Dandie Dinmont Terrier breed information, pictures and more...

The solid head is covered with a distinctive silky topknot. The legs are short and muscular. The head is large, but still in good proportion to the body. The hair on the underside is softer than on the upper body, and the hair on the top of the head and upper ears is even softer and silkier.

Dandie Dinmont Terrier comes in two colors, mustard or pepper. Mustard puppies are born dark brown and lighten into varying shades of red at adulthood. Pepper puppies are born black and tan, with a silvering gene. Adult pepper Dandies have the same coloring as the salt & pepper Schnauzer. The topknot and furnishings on pepper Dandies are silver and on mustard Dandies they are cream colored. They are loving and stubborn at the same time.

These dogs are playful and intelligent companions. They thrives on human companionship and should not be left alone.

Pepper (from bluish black to pale silvery gray) or mustard (from reddish brown to pale fawn).

Soft, linty undercoat and harder topcoat, not wiry and feeling crisp to the hand. It needs to be brushed regularly and should have professional grooming. Dead hair should be plucked out once or twice a year. Show dogs require much more grooming. This breed sheds little to no hair.

This is a healthy breed, although hypothyroidism is not uncommon in the older dog. A few lines have had incidences of glaucoma and epilepsy. Dogs that are overweight and unexercised can have back problems. To minimize the risk of your [breed] developing any hereditary health issues, you should buy a Dandie puppy from a reputable breeder.

The Dandie Dinmont is affectionate and fun-loving. This dog makes a great companion dog. This lively, plucky, determined and willful dog is independent and intelligent. They are reserved with strangers and protective of family and home.

These little dogs are good with all well-behaved children and babies as long as they are raised with them from puppyhood. Some males can be aggressive with other male dogs in the household. It is best not to keep two intact male dogs together. He/she should not be trusted with non-canine pets. They will be okay with cats if raised with from puppyhood.

Dandie has a big bark for its size. They are not difficult to train, but allowance must be made for the fact that they can be very stubborn and not keen on obedience.

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is good for apartment life. These dogs are fairly active indoors. Do not let this dog off the leash in an unsafe area because she/he will take off after a cat or other animal.