The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is the only breed of dog named after a fictional character. These proud, yet friendly terriers love being around people – including children. They are also able to live peacefully with other pets provided they are raised with them. This includes other dogs – a trait that not all terriers possess. Their affectionate nature doesn’t extend to rodents or small animals when they are in hunting mode though – they will quickly show their tough and tenacious side when it comes to ratting! They were originally bred to hunt everything from rats, rabbit and otters to foxes and badgers. They would also “go to ground”, meaning they would dig their way into rodent holes and exterminate whatever they found. This said, many Dandies are still able to live with indoor cats as long as they are raised with them.
The Dandie is very versatile and able to live in many different types of home setting as long as he receives a moderate amount of exercise. He is not known for being hyper or spastic in the house like many other dogs of his size. Two short walks a day is usually sufficient to keep him exercised, although he may appreciate a game of fetch in between as well! As might be surmised by his size and his long, low body, this is not a jogging companion and is better suited to someone who prefers slower-paced walks. Additionally, because of his high prey drive, he should be kept on leash or in a secure fenced yard. After coming back home, many Dandies love some good “couch potato time”.
Dandies are a healthy breed that often lives to be about 14 years old, with some living even longer. There are no very common health issues with the breed although responsible breeders usually screen for glaucoma as it occasionally shows up in some lines. One of the biggest reasons that the breed is healthy is because they are not very common, which means that the vast majority of breeders are in it because they love the breed and not because they are trying to make a quick buck breeding whatever Dandie they can find regardless of health (common in the more popular breeds). The only issue with the breed being less popular is that a potential owner may have to wait longer in order to get a puppy.
Dandie Dinmonts are a fairly quiet breed and aren’t normally nuisance barkers. They will bark when someone comes to the door, however, and their deep voices make them sound bigger than they actually are. This makes them ideal watchdogs because many would-be intruders are inclined to skip houses that sounds like a big dog resides within (although in this case the dog is actually quite small). Despite being sturdy, courageous and tough, their size keeps them from being too useful as a full-on guard dog.
The coat of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier does not shed, making them great possibilities for those allergic to dog dander. The weather-resistant topcoat also doesn’t hold on to dirt very easily, meaning that they can often be cleaned with a quick brushing after any mud has dried out. This is not a wash-and-wear breed, however. They need to be professionally groomed three or four times a year in order to keep their unique appearance and they do need regular brushing in-between grooming sessions. The dead coat needs to be stripped out during the big grooming sessions since it doesn’t shed out naturally.
The Dandie is smart, however like most terriers he is also independent and willful when it comes to training. He requires a lot of motivation to work but once that motivation is given he can become eager to please. Obedience training is highly recommended for all dogs, but some breeds may need it a little bit more so that they don’t become too stubborn and hard to handle. This definitely holds true for the Dandie.
