Breed: The exact origin of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is, unfortunately, unknown. Today we can only assume that the modern look of a Dandie Dinmont was obtained by interbreeding of several wire-haired Terriers, that were living at that time in the border areas between England and Scotland.

Already in the eighteenth century the Dandie Dinmont Terriers were owned by gypsies from the border areas, by the traveling craftsmen and by strolling musicians. This small-sized dogs were not only used for the difficult field work - hunting otters and badgers, but also for the demonstrations of hunting for the badgers - during this demonstrations at that time there have been made very substantial rates - which became finally the prototype of a modern competition.

Despite his sort of unprepossessing appearance, our hero - the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is connected with a curious and interesting story, which is directly related to Sir Walter Scott - the Scottish poet and writer, author of historical novels such as "Ivanhoe", "The Lady Of The Lake", "The Heart Of Midlothian" and, of course, "Guy Mannering," which actually describes the rural life in England at the beginning of the XIX century. One of the heroes of that novel, people out of a desire to laugh were teasing and naming him Dandie Dinmont.

A real person - John Davidson - had served as the prototype for Dandie Dinmont. On his grave beside his real name there is engraved: "Dandie Dinmont." In the novel "Guy Mannering", Dandie Dinmont was known as a great lover of hunting and he was known to be the original person and a patriot. He kept the "immortal six" Dandie Dinmont Terriers, which, like any respectable pack, had the following hierarchy: Old Pepper, Old Mustard, Young Pepper, Young Mustards, Baby Pepper, Baby Mustard. This close-knit pack was the source of many pleasant hours of hunting for Dandie Dinmont.

And about this great pack of four-legged friends with a truly Scottish excellent sense of humor there was said, "They (the" immortal six ") are not afraid of anyone on whom the fur grows."

Dandie Dinmont was training his pets to hunt all burrowing animals, starting with rats and ending with badgers and foxes. His love for his Terriers truly reflected the British passion for hunting with this kind of dogs. Thus, Sir Walter Scott became the "godfather" for a very old breed of dogs, which, like the Border Terrier, was developed in the border region between Scotland and England - in the Cheviot and Teviotdale hills. The exact origin of those dogs is unknown. Dandie Dinmont Terrier is most likely the result of mixing different types of hunting Terriers, whose remains were found in Conquetdale, in Northumberland, on the border between Scotland and England.

One of the tenants named Piper has devoted his life exclusively to these dogs (1704). His Terriers were known throughout the county. Many squires took his dogs to rent for the destruction of rodents in their homes and estates. Duke of the Northumberland lands (1749-1766) offered him to trade the farm for a dog named Hitchem, but received the following reply: "No, my lord! I keep your farm, but how can I manage it without a dog?"

For the first time about the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is mentioned in the XVII century. For many years this breed was popular among the gypsies, traveling craftsmen and musicians. Dogs were used by them, not only for hunting badgers and otters, but also as a source of livelihood while playing the sweepstakes. The breed "Dandie Dinmont Terrier" was oficially registered with the Kennel Club only in 1918.

General Features: This sturdy, hardy, lively and bold dog is endowed with a strong character. Dandie Dinmont Terrier can make independent decisions and even insist, but still this dog is very affectionate and loyal with his owner. Merry and cheerful companion, the Dendie Dinmont Terrier is a great hunter for rodents and small predators, and a good keeper, endowed with a pretty strong voice.

The body of Dandie Dinmont Terrier is long, low-lying. His neck is very strong and muscular. Ribs protruding. Topline somewhat curved, gradually rises from the withers to the back.

Legs of this Terrier are short, well muscled, with strong bones. The front legs are slightly longer, than a hind legs. A powerful and big head of Dendie Dinmont must not contradict to the proportions of the dog and have a well developed muscles - especially the jaw. Forehead is broad between the ears gradually tapering towards the eyes, the distance from the inner corner of the eye to occiput is the distance between the ears. The forehead is convex, almost dome-shaped. The head is surmounted by a "cap" of a soft silky coat, which can not be just simply called "the crest". The lighter those "cap" is in tone and the more elaborate, the better. Nose of a Dandie Dinmont Terrier is black.

Eyes are large, round, wide set. Dark hazel in color. Ears are set low, hanging close to the cheeks. Color of the coat on the ears should match the color of the dog. In dogs of a pepper color ears are "dark pepper", in dogs of a mustard color - "dark mustard".

Tail of a Dandie Dinmont Terrier is rather short, about 20-25 cm. Undocked. The coat is relatively long, stiff, somewhat slightly lifted. On the rear side of limbs - feathering. Undercoat is soft and silky to the touch. Colors of the coat of a Dandie Dinmont Terrier are called "pepper" or "mustard." "Pepper" varies from blue - black and silver - gray, with the gradation preferred, "mustard" - from reddish brown to pale fawn, with hair on the head of a white color with a cream shade, and darker shades on the legs. Claws are dark, as in the other colors. Many Dandie Dinmont Terriers have some white markings on the chest, and sometimes - white claws. White paws, however, are considered a disadvantage.

Temperament: Dandie Dinmont Terrier in the past used to be a famous hunter for badgers and foxes. Nowadays this wonderful dog is mostly purchased as a show dog or a family pet. By the way, he feels much better, being the only dog ??????in the house than in the company of his kinsmen in open cages or kennels.

Most of the people he is inclined to treat suspiciously, giving his undivided love only to his owner. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a great keeper, whose barking will make any intruders to think twice before they would enter the house.

Dandie Dinmont Terrier has a very special shape of a head - characteristic to this breed - a large dome-shaped head is covered with a cap of silky hair. Add to this quite big, rounded, intelligent eyes, the elongated body with short, strong legs and a thick wiry coat, which protects this Terrier against the bad weather.

The growth should be between 20 and 28 cm with body length from the withers to the tail, that should not exceed twice of the height, even better if it will be 2, 5-5 cm shorter. The perfect weight for the Dandie Dinmont Terrier in a good working condition is close to 8,2 kilograms.

Dandy Dinmont Terrier is popular with many breeders, primarily due to his good nature - this is one very lovable and cheerful dog.

They often become a beloved family pets, as they have boundless energy and mobility. Dendie Dinmont Terriers are very much devoted to their owners, this dogs are very gentle and affectionate, although pretty much reserved and suspicious with strangers, but not for long - as soon, as Dandie Dinmont Terrier will become familiar with his owner's friends, he will percept them all as a part of "his" family.

For centuries, these dogs were a great hunters for rats and mice. This ability, they have not lost to this day. Dandie Dinmont Terrier - is always a biggest enemy for martens, weasels and skunks. But first of all today these funny dogs ??????(long body, very short legs, crest on the head) are prized as a merry companions.

This dog in most of the cases chooses one person from the family and remains devoted to this person always, but first the future owner of the Dendie Dinmont Terrier must win and deserve his love and respect.

This is a very good-natured dog, who gets along equally well as a working dog - hunter for foxes and badgers -, and in the role of a four-legged favorite of a lonely, elderly person. But to keep this ajile, curious dog in the house without a garden is not worth it.

Grooming of a Dandie Dinmont Terrier is not very difficult. The only tools needed for this - a scrubbing brush and a special comb. Dead hair should be removed by pinching with your thumb and forefinger, so as not to impede the growth of the undercoat.

Do not use any blades to trim the Dandie Dinmont, because it will spoil his coat. If you will just stick to the daily brushing, your Dandie Dinmont Terrier will always look great.

Health problems: Generally the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a very healthy and hardy breed. Beware, that you must not overfeed them, because the overweight may cause the dogs of this breed a serious back issues.

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