Dandie Dinmont Dog Breeders Share Expertise on the Breed

Dandie Dinmont breeders are passionate about preserving the breed's unique characteristics. They work tirelessly to ensure that their dogs are healthy, well-socialized, and true to the breed standard.

The Dandie Dinmont's distinctive appearance is a result of its Scottish terrier heritage, with a shaggy coat and a long, narrow head. This breed has been around since the 18th century, with a rich history that's steeped in tradition.

Dandie Dinmont breeders take pride in their dogs' intelligence and energy level, which makes them a great fit for active families. They require regular exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behavior.

Whether you're a seasoned dog owner or a first-time breeder, Dandie Dinmont breeders are happy to share their expertise and help you find the perfect pup.

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The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a breed that originated in the border counties and Scotland. It gained its name from a novel by Sir Walter Scott, who modelled the character Dandie Dinmont after a local farmer named James Davidson.

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The breed's unique features, such as its weasel-like body and curving topline, have made it increasingly popular in recent years. Its silky topknot and large expressive eyes are also distinctive characteristics of the breed.

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier's height at the withers is typically between 8-11 inches, and they can weigh between 18-24 pounds. This makes them a relatively small breed, but with a muscular neck developed from their use against larger game.

The Dandie Dinmont terrier has a fascinating history that's deeply rooted in Scotland. They originated from the Scottish Borders and the surrounding counties.

This breed is unique in that it's the only one to be named after a fictional character. Dandie Dinmont terriers gained popularity after the publication of Guy Mannering, a novel by Sir Walter Scott, in 1815.

Many readers were inspired by the book and flocked to the Scottish Borders to find "Dandie Dinmont's terriers." As a result, the breed acquired its iconic name.

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier was developed in the border Counties and Scotland, and its name comes from a novel by Sir Walter Scott. The breed was named after a farmer who owned terriers called Pepper and Mustard, which were the inspiration for the character Dandie Dinmont.

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier has a unique weasel-like body and a curving topline, with a silky topknot on its head. Its large expressive eyes have made it increasingly popular in recent years.

The breed's short legs and elongated body are quite distinctive, and it's worth noting that it has pendulous ears, unlike some other Scottish terrier breeds. Unusually, it can weigh anywhere between 18-24 pounds.

The typical height at the withers is 8-11 inches, and the breed's coat forms a topknot on top of its head. The coat comes in two colour ranges: pepper and mustard.

The pepper colour range goes from dark blueish black to very light silvery gray, while the mustard range varies from reddish brown to fawn. The head typically appears almost white, with the legs and feet being a darker colour.

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The Dandie Dinmont is a breed like no other, with a unique weasel-like body and curving topline that's sure to catch your eye.

Its coat is quite distinctive, featuring a silky topknot that adds to its charm.

The breed's large expressive eyes are a hallmark of its wonderful character.

The Dandie Dinmont's recognized colours are a sandy/brown (Mustard) and blue/grey (Pepper), named after the terriers owned by James Davidson, a neighbouring farmer who inspired the breed's name.

These colours are a nod to the breed's rich history and heritage.

Additional reading: Grizzle Border Terrier Colours

Dandie Dinmont Terriers are 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder. Their weight ranges from 18 to 24 pounds.

Their bodies are proportionally long, with a length that's twice their height, minus one to two inches.

Terrier breeds are known for being tough but usually friendly, making them suitable for older children. They can also make great companions and guard dogs.

Some terrier breeds, like the Dandie Dinmont Terrier, are described as being "very game", meaning they're prone to challenging other animals, including foxes. This can be a challenge for owners who want to socialize their pets.

Terriers are typically independent, bold, and intelligent, which can make them a bit reserved with strangers. However, they're not "barkers" and will only bark when necessary.

Dandie Dinmont Terriers, in particular, have a great deal of self-confidence and won't back down if they're pushed too far. They're never bullies, but they won't be pushed around either.

Temperament is affected by heredity, training, and socialization, so it's essential to choose a puppy with a nice temperament. Look for a puppy that's curious and playful, willing to approach people and be held by them.

Early socialization is crucial for terrier breeds, and enrolling them in a puppy kindergarten class can be a great start. Inviting visitors over regularly and taking them to busy parks and stores can also help polish their social skills.

The breed's trainability is one of its most impressive qualities. Many owners report that their Corgis quickly learn basic commands and tricks.

Corgis are known to be highly intelligent and responsive to training, which makes them a great choice for first-time dog owners. They thrive on structure and clear communication.

Their short stature also makes them easier to manage during training sessions, as they don't require as much physical exertion as larger breeds.

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier's coat is quite distinctive, with two main colors: mustard and pepper.

Mustard Dandies have a reddish-brown to pale fawn coat with a creamy white topknot, while Peppers are a dark bluish-black to light silvery gray with a silvery white topknot.

Dandies have a unique coat texture, with a crisp topcoat that's about 2 inches long, made up of two-thirds hard hair and one-third soft hair.

Their topknot is very soft and silky hair.

To keep their coat looking its best, Dandies need to be brushed two or three times a week to remove dead hair and prevent matting.

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They also need to have their dead hair plucked from the coat once or twice a year, with show dogs requiring more frequent plucking to encourage new hair growth.

If you cut your Dandie's hair instead of stripping it, the color and texture changes, becoming lighter and softer.

Regular grooming also includes trimming the hair on top of the muzzle short, keeping the corners of the eyes free of hair, and trimming the long hair on the legs, underbody, and head with scissors.

It's also essential to remove hair in the ears regularly by gently plucking it out.

When choosing a Dandie Dinmont Terrier breeder, it's essential to consider the health of the breed. Dandies are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they're prone to certain health conditions.

Some lines of Dandie Dinmont Terriers appear to be prone to glaucoma, which causes an increase in pressure in the eyeball. Signs of glaucoma are squinting, tearing, rubbing, or redness of the eye.

Be sure to have your vet check your dog immediately if you notice any of these signs, as treatment should be started preferably within a few hours for greatest success.

Dandies can also be susceptible to Cheyletiella yasguri mites, which can cause scaliness on the skin, small white mites moving on the surface of the skin, itching, skin redness, and small swollen areas.

Your vet can prescribe treatments to get rid of the mites.

To prevent spinal problems, be careful to support your Dandie's back when you pick him up and discourage him from jumping on or off high places. Instead, provide pet steps to the sofa or bed.

Some Dandies have been reported with epilepsy, so if your dog has seizures, ask your vet about treatment.

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Dandie Dinmont Terriers are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they can be prone to certain health conditions.

If you're considering this breed, it's essential to find a reputable breeder who will show you health clearances for both your puppy's parents. Health clearances prove that a dog has been tested for and cleared of a particular condition.

You should expect to see health clearances from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) for hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and von Willebrand's disease, and from Auburn University for thrombopathia.

Dandies can be prone to glaucoma, which causes an increase in pressure in the eyeball. Signs of glaucoma include squinting, tearing, rubbing, or redness of the eye.

If you notice any of these signs, have your vet check your dog immediately, as treatment should be started within a few hours for greatest success.

Some Dandie Dinmont Terrier lines appear to be more prone to glaucoma than others.

Here are some common health issues that can affect Dandie Dinmont Terriers:

Cheyletiella yasguri mites can invest any dog, but Dandie Dinmont Terriers seem to be more commonly affected than other breeds. Signs of these mites include scaliness on the skin, small white mites moving on the surface of the skin, itching, skin redness, and small swollen areas.

Spinal problems are a concern for Dandies, as they can easily injure their long back. Be careful to support their back when you pick them up and discourage them from jumping on or off high places.

Instead, provide pet steps to the sofa or bed to help prevent spinal problems.

Epilepsy has been reported in some Dandies, and if your dog has seizures, ask your vet about treatment.

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Feeding your Dandie Dinmont Terrier is crucial for their overall health and well-being. You should feed them 1 to 1.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.

The amount of food your dog needs depends on their individual characteristics, such as size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. A highly active dog will need more food than a couch potato dog.

The quality of dog food you buy also makes a difference - the better the food, the less of it you'll need to feed your dog. You should be able to feel your dog's ribs without having to press hard, which is a good indicator of their weight.

If you're unsure whether your dog is overweight, give them the hands-on test by placing your hands on their back with your thumbs along the spine and fingers spread downward.

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