How to Identify a Dandie Dinmont Terrier

The Dandie Dinmont terrier is an independent breed. It is determined, reserved and intelligent, and combines those qualities with a tenacity and boldness in a working situation. The Dandie Dinmont terrier is a working terrier that was bred to do ground work and is therefore a long, low terrier.

Instructions

1. Look at the size and proportion of the Dandie Dinmont terrier. This breed is only 8 to 11 inches at the top of the shoulders. The length is measured from the top of the shoulders to the root of the tail, and is a couple inches less than twice the height. This sturdy and well-boned breed should weigh 18 to 24 pounds.

2. Make sure the head is large, yet in proportion to the dog’s size. It should have well-developed muscles. The breed’s expression should show determination and intelligence—and at the same time, dignity. The large eyes are round and bright and should not protrude. They are set wide apart and look forward. The eyes are rich hazel. The ears are set back and are wide apart and hang close to the cheek. They should be wide at the base and come to a point and three to four inches in length. The deep, strong muzzle should be 3/5 the length of the skull and leads to a large, black or dark-colored nose.

3. Look at the body of the Dandie Dinmont terrier. The muscular neck is well-developed and shows great power of resistance. It is moderate in length an well-set into the shoulders. Both sides of the long backbone are well-muscled. The tail is 8 to 10 inches and is thick at the root. As you move down the tail, it gets thicker for about four inches, then tapers off to a point. It is carried in a curve a bit above the level of the body. The front legs are short and have good muscular development. The feet point forward or may point a bit outward. The rear legs are somewhat longer than the front legs, and have well-rounded, muscular upper and lower thighs. The round feet are well-cushioned. Dewclaws should be removed on the front legs. The rear feet are smaller than the front feet and have no dewclaws. This breed should not be flat-footed.

4. Feel the Dandie Dinmont terrier’s coat. The hair is around two inches long and is a mixture of 2/3 hard hair and 1/3 soft hair—this give the Dandie Dinmont terrier its crisp texture. The hair, while hard, should not be wiry. The head has soft, silky hair, including the topknot, and should extend to cover the upper portion of the ears and around the eyes. The front legs have a feather that is about two inches long. The hair on the rear legs has less feathering. The top-side of the tail has crisper hair than the hair on the body. The underside has a soft feather that is about two inches long. It should get gradually shorter as it moves toward the tip. This breed has pepper- or mustard-colored hair. The pepper shade ranges from dark bluish-black to a light silvery gray. The topknot and ears are a silvery-white color. The legs and feet are tan in color. The mustard-colored dogs range from a reddish-brown to a pale fawn. The topknot and ears are creamy white. The hair on the legs and feet are a darker shade than the topknot.