Dandie Dinmont Terrier

Also known as: Dandie, Dinmont, Dandy Dinmont

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is the only breed in the world named after a fictional character: Walter Scott's 1815 novel 'Guy Mannering' featured a farmer named Dandie Dinmont who kept dogs of exactly this type, and the breed took the name permanently once the novel became a sensation. The long body on short legs was built for going to ground after badgers and otters, and the distinctive domed 'topknot' of soft hair on the head is the breed's signature feature. The coat, a mix of harsh and soft texture, needs periodic hand-stripping to maintain. An adult male weighs around 11 kilograms, compact but fearless against animals many times its size underground. The breed today is among the rarest terriers in the world, far less common than it was during its nineteenth century heyday. Temperament is independent and tenacious outdoors, often calm and affectionate at home. The long back relative to short legs carries some spinal risk, so keeping weight in check matters. Life expectancy runs 12 to 15 years.

Browse dog food sized right for this breed

Dandie Dinmont Terrier: how old in human years?

20–28 cmHeight
8–11 kgWeight
12–15 yrsLife expectancy

Cesky Terrier

FCI group: Terriers
FCI section: Section 2: Small sized Terriers
FCI: 168
Country of origin: United Kingdom

Energy level

3/5
Trainability

3/5
Family friendly

4/5
Grooming need

3/5

At a glance

Height

Males 20–28 cm

Females 20–28 cm

Weight

Males 8–11 kg

Females 8–11 kg

Life expectancy

12–15 yrs

Coat

crisp mixed with soft (wire-haired)

Temperament & Family Life

Dandie Dinmont Terrier's average temperament and family-life score for this breed is moderate.

Family friendly 4/5
Good with children 3/5
Good with other dogs 2/5
Friendly with strangers 3/5
Intelligence 4/5
Trainability 3/5

Exercise, Energy & Space

Dandie Dinmont Terrier's energy and exercise needs are moderate.

Energy level 3/5
Exercise need 3/5
Apartment friendly 4/5
Prey drive 4/5
Hunting instinct 3/5

Guarding & Alertness

Dandie Dinmont Terrier's guarding and alertness traits are moderate.

Guarding instinct 2/5
Watchfulness 4/5
Barking level 3/5

Grooming & Care

Dandie Dinmont Terrier's grooming needs are low.

Shedding 1/5
Drooling 1/5
Grooming need 3/5

Living with the Dandie Dinmont Terrier

Few dog breeds take their name from a novel: Dandie Dinmont is a farmer in Walter Scott's Guy Mannering who kept exactly this kind of terrier. Farmers on the border between Scotland and England prized them for going after otters and badgers, and this long, low, supple dog still has a true terrier's heart: brave, stubborn and unimpressed by anything bigger than itself.

It is also calmer than many terriers. A daily walk and some play are enough, so a Dandie Dinmont Terrier settles well in a flat as long as it gets its share of outdoors and sniffing. It is clever but opinionated: train it patiently, in short sessions with treats, because pressure only breeds stubbornness. The prey drive is strong, and a cat or a squirrel can suddenly become the most important thing in the world.

At home it is affectionate and gentle, likes to be near its people without being clingy, gets on with children who treat it with respect, and can be choosy with other dogs, refusing to back down even from a much larger one. It makes an excellent watchdog, announcing visitors in a voice far deeper than you would expect. A typical day: a morning walk with plenty of sniffing, an afternoon nap in a patch of sun and an evening beside you on the sofa.

Grooming and coat

The Dandie's coat is a unique blend: roughly two parts harder, crisp hair to one part soft, topped by a silky pale topknot that makes the dog look as if it is wearing a wig. It comes in two colours, pepper and mustard. It sheds very little, but that does not mean it looks after itself: comb it through a few times a week so the soft hair does not mat, especially on the legs, belly and behind the ears. A few times a year the coat is best tidied by hand-stripping, or by a groomer who knows the breed, to keep its texture and outline.

As you comb, run your fingers over the skin for redness, flakes or lumps. The hanging, feathered ears like to hold moisture, so check and sniff them once a week and trim the hair around the ear openings now and then. The large, round eyes should be clear, with no discharge or redness; trim the topknot above them if hair starts falling into them.

How to do it:

By age:

Health and possible conditions

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a small but sturdy dog that, well looked after, lives twelve to fifteen years. The eyes and a few internal conditions are worth knowing about, since their early signs can look like ordinary ageing. If you notice changes, skip the guesswork and talk to your vet.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is when fluid pressure builds up inside the eye and starts to damage the optic nerve. You might notice a red, watering or cloudy eye, a dilated pupil, squinting, or your dog pawing at its face. A Dandie's large, dark eyes are its great expressive feature, and sudden eye pain or change means a vet is needed immediately; if you are getting a puppy, ask the breeder about the parents' health testing.
Lymphoma (lymphosarcoma)

Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system, affecting white blood cells and the lymph nodes. The first thing an owner may find is painless, enlarged lymph nodes under the jaw, in front of the shoulders or behind the knees, sometimes with tiredness and weight loss. When you groom your Dandie, run your hand over those spots too, and show any new lump to your vet.
Cushing's disease

Cushing's disease is when the body makes too much cortisol, the stress hormone. A dog may start drinking and peeing much more, beg for food constantly, develop a sagging belly and a thinning coat. In an older Dandie these changes are easy to put down to age, so if the water bowl is emptying faster than it used to, talk to your vet.

Food for medium breeds — cheapest per kg

This list is chosen by the breed's weight (11 kg) rather than the breed itself: shops label food by dog size, so every breed of the same size gets the same list. Prices are updated daily.

≈ 160 g of dry food a day, from €8,75 a month For a neutered, normally active 9,5 kg dog. Calculate for your dog