” after Sir Walter Scott chose to refer to them as such in his book called Guy Mannering in 1814. Shortly afterwards, the American Kennel Club decided to “officially” recognize the breed and currently ranks it as the 164th most common breed today.
Dandie Dinmont Terrier Dog Breed Characteristics
Aside from their large head which is covered with silky white hair which is the hallmark of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier, these dogs can also be easily identified by their long hanging ears, big round eyes, a long but low torso (think Dachshund), and short legs.
The body coat of the dog comes in two colors:
- Pepper which is a blueish black to silver grey color
- Mustard which is a reddish brown to pale fawn color
The average weight of the dog is generally right around 24 pounds, and they’ll usually measure in at about 8 to 11 inches tall.
We should also…
Point out that the front legs of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are short yet very powerful and that their paws tend to turn slightly outward when digging.
Because remember…
These guys are “terriers” so there will be a fair amount of “digging” going on. It should also be noted that the Dandie Dinmont Terrier’s hind legs are longer than the front legs but aren’t as powerful.
Dandie Dinmont Terrier Personality and Temperament
The first thing that you need to know about the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is that he is an amazing companion animal.
This affectionate dog…
Thrives on being a part of the family. And is just as happy in the city living with you in an apartment as he would be living out in the country with miles and miles to roam.
That said however…
Because he is a “terrier” we can automatically assume two things…
- First, he’s going to be smart.
- And Second, he’s going to be a “wee bit” stubborn.
This is why…
You’re going to wan to be sure to enroll your Dandie into an obedience class right away and be sure that he receives plenty of socialization training with both people and other dogs and pets as well.
This way…
As he grows and matures, he will be sure to be a great family pet to everyone in the household regardless of age, size or species!
The good news is…
That the Dandie Dinmont Terrier tends to be calmer than most Terriers, is polite with strangers, yet at the same time makes a good watch dog. But beware, like just about all Terriers out there, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier has a potential to get aggressive with other dogs of the same sex.
Dandie Dinmont Terrier Health Concerns
Any time you decide to purchase a purebred animal, there’s always a chance that animal could be “susceptible” to certain inheritable diseases.
And…
The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is no exception to this rule. So, the first thing that you’re going to want to do is be sure that you only work with a reputable Dandie Dinmont Terrier breeder when purchasing a new puppy and be sure that they are aware of some of the conditions that they are prone to developing.
You’ll also want to…
Make sure that you can physically inspect the parent of any puppy that your considering purchasing, and in the case of purchasing a Dandie Dinmont puppy, you want to make sure that your puppies parents don’t show any signs of the following conditions:
- Glaucoma,
- Cheyletiella yasguri mitei,
- Spinal problems including Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD),
- Epilepsy,
- And Cushing’s Disease,
Now you may be thinking to yourself…
“Wow, Dandie Dinmont Terriers are really unhealthy!”
But the truth is, they aren’t really any healthier or less health than any other purebred dog breed that is out there.
You see…
Animals just like people tend to get sick and or injured as just a part of normal life! This is why it’s so important for any potential pet owner to fully understand the responsibility that they are taking on when they decide to purchase or adopt a pet.
It’s also why…
We here at IndulgeYourPet also encourage anyone who is considering becoming a pet owner to be sure and due their due diligence before making the leap into pet ownership which includes taking a moment and consider purchasing a pet insurance policy on their animal as well.
Now will a pet insurance policy be “right” for everyone?
No, of course not. But until you understand how they work, and until you know how much one might cost you, how will you be able to know for sure one isn’t “right” for you?
For more information about who we “feel” currently offers the “best” pet insurance policies in the industry right now, we would encourage you to check out our Top 10 Best Pet Insurance Companies article.
