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So what makes the Dandie so unique, other than its rather unusual name? Well the breed is one of the few which I feel has a genuine sense of humour and they are not nearly as highly strung as some other Terriers. They are loyal, affectionate, sensitive and love a good game. Unlike other Terriers, the Dandie has no straight lines, the breed is all curves. From the dome of its skull to the gentle arch of the back and the scimitar like curved tail, this is a dog whose appearance is unique in the world of dogs. The Dandie's coat is another unusual and important feature, being double coated, with a soft undercoat providing insulation and a harder, darker top coat being crisp to the touch (not harsh) and shower proof. After a walk in the rain a quick shake should find the dog touch dry, a legacy of its working heritage when it was exposed to the harsh elements of the Borders. A Dandie's crowning glory is the top knot of soft silky hair on the top of its head. Lighter in colour than the body coat, it gives the breed a unique and whimsical appearance. The ears traditionally have tassels groomed in and the legs have feathering lighter in colour to the body coat but darker than the top knot. [UK Kennel Club Breed Standard ed.]

Dandies despite being low to the ground are not a small terrier like (say) a Norwich or a Westie, but would stand about 11 inches (28cm) at the shoulder and weighing ideally anything between 18 to 24 pounds (8-11 kg). In truth most "pet" Dandies tend to be towards the upper end of the weight and size scale, especially the males, which makes them relatively easy to pick up, but uncomfortable to carry for any distance. What are they like to live with? Well they are not as feisty as most other breeds of Terriers, they usually burn a long fuse, seldom start trouble, but will stand their ground fearlessly if picked on by another dog. Their teeth are exceptionally large for such a small dog and they possess a very deep, loud bark which belies their size, especially the males, they tend not to be “yappers”. The breed is very adaptable and can live quite happily in town or country, but ideally should have access to some type of garden to have a truly fulfilling life. They can take as much or as little exercise as you care to give them, adapting to a quick 10 minute walk round the block, or a couple of hours on the heath.. They usually get on very well with other dogs and if introduced as a puppy, can learn to live quite happily with cats. I regularly receive photos at Christmas of Dandies either sharing a bowl with the family cat or curled up asleep with them. Most Dandies are great with children, again if introduced at an early age, it seems to come naturally to them.

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Some dos and don'ts: firstly, if you are lucky enough to get a Dandie puppy, please remember that due to their long spine and short legs they have to be reared very sensibly for the first 12 months. No long walks, no jumping on and off furniture, no up and down flights of stairs and no silly games in the garden where the dog has to jump up and twist to catch things. Follow these few simple rules whilst your Dandie is young and growing and you will not have any back problems. Dandies are very strong willed so do let them know from day one, exactly who is the pack leader in the house, if they have a chance early on to take advantage to assert them selves, they will do so. They are not specifically a one person dog, rather preferring to be part of the family and sharing their affections equally, they thrive on human contact. But don't let that outwardly melting expression fool you, as underneath there beats the heart of a lion, with bags of character. Do start brushing and combing them regularly from an early age so that they get to like being groomed, this includes trimming their feet and nails and keeping the hair away from their eyes, all this is easy for the new owner to learn. However trimming a Dandie in the traditional and correct way is a highly skilled operation and not something to be usually trusted to your local grooming shop. A Dandie should not normally be clipped, if you do this, his top coat could be lost for ever and you will end up with a ball of fluff more resembling a Bichon than a Terrier. [Dandie Puppy ed.]

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Last year, 2003, only 90 Dandie Dinmont Terrier puppies were registered at the Kennel Club in the whole of the UK — from 22 Breeders. The fact that statistically the breed has quite small litters (the average litter size is usually only 3-4 pups) makes the breed unattractive to commercial breeders, thank goodness. But this means that, if you have set your heart on a Dandie Dinmont Terrier, you must be prepared to be patient and possibly go on a waiting list, as they are in very short supply. Usually breeders will have bred a litter so that they could keep one themselves – that would leave only 68 puppies available for friends, family and, after that, the open market — for the whole of 2003. Like a large number of our other native British breeds, the low registrations are giving cause for concern, so much so that The Kennel Club has designated the Dandie, along with 27 other UK breeds, as officially "Vulnerable", that is to say that our Kennel Club realises they are just too important to lose.

So what do you do next if you are interested in this unique breed of British Terrier? There is no better ambassador for the Breed than the Dandie itself. Come to one of the Dandie Events listed here , contact the Puppy Co-ordinators, who will tell you about Breeder’s or Dandie Owners in your area (and put you on the waiting list) and visit the comprehensive websites for more information (most Dandie Dinmont Terrier Webmasters own Dandies themselves). As soon as you meet a Dandie Dinmont you will understand why owners care so much about this wonderful and historic breed, which has adapted over the years perfectly to fit in with modern living. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier will not suit everyone, but once you have known one, their unique charms will touch your heart like no other. Who knows, you may even be moved to poetry, just like Sir Walter Scott.

Article by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it of Canine Art Connections originally published in Dogs Monthly in 2004 - reproduced with permission [part 2]