Origin

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier lived in the border of England and Scotland. This is a very old breed and it is said that the Scotch terrier which is not found now and the Skye Terrier are the ancestors of this breed. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier was mainly used by the gypsies and the farmers for hunting small animals.

General Description

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a small in size. Its length is more than its height. It has a stout and muscular body. They have short muscled limbs and big face. they have a wide head and a short muzzle with a big black nose on the tip. their eyes are hazel coloured and they have pendant shaped ears hanging by their head. They have a long tail which is curved and their coat is 2 inches in length. They have double coat. Their upper coat is harsh but the Dandie Dinmont Terrier has smooth undercoat. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is found in two colours like pepper and mustard but their colour may change as they grow up.

Character

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a very enthusiastic breed and loves to play. They are good to children and other dogs if socialized properly. But it is recommended that they should not be left alone with small animals as things can get worse. They are very much loyal and devoted to their families and prove to be great companions. This breed is very much fun loving and independent in nature. Generally they are very intelligent and that is the reason training them is easy. Some may be a bit stubborn and so not all listen to all commands. They do not like strangers much and they are very protective of their family.

Temperament

This breed is a very intelligent an obedient breed but some may be independent of nature and a bit stubborn. They might not listen to all your commands. But still I would say that training them is not a big deal. Generally they are good to children and other dogs if they are trained properly from an early age. But it should be kept in mind that they are not at all safe for non canine animals. This breed is very playful and enthusiastic. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is devoted and loyal to their family and they are also protective at the same time. Because of their protective nature they have proved to be great watch dogs.

Training

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is an intelligent breed but still they are sometimes stubborn and don’t listen to commands. They should not be treated harshly, but a firm as well as fair training is required.

Health

Generally this breed is a healthy one but some of them may be affected by hypothyroid, epilepsy and Glaucoma. Their average life span is 12-15 years.