Dandie Dinmont Terrier - Dog Breeds

By John M Williams

Group: Terrier

Weight: 18-24 lbs

Height: 8-11 inches

Overview

It is believed that the Dandie Dinmont terrier is family of the now died out Scotch Terrier. They use to be similar to the Yorkshire, Cairn or Silky terriers of today. The current Dandie Dinmont terriers are named after a personality in a very popular Sir Walter Scott book that was written in the early 1900's. At that time, they were mostly bred by British Gypsies and used for the hunting of rodents. When dog breeding became trendy in the 19th century, many people began keeping Dandies. These dogs remained popular into the 20th century.

Temperament

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier makes wonderful companion dogs for most families, even those in small apartments and homes. They are affectionate and kind, and they will bond strongly with family members. These dogs are very clever and also stubborn at times. They love to play and are always keen on pleasing their owners. Although they are eager to satisfy, if there is something that calls for their attention, it will be almost impossible to call them off. They usually do not do well in obedience and should be trained correctly from puppyhood onwards. If socialised properly, these dogs will not be aggressive toward other dogs.

Care
The Dandie Dinmont has a very silky coat, but it some parts it can become matted and tangled, especially when not groomed regularly. The ears of the Dandie Dinmont should be checked often for wax build-up. Their nails are usually white and can be cut with ease. It is very important to get your puppy used to having his or her paws handled to make possible the cutting of their nails.
Training

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier will need a firm but also hand in training. They can be fairly stubborn at times, but training is fairly simple for this clever breed. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier does not do very well with obedience training and have a very short attention span. Dandie Dinmonts are not very interested in training, so it is therefore important to be firm and consistent. Training should be fun for this breed as they love to play and run around.

Health problems
Dandie Dinmont terriers are in general a healthy breed, but there are a few lines of the breed that has inborn health problems. Epilepsy is one of these problems, but most dogs will respond to medication. Some of the adult dogs may also develop cataracts. You should contact your vet for an exam if your dog has signs of cloudiness in the eyes.

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