Characteristics

Originally bred to go to ground, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a long, low-stationed working terrier with a curved outline. The distinctive head with silken topknot is large but in proportion to the size of the dog. The dark eyes are large and round with a soft, wise expression. The sturdy, flexible body and scimitar shaped tail are covered with a rather crisp double coat, either mustard or pepper in color.

Owning

The Dandie Dinmont has a will of his own and will sometimes obey a command reluctantly. The Dandie's body coat is a mixture of hard and soft hairs giving the coat a crisp texture. The intelligent, independent Dandie Dinmont Terrier has a determined friendly disposition, he makes a wonderful dog to live with, but if he ever encounters a mouse or a rat his hunting instincts come alive, so always keep your Dandie Dinmont Terrier on a leash or in a fenced-in, dog-safe area. Regular coat care is necessary for the Dandie.

Did You Know

The Dandie Dinmont is intelligent, fond of children, and an excellent guard. The breed got its name from a funny character in a book written in 1814 by Sir Walter Scott. The character's name was Dandie Dinmont.