The history of the origin of the dandy dinmont terrier, the standard of the exterior, character, health, advice on care and training, interesting facts. Purchase price. Looking at the dandy dinmont terrier - the dog of the "old lady of England", it is impossible to restrain a smile, this creature has such a funny and extraordinary appearance. Dandy-terriers in all their appearance resemble a dachshund, "dressed up" in a dandy fancy dress with a false mustache, beard and a magnificent original hat. How can you not smile? But a closer acquaintance with this unique dog shows that behind his rather amusing appearance there is an extraordinary mind, a very serious character, a loyal soul and an infinitely brave heart.
The origin story of the dandy dinmont terrier
Starting the story about this amazing pet with a unique appearance, it is worth noting that it is difficult even for recognized specialists to distinguish the true story of their origin from legends and fictions that have been layered over the centuries. However, this is often the case with old dog breeds, when truth is inseparable from fiction. Knowing this, we will try to tell you the most true story of all known about dandy terriers.
It is believed that for the first time such extraordinary terriers appeared in Scotland at the turn of the XVI-XVII centuries. And the reason for their appearance was quite prosaic - the need to create a special breed of dogs to fight hordes of rats. These rodents annoyed in those days the inhabitants of the villages and cities of Scotland and Northern England. What kind of dog breeds were involved in this ancient selection, history is silent.
Modern research experts believe that dandy terriers were obtained from the crossing of an old Scottish terrier (not to be confused with a modern scotch terrier) with otter hounds (otterhounds) and bedlington terriers. Perhaps it was so. Moreover, the quality of the dandy terrier's wool is similar to the quality of the otterhound's fur, and the famous "hat" on the dog's head has an almost perfect resemblance to the same "headdress" of Bedlington. That's just from whom the dandy dinmont inherited his short legs and remains a mystery.
And if not everything is clear with the true ancestors of the dandy dinmont terrier, then the researchers have long figured out the origin of the very original name of the breed. It must be said that only a few breeds of dogs are known in the world, in the name of which the name of a literary character is immortalized. In this case, the name of the New Scottish Terriers is directly related to the historical novel "Guy Manning or the Astrologer", published in 1815, by Sir Walter Scott himself. The novel was very popular in Great Britain (the entire edition was sold out on the very first day). One of the heroes of the novel was a character nicknamed Dandy Diamond, an avid dog lover and hunter, containing a whole pack (the so-called "immortal six") of hunting dogs, later called Dandy Dinmont Terriers. "They were not afraid of anyone with wool." So it is written about these dogs in a literary work. Well, the name of their owner was subsequently firmly entrenched in the dogs themselves, becoming the original name of the new breed - Dandie-Dinmond-Terrier.
In addition to hunting rats and mice, dinmont terriers (like dachshunds) were subsequently trained on all burrowing animals found in Scotland and England. And these fearless little dogs successfully coped with large badgers and foxes, driving them out of their burrows.
For many years, short-footed terriers were especially popular among hunters, roaming artisans and artists, as well as Scottish "travelers" (or simply gypsies). After all, such an intelligent dog not only helped to get food, but also desperately boldly guarded the property, informed in advance about the danger that lay in wait on the deserted road.
But, even with such a long history of existence, the breed received official recognition only in the 20th century, when in 1918 it was finally registered by the main English dog breeding club - the Kennel Club. Over time, assessment standards have been created. Currently, the breed is actively gaining popularity around the world.
Purpose and use of the Dandy Dinmont Terrier
Terriers with an aristocratic name are simply irreplaceable in the fight against rodents of all stripes and sizes. They also do an excellent job with the duties of an aggressive hunting dog. They can be good watchmen and wonderful companion dogs.
Dandy Dinmont Terrier external standard
These animals have a small size and an absolutely unique and somewhat amusing exterior (in appearance, these dogs are similar to a wire-haired dachshund). Dandy Dinmont Terriers are quite miniature, the height at the withers rarely exceeds 25 centimeters (and, the smaller they are, the more valuable). But with such a small growth, the dandy's body weight is quite decent and reaches 8-11 kg.
- Head of medium size, in proportion to the body, but due to the short limbs it looks large. The shape of the skull is broad with a distinctly convex forehead. The muzzle is well defined. The bridge of the nose is wide. The nose is distinct, wide, black. The cheekbones are pronounced, tapering gradually towards the muzzle. The jaws are very strong. The teeth are powerful, with well-developed canines, well closed, and have a scissor bite. The inside of the mouth is usually dark or black on the palate, regardless of the overall coat color.
- Eyes in the dandy terrier they are low and wide apart, large, round, not protruding. When judged, preference is given to dogs with dark walnut eyes. The color of the animal's eyes is not tied to the color of the fur. The look is very intelligent, attentive, calm.
- Ears displaced far towards the occiput, pendant, wide at the base and slightly tapering towards the ends. Ear length reaches 7, 5-10 centimeters. The ears are covered with wool and have a number of nuances that are mandatory for the breed, both in the length of the coat and in color.
- Neck very well developed, muscular, strong, looks massive (almost equal in width to the back).
- Torso long, muscular and lithe. The chest is rounded and well developed. The back of the animal is strong. The back line resembles an arch, with the top point at the place of the dog's lower back.
- Tail in dandy dinmont terriers, it is even, without kinks, reaching a length of 25 centimeters. It is thick at the base, retains its thickness to almost half its length, then gradually tapers towards the tip. The tail is medium in height. Usually, the dog holds the tail just above the level of the back, when excited - upright.
- Limbs short, set wide apart, very muscular. The hind legs are slightly longer than the front ones. There should be no dewclaws. Paw pads are dense, well developed.
- Wool double, with soft undercoat and coarse guard hair. To the touch, the guard hair resembles a thin wire, although not so rigid. The fur growing on the back of the dog should be longer, flowing in strands. The hair of the forelegs forms feathers up to 5 centimeters long. On the head of a dandy dinmont terrier is a mandatory "breed hat" of a fluffy look. Funny "strands-tassels" on the ears. The fur on the face forms a kind of "mustache" and "beard", giving the dog a seriously comical look.
As for the color, the standards allow two main options: mustard (Mustard) and pepper (Pepper).
- Mustard - a color that has a variety of shades from reddish brown to light fawn. The "cap" on the dog's head has a light cream shade. The ends of the paws have a darker color of the fur.
- Pepper the shade has quite a few options and transition colors. Basic range: from silvery gray to bluish black ("raven wing"). The breed feature "hairstyle" on the head is usually light or silvery-gray.
In dogs of all permissible colors, the feathering of the coat on the forelegs is always lighter than the main color. White spots on the chest and small spots on the legs are acceptable. Completely white feet are a serious fault.
Dandy Dinmont Terrier personality
The small size and exterior, like a child's toy, of the dandy terrier is very deceiving. This dog is not at all a small decorative object that comes to life. The character of this "toy" is not at all toy, but exclusively fighting and fearless. In courage and determination, this small dog is in no way inferior to larger service dogs and always strives to fend for itself. Moreover, his fangs and grip are just what you need. The dandy dinmont terrier is always ready to fearlessly rush to attack a larger dog if it seems to him that he is encroaching on his territory or is capable of causing harm to the owner. A large warlike spirit is hidden in the small body of this dog. Therefore, it is better to walk such a daredevil exclusively on a leash. So it will be calmer for everyone.
At home, the behavior of the dandy terrier is somewhat different. He is very energetic and is not averse to frolic, play pranks, race with children, and finally, even thoroughly ruffle your sneakers. But all this is not out of malice, and not at all out of harm. It's just that his character is so cheerful and a little playful.
These original dogs in "hats" are quite sociable and easily converge with other pets. Although, sometimes "for the sake of order", the dandy dinmont terrier can still chase your beloved cat through the rooms (so that he knows his place and avoids sour cream). But this is so, nothing more than a game. But with mice, rats and hamsters, these dogs have a completely different conversation. And if you have such pets, then carefully protect them from the attention of your little terrier. Do not forget, because it was just created for the extermination of rodents.
And also these dogs are very independent (like a true dandy), businesslike, and sometimes headstrong. Therefore, starting such a pet, you must immediately accustom him to the arrangement of the home hierarchy. Otherwise, growing up, the dandy dinmont terrier will definitely try to occupy a dominant position in your home "pack". However, with proper education and training, this happens extremely rarely.
Animals are distinguished by a special devotion to the owner and to his family members. They will never allow anyone to offend them, always fearlessly defending themselves. They are always on guard, and therefore are often overly suspicious. The trust of the dandy must be won over a long period of time. Love of this decorative pet cannot be bought with a one-time treat.
Dinmont Terrier is a very cheerful dog, very hardy and energetic, adoring movement and active games. Therefore, such an active dog is hardly suitable for an elderly person or leading a sedentary lifestyle. But for sportsmen and hunters - he is a real find.
The original recognizable appearance, cheerful disposition, quick-wittedness, courage and dedication of the dandy dinmont terriers, their numerous talents have won the love of dog connoisseurs all over the world.
Dog health
"Scottish handsome in a hat" can be called an absolutely healthy dog. Nature has worked a lot to improve his health, naturally rejecting all the weak and sick individuals of the breed over the centuries-old history.
The elongated body of a dog can sometimes predispose to diseases of the intervertebral discs (similar problems exist in dachshunds).
The only breed nuance that you need to pay attention to is the low pain threshold, which is characteristic of most terriers and often leads to unnoticed injuries in a timely manner. The average life span of dandy dinmont terriers is 12-14 years.
Dandy Dinmont Terrier Care Tips
In care, these animals are absolutely unpretentious, easily adaptable, both for living indoors (apartment or house) and outdoors. For complete happiness, the dog needs the opportunity to walk, the ability to run and frolic.
There were also no problems with grooming the coat. The Dandy Dinmont Terrier has an excellent harsh crisp coat that requires minimal combing and occasional bathing (as it gets dirty). The greatest amount of combing is required for the silky hair on the dog's head - the famous “cap” and strands of hair on the ears. With regard to haircuts, the opinions of experts were divided. Some recommend to be sure to cut the animal two or three times a year, while others believe that it is only necessary to trim, removing dead hairs.
The diet of Dandy Dinmont Terriers is no different from that of similar energetic dogs. Regardless of what kind of food you feed your pet (natural or industrial), the diet should be of high quality, well balanced in the composition of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, saturated with minerals and vitamins and energetically valuable (to replenish energy costs).
Nuances of training a dandy dinmont terrier
Dandy terriers are the smartest creatures that can understand and master quite complex tricks and commands in a matter of minutes. Therefore, it is easy to train them even for people with minimal knowledge of dog training. Especially if you do not aim to make your pet a circus or hunting dog (here, of course, you cannot do without an experienced dog handler).
Interesting Dandy Dinmont Terrier Facts
The great Scottish poet and writer Walter Scott has repeatedly turned to the image of a funny dog, which has become almost a symbol of Scottish hunting dogs. Here are the words in which he described the appearance of the dandy dinmont terrier in one of his poems:
"He evolved from the Scottish hillsideThe gray mist forming his bodyA bunch of lichen his top knotCrooked juniper stems his forelegsAnd a wet bramble his nose."
"He seemed to emerge from a Scottish hill, gray mists created his body, a lichen bush - top notes on his head, crooked juniper stalks - front legs, and wet blackberries - a nose."
Price when buying a dandy dinmont terrier puppy
Dogs of this breed are extremely popular in their homeland in Scotland. The largest population of these animals is located there. The average price for a purebred dandy dinmont terrier puppy in the UK is around £ 600-700.
In the CIS countries and in Russia, dog lovers have learned about this breed relatively recently. But the breed came to the court and managed to fall in love. Kennels and fan clubs dedicated to dandy terriers have appeared on the territory of the CIS. The cost of puppies of this Scottish breed with average breed characteristics in Russia is in a fairly wide price range - from 20,000 to 60,000 rubles.
More about the Dandy Dinmont Terrier breed in this video:
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