The Dandy Dinmont Terrier is a small dog with an elongated body, short legs and a funny tuft of hair on its head. These dogs were once used for hunting, but today they are bred as pets and companions. They are known for their affectionate nature and are also considered one of the most obedient terrier breeds.
History of the origin of the Dandy Dinmont Terrier breed
This is an ancient breed, first mentioned in the 16th century, bred in Scotland on the basis of Scottish terriers. The breed included Sky Terriers and Bedlington Terriers – small, fast and sturdy dogs that were bred by farmers and gypsies to kill rodents. Representatives of the new breed were fearless, had quick reactions, and hunted badgers, otters, rats, foxes and martens. But the breed became popular after the publication of Walter Scott’s novel “Guy Mannering,” whose main character kept a whole pack of such dogs, and the Dandy Dinmont Terrier was named after him. These remarkable terriers were kept by aristocrats and even Queen Victoria.
Dandy Dinmont’s character
The Dandy Dinmont Terrier is a playful, determined and affectionate dog who loves spending time with his family, but is never intrusive. Needing constant attention and affection, like all terriers, it can sometimes be very capricious. This is especially evident when the pet is jealous of its owner, so it is very important to start raising a terrier while it is still a puppy. These dogs are friendly and patient, so they get along well with children. They are intelligent and quite amenable to training, although they can be stubborn, but patience, consistency and perseverance will help make this little one an obedient and noble member of the family.
Housing conditions
These dogs are very active, so they need regular exercise: long walks with games and exercise, trips to the countryside, travel – all of these will be an important part of a happy little shaggy’s life. Despite their small size, you will need to walk at least 2-3 times a day. Dandy dinmont terriers are suitable for apartment living because they are unpretentious, do not require complicated care or expensive food. However, several disadvantages in the character of these terriers can lead to problems: they are obedient to only one owner; they bark a lot; they can be stubborn; they like to joke around; they get into conflicts with other dogs. Therefore, it is important to take everything into account, to think well before taking into care and raising a representative of this breed.
Appearance
Dandy Dinmont dogs cannot be confused with other terriers. They have a disproportionate build: the body is elongated and the limbs are short. The head is large enough, the forehead is wide, and the transition to the muzzle is sharply marked. The jaws are powerful, the eyes are large, slightly convex, wide-set, and the ears are drooping. The neck of this breed is short, muscular, the chest is broad, the tail is smooth, medium in length, can only rise vertically and never bends or curls into a ring. The limbs are short, muscular, the hind limbs are slightly longer than the front, widely spaced. Two main colors are common among the Dandy Dinmont breed: peppery (dark blue-black to light silver-gray) and mustard (all shades of red, red, brown), sometimes with white markings on the chest or toes. The average weight of a dandy varies from 8 to 11 kg, and the height at the withers – from 20 to 28 cm.
Education and training
These terriers are smart, intelligent, but they have an independent character, so to make the dog obedient, you need to find the right approach to him. The owner must gain authority, then the pet will obey, understand him half-heartedly and try to please him. From the first days of arrival at home, the puppy should be taught the rules of behavior. He must respond to the nickname, know his place and know how to walk on a leash. The main commands that should be taught immediately: not allowed; foo; sit; stand; next to; place. Training should be consistent, regular, but it is important to take into account that these terriers do not tolerate monotony, if they get bored, they may even run away. The owner must be patient, firm but not rude, encourage the use of treats and petting. It is advisable to take the puppy to dog parks, so that he is more relaxed with other dogs.
Care of the Dandy Dinmont
Hygiene procedures for this terrier breed are the same as for other dogs:
1. brush the coat with a stiff brush once every 1-2 days;
2. trim the mustache and beard regularly, and shorten the hair between the toes and in the ears;
3. bathe as needed, but not more often than once every 2 months;
4. check and rub eyes daily;
5. clean ears twice a week;
6. trim claws every month;
7. Use special toothpaste or chew treats for dental care.
A special feature of the Dandy Dinmont Terrier is its dense double coat: a stiff scalp with soft undercoat, which requires regular shearing. The grooming standard for this breed does not allow regular clipping with a razor, as this spoils the structure of the coat. Instead, hand plucking – trimming – is used every 2-3 months or seasonally. This keeps the skin healthy, provides natural ventilation and maintains the breed’s characteristic silhouette.
The back, neck and sides are trimmed shorter, while the belly, legs and lower body have a longer, softer coat – the so-called “skirt.” The head – the dandy’s calling card – should have a distinctive rounded appearance with long, silky hair that is not trimmed, but combed and, if necessary, lightly trimmed with scissors for a neat appearance. The mane, beard and mustache are part of the breed’s image and are not altered by creative clipping.
It is also important to brush the coat regularly to avoid kinks, especially in the “skirt” area and behind the ears. Grooming of ears, eyes, claws and teeth should be regular – this is key not only to beauty, but also to health.
In grooming salons that understand the breed’s standards, Dandy Dinmont Terriers can be offered professional haircuts, hygiene treatments, combing and grooming without disturbing the breed’s natural appearance. That’s why it’s recommended to contact professionals who have experience working with hard-coated terriers.
Nutrition
You can feed your pet ready-made or natural food. It does not need a lot of food, but it should be nutritious and provide all the necessary nutrients. The puppy is fed 4-7 times a day depending on its age, the number of feedings gradually decreases. After a year, the dog is moved to two meals a day, it is important to remember that you can not overfeed the dog, because Dinmont Terriers are prone to obesity.
When choosing ready-made food, prefer brands no lower than premium grade. In addition to dry pellets, veterinarians recommend feeding your pet canned food from the same manufacturer.
With natural feeding, the animal’s diet should consist of lean meat and offal, which are supplemented with oatmeal, vegetables. It is useful to feed fermented dairy products, sea fish, eggs. It is strictly forbidden to feed dogs smoked meat, sweets, confectionery, tubular bones, canned food from the owner’s table.
Health
These dogs live an average of 12-15 years. With good care and regular veterinary checks, they remain active into old age. The main problems with this breed are spinal abnormalities and injuries. Due to the peculiarity of their body structure, bitches often require assistance with childbirth or cesarean section. Also in these dogs there are such diseases: glaucoma, epilepsy, diseases of the digestive organs, joint pathologies.
Dandy Dinmont Terrier is a cheerful and agile dog, an ideal pet for a family with children or for an active single person. It is a cheerful, good-natured, affectionate dog that will provide good cheer and loyalty in response to attention and care.
