DANDIE DINMONT TERRIER Breed Standards
In the 1700s, two types of distinct terriers were emerging throughout Britain. One type had a long back, short legs and a rough coat, and the other was smooth-coated with a shorter back. Both terriers were used to kill vermin as well as other ground animals such as otters and badgers. At the time, the long-backed, rough-coated terrier was seen as better suited to the job because its coat could withstand any weather or environment, it had a strong sturdy body, and its jaws were very powerful. In the early 1800s, controlled breeding of dogs for certain duties became very popular and Scotland focused on the short-legged, rough-coated breeds. Out of these breedings, various types of terriers emerged, one being the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
The breed owes its name and popularity to an 1814 novel by Sir Walter Scott titled Guy Mannering, in which a character named Dandie Dinmont owned a pack of these impressive terriers; the Dandie Dinmont is the only AKC-recognized breed to be named after a fictional character. The dog's small size and big personality made the decision to bring them to America easy, and the dogs earned their keep during trans-Atlantic passages by killing rats and entertaining the crew. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1886, just two years after the AKC itself was founded
SKILLS: Originally bred to go to ground, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a long, low-stationed working terrier with a curved outline. The distinctive head with silken topknot is large but in proportion to the size of the dog. The dark eyes are large and round with a soft, wise expression. The sturdy, flexible body and scimitar shaped tail are covered with a rather crisp double coat, either mustard or pepper in color.
SIZE: Height is from 8 to 11 inches at the top of the shoulders. Length from top of shoulders to root of tail is one to two inches less than twice the height. For a dog in good working condition, the preferred weight is from 18 to 24 pounds. Sturdily built with ample bone and well developed muscle, but without coarseness. The overall balance is more important than any single specification.
COAT: This is a very important point: The hair should be about two inches long; the body coat is a mixture of about 2/3 hardish hair with about 1/3 soft hair, giving a sort of crisp texture. The hard is not wiry. The body coat is shortened by plucking. The coat is termed pily or pencilled, the effect of the natural intermingling of the two types of hair. The hair on the underpart of the body is softer than on the top.
The head is covered with very soft, silky hair, the silkier the better. It should not be confined to a mere topknot but extends to cover the upper portion of the ears, including the fold, and frames the eyes. Starting about two inches from the tip, the ear has a thin feather of hair of nearly the same color and texture as the topknot, giving the ear the appearance of ending in a distinct point. The body of the ear is covered with short, soft, velvety hair. The hair on the muzzle is of the same texture as the foreleg feather. For presentation, the hair on the top of the muzzle is shortened. The hair behind the nose is naturally more sparse for about an inch.
The forelegs have a feather about two inches long, the same texture as the muzzle. The hind leg hair is of the same texture but has considerably less feather. The upper side of the tail is covered with crisper hair than that on the body. The underside has a softer feather about two inches long, gradually shorter as it nears the tip, shaped like a scimitar. Trimming for presentation is to appear entirely natural; exaggerated styling is objectionable.
Color - The color is pepper or mustard. Pepper ranges from dark bluish black to a light silvery gray, the intermediate shades preferred. The topknot and ear feather are silvery white, the lighter the color the better. The hair on the legs and feet should be tan, varying according to the body color from a rich tan to a very pale fawn. Mustard varies from a reddish brown to a pale fawn. The topknot and ear feather are a creamy white. The hair on the legs and feet should be a darker shade than the topknot.
In both colors the body color comes well down the shoulders and hips, gradually merging into the leg color. Hair on the underpart of the body is lighter in color than on the top. The hair on the muzzle (beard) is a little darker shade than the topknot. Ear color harmonizes with the body color. The upper side of the tail is a darker shade than the body color, while the underside of the tail is lighter, as the legs. Some white hair on the chest is common.
CARE REQUIRED: The Dandie Dinmont needs to be brushed regularly. They should have professional grooming. Dead hair should be plucked out once or twice a year. Show dogs require much more grooming. This breed sheds little to no hair.
CHARACTER: Independent, determined, reserved and intelligent. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier combines an affectionate and dignified nature with, in a working situation, tenacity and boldness.
EXERCISE: This breed will adapt to the family's circumstances and will be healthier with regular exercise.
SOCIAL BEHAVIOR: The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is good for apartment life. They are fairly active indoors and a small yard will do. Do not let this dog off the leash in an unsafe area because it will take off after a cat or other animal.
TRAINING: They are not difficult to train, but allowance must be made for the fact that they can be very stubborn and not keen on obedience.
