Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Dandie Dinmont Terrier
The breed Dandie Dinmont terrier was initially bred for hunting small games, and over the years, it has become more of a house pet and show dog. This breed has a very long body and short legs. They are commonly good-natured, playful, and loving but can also be somewhat stubborn and needs an assertive & patient trainer. It is an excellent bond with the children.
Origin
This particular breed originated on the borders of Scotland in the 1700s. It is one of the breeds to take its name from a character in literature, and the name is from a fictional character in the novel Guy Mannering by dog-lover Sir Walter Scott.
Size
The typical height of this breed is 8–11 inches, i.e. 20–28 cm, & they can weigh anywhere between 18–24 pounds, i.e. 8.2–10.9 kg (male & female). They have short legs & an elongated body. While Dandie generally is a hardy breed, they have issues climbing stairs.
Coat
The breed has a silky coat that forms a topknot on the dog’s head. The coat comes in two colour ranges, pepper & mustard. Pepper ranges from dark blueish black to very light silvery grey, whereas mustard can vary from reddish brown to fawn, with the head appearing almost white. The legs and feet are typically darker than the body’s colour that slowly blended into the legs. The depth of the coat can reach up to 2 inches, i.e. 5.1 cm. Due to their fur coat, they can be pretty labour-intensive to groom.
Temperament
Dandie makes both a good companion & a guard dog but is among the most submissive terrier breeds. They are usually relatively undemanding of their owners. They do not like to be left alone, so the family that is gone often may want to provide another partner. They can be good with cats if appropriately trained, but one should not keep them around smaller animals such as hamsters or rats. They are not quite friendly with other animals and can turn ferocious. However these dogs are relatively calmer than most other terrier breeds.
Care
The dog owner should build his routine care to keep the dog stay healthier & happier during her lifetime. Make sure to watch her diet, get plenty of exercise, brush his teeth and coat. The dog owner should feed a high-quality diet appropriate for their dog’s age. Dog owners should clean their ears at least once a week, and this is applicable for puppies as well.
Health
The breed’s long body can develop back problems, specifically with the intervertebral discs in the dog’s back. Symptoms depend on what part of the dog’s back is affected, including paralysis with loss of bladder and bowel control in the worst cases.
However, minor problems affecting this dog include hypothyroidism, primary closed angle glaucoma & Cushing syndrome. To combat glaucoma in the dog, the breed clubs recommend that Dandies should have a procedure called a gonioscopy performed on them at regular intervals throughout their lives.
