The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a breed originating in Great Britain, where it was bred for hunting small rabbits, badgers or otters. Its long, curved body and short legs give it a distinctive silhouette. They are also known for their affectionate and loyal temperament.
General details
Dogs of the breed are small in size and flexible in body. The weight ranges between 8 and 11 kilograms, while the height varies between 20 and 28 centimeters. It is a long-lived dog breed, with a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. They belong to Group 3 of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), which includes Terriers.
Breed history in brief
The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a Scottish breed of dog originating in the 18th century. The breed owes its name to the character Dandie Dinmont from Sir Walter Scott's novel "Guy Mannering", published in 1814. This character was a farmer who owned a pack of Terriers.
Originally, the breed was used for hunting, especially otters and badgers, and was valued for its determination. In the early 20th century, the breed became a popular companion dog and was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1886. Today, however, it is a relatively rare breed, but known for its loyalty, intelligence and affectionate nature.
Breed characteristics
The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a strong breed of dog, with an elongated and flexible body. The head is large but proportionate to the size of the dog, with well developed muscles (especially those of the jaws). The eyes are large, round and dark hazel, while the ears are low set and hang close to the cheeks with a slight rise at the base. The tail is short and curved.
The breed's coat is double, with a soft undercoat and an outer coat of stiffer texture and frizzy appearance. The coat coloration can be peppery (bluish black to silvery gray) or mustard (reddish brown to light fawn).
The Dandie Dinmont Terrier breed is known for its courage, tenacity and affection. They are intelligent, loyal and noble animals, often described as playful and fun-loving. However, they are also known for their independence and stubbornness, which highlights the importance of early socialization and obedience training to ensure proper and balanced behavior.
Common health problems
The breed is characterized by good health. However, they are prone to developing certain disorders or pathologies such as glaucoma, Cushing's disease, patellar luxation, urolithiasis and intrahepatic portosystemic shunt.
In addition, the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) recommends an eye screening examination.
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