Little Pawz -- Dandie Dinmont Terrier -- Small Dogs -- Small Dog Breed Information -- Toy Dogs -- Miniature Dogs -- Dog Breeds

Although once popular as a badger and fox hunter, the Dandie Dinmont is now kept mainly as a household pet: indeed, they fare better indoors as a single pet than living with their fellows in kennels. They do, however, tend to be a little suspicious of strangers, giving all their devotion to their owner. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is an excellent guard dog with a bark that should deter any burglar.

Size
Height: 8 – 11 inches (20 – 28 cm) at the withers
Length from top of shoulder to root of tail should not be more than twice the dog's height, but preferably 1 – 2 inches (2.5 – 5 cm) less.
Weight: 18 lbs (8.2 kg)

Coat and Colour
The coat is a very important point; the hair should be about 2 inches (5 cm) long; that from skull to root of tail, a mixture of hardish and soft hair, which gives a sort of crisp feel to the hand. The hair should not be wiry; the coat is what is termed piley or pencilled. The hair on the underpart of the body is lighter in colour and softer than on the top. The skin on the belly accords with the colour of dog. The colour is pepper or mustard. The pepper ranges from a dark bluish black to a light silvery grey, the intermediate shades being preferred, the body colour coming well down the shoulder and hips, gradually merging into the leg colour. The mustards vary from a reddish brown to a pale fawn, the head being creamy white, the legs and feet of a shade darker than the head. The claws are dark as in other colours. (Nearly all Dandie Dinmont Terriers have some white on the chest, and some also have white claws).

Exercise
The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is an adaptable dog and will be happy whether put to work or enjoying the role of an old lady's pet. It would, however, be unfair to keep this active, inquisitive breed in a home without a yard.

Grooming
Grooming is not a difficult task for the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. You only need a stiff brush and comb. Old hairs should be removed with finger and thumb, allowing the undercoat to come through. Don't use a trimming knife on your Dandie Dinmont as this will ruin the coat. Brush this small dog daily for good looks.

Feeding
Recommended would be 1/2 – 1 can (13.3 oz 376 g size) name-brand dog food with a biscuit, or 1 1/2 cups of a dry dog food. Always provide an ample supply of fresh water for your Dandie Dinmont Terrier.

Origin and History
Most Dandie Dinmont Terriers can be traced back to the late 1700's, to an individula named Piper Allan who had two Dandie Dinmonts called 'Charlie' and 'Peachem'. Also well known is James Davidson, who was renowned for his pepper and mustard terriers, so called because of their colour: it was from Davidson that Sir Walter Scott acquired his dogs, and it was from a character in his novel, Guy Mannering that the breed received its name.

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