The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is another breed that makes up the large family of Terrier dogs, especially with the Silky Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier. These small, long, thick-haired dogs are one of the oldest breeds in the United Kingdom, where they originated. This is why, after so many years of history, having shared the house of many noble families of the time, it is a pity to know that the Dandie Dinmont Terriers are among the vulnerable breeds, since it is estimated that approximately Only 300 dogs are born a year in Ireland and the UK.Want to know more about this little-known breed despite its age? Read on, as PlanèteAnimal tells you everything there is to know about the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
Origin
- Europe
- United Kingdom
FCI Nomenclature
- Group III
Physical Characteristics
- Rustic
- Muscular
- Lying
- Short legs
Size
- Little
Height
- 15-35
Adult Weight
- 3-10
Life expectancy
- 12-14
Recommended physical activity
- High
Character
- Strong
- Society
- Very loyal
- Smart
- Active
- Docile
Ideal for
- Children
- Apartment
- House
- Walking
- The hunt
- The guard
- Persons with disabilities
- Therapy
- Elderly people
- Allegric people
- Sports
Recommended climate
- Temperate
Hair type
- Long
- Hard
- Big
Origin of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
The Dandie is a very old breed, there were already specimens in the 18th century because it was at this time that the first Dandie Dinmont Terrier dogs were born. Concretely, these dogs were born on the border between England and Scotland. The breed is the result of crosses between the Bedlington Terrier, the Skye Terrier, and the Scottish Terrier.
This breed has always been little known, but it began to gain popularity among farmers in the region for its skills in ridding their fields of vermin which caused economic losses, but also for its hunting skills otters and badgers. It was in 1814, thanks to the appearance of the breed in the book Guy Mannering by W alter Scott, that the population began to know this little dog.
However, the breed is still uncommon. It has been recognized since 1875 when the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Club was established, making it the third oldest breed club in the world.It is a rare breed, so it is registered with the Kennel Club as one of the breeds originating from the vulnerable British Isles, since there are less than 300 specimens born per year taking into account all of Ireland and the Kingdom. -Uni.
Dandie Dinmont Terrier Characteristics
The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a small dog, weighing between 8 and 11 kilograms and measuring between 20 and 28 centimeters at the withers. The life expectancy of this dog is between 12 and 15 years approximately.
His body is elongated, with rounded shapes and flexible limbs. Its back is low and curved and its legs are short and muscular. Its tail is also short, measuring between 20 and 25 centimeters, it is thicker at the base than at the end and is always straight. Its head is large but proportionate to the rest of the body, its jaws are powerful with developed musculature, it is wider towards the back and narrows towards the eyes.It should be noted that the entire head is covered with hair. The eyes are large, shiny, round and of a very intense hazelnut color. His ears are pendulous and distant from each other.
Despite everything that has been said previously, what most distinguishes the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is his coat. The Dandie's coat is made up of two layers: a thick lower layer that protects it, and an upper layer that feels rougher to the touch. The hair extends in tufts, and is longer on the forelimbs, where it forms fringes about 5 centimeters long. Accepted colors are pepper or mustard. In both cases, there are lighter shades on the forelimb feathering, as well as the lower part of the tail, which is topped with longer, softer feathering.
Dandie Dinmont Terrier character
The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a very determined dog, he has an independent and enterprising character, and he is very courageous and sometimes reckless.However, do not believe that it is a dog that does not need attention, on the contrary, he loves hugs and caresses, that we play with him and spend as much time with his family as possible. possible. He is really affectionate!
These fairly docile little dogs are also smart, so it's easy to teach them the rules of behavior and make sure they get along well with children, the elderly, other dogs and the like pets. They can live in many places as they adapt equally well to small closed spaces like city apartments, as well as to larger, open spaces like houses with land.
Now that you know the Dandie Dinmont's temperament, we'll tell you how to take care of it.
How to take care of a Dandie Dinmont Terrier
One thing to be careful with a Dandie is the maintenance of his coat.Because of his long coat and the two coats that make him up, it's important to brush him often enough to prevent tangles and dirt buildup. Thus, daily optimal brushing is necessary. Regarding baths, it is recommended to wash the dog once a month using a special shampoo adapted to Dandie.
The Dandie Dinmont Terrier has the particularity of hardly shedding any hair, it is one of the hypoallergenic dog breeds and is therefore ideal for people with allergies.
Apart from that, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier needs daily exercise, based on games and walks, to maintain its balanced character and to prevent it from becoming overweight. In the same way, we must feed our animal with quality food, rich in animal protein, giving it the energy it needs to stay active and happy.
Dandie Dinmont Terrier Education
Regarding the training of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier, it is not a difficult dog, it is considered to be an easy dog to train. He is intelligent and observant, which means that he does not need many repetitions to carry out the desired order and obtain the expected result. So much so that the breed has been used on numerous occasions as a therapy dog for patients suffering from various illnesses, such as quadriplegics, people with Cerebral Palsy, autistic children and many more.
Training will be easier if the animal does enough physical exercise to be calm and serene, otherwise the accumulated energy can make training more difficult. The same applies if the animal is too tired and exhausted. Finally, it is important to remember that we must use training techniques that respect the well-being of the animal, therefore positive education, excluding techniques that involve punishment and violence.Positive education is the most appropriate way to educate a Dandie Dinmont Terrier, but also any other dog.
Dandie Dinmont Terrier He alth
These little Terrier dogs are prone to certain diseases, one of them being the famous Cushing's disease. This pathology results in an alteration of the adrenal glands, affecting the production of the hormone called cortisol. The consequences of this alteration are: weight gain that can lead to obesity, hypertension, skin problems and osteoporosis, as well as certain mental disorders.
Another disease that can be worrying is hypothyroidism, which would result in an insufficient production of thyroid hormones. One of the symptoms is also weight gain. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier can also suffer from eye disorders such as glaucoma which can lead to blindness, conditions such as cancers, or herniated discs which can cause irritation of the sciatic nerve, resulting in rather intense discomfort and pain.
It is therefore essential to go regularly to the veterinarian who will do examinations in order to detect the symptoms showing the presence of one of these conditions or others not mentioned. In any case, the faster the pathologies are diagnosed, the better the prognosis will be and the more likely your companion will be to get better.
Photos of Dandie Dinmont Terrier
