Other names/Nicknames:
- Pepper and Mustard terrier
- Dandie
Country/Date of origin:
- Britain (border area between Scotland and England)
- 16th century
Height:
- 8 to 11 inches at shoulder
Weight:
- 18 to 24 pounds
Personality:
- One-person dog.
- Inclined to be stubborn.
History:
Originally bred to hunt small game, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is as hard-bitten as the varmints that share its homeland in the border area between England and Scotland. This farmer’s dog became the darling of country squires in 1814 when it was mentioned in Sir Walter Scott’s novel, Guy Mannering. Popularity was immediate, and the little varmint dogs became the darling of urban society as well. They were one of the first breeds accepted in the American Kennel Club (AKC).
Body Type:
- Unlike most terriers, the Dandie is a dog of curves instead of angles.
- Short of leg and long of body, the Dandie has a large head and big, soulful eyes.
- Pendulous ears are not altered.
- Long tail is not altered.
Coat:
- An unusual mixture of hard and soft hairs, which feels crisp but not harsh to the touch. The ratio of hard hair to soft is 2:1.
- A long, silky topknot is the breed’s hallmark.
- Dandies require professional grooming.
- Two coat colors are permitted: pepper and mustard.
Health and Wellness:
- Like most long bodied dogs, Dandies often suffer from disc disease.
- Can become obese if pampered.
What you should know:
- The only dog to take its name from a literary character. In Guy Mannering (Sir Walter Scott’s 1814 novel), a farmer named Dandie Dinmont had game little terriers called Pepper and Mustard. The breed became known as Dandie Dinmont’s terriers.
- Stairs can be a problem for an older Dandie.
- Puppies that are black and tan at birth turn into Peppers and those that are sable, become Mustards. The transformation takes about nine months.
- Late bloomers. Not mature till they are three-years old.
