| Alternative Name Dandie, Hindlee Terrier
Basic Info
A Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a small breed of dog in
the terrier family. The breed has a very long body,
short legs, and a distinctive "top-knot" of hair on the
head. They are between 8 and 11 inches tall at the top
of the shoulders and can weigh between 18 and 24 pounds.
The dogs are sturdily built with strong bone structure
and ample muscular strength. The color is either
peppered or mustard. Peppered ranges from dark bluish
black to a light silvery gray, the topknot is a silvery
white. Mustard can range from a reddish brown to a pale
fawn, with the topknot a creamy white.
Origin
Scotland
History
This short legged terrier was developed in the 17th
century as an otter and badger specialist in the Cheviot
and Teviotdale Hills in the Border Counties of Scotland
and England. They are named after Dandie Dinmont, a
jovial farmer in Sir Walter Scott's novel Guy Mannering.
Sir Walter Scott also gave the names to the breed's
colours, pepper and mustard, which were adopted from the
names of Dandie Dinmont's dogs. They are the only breed
to be named after a character in fiction. In the 1870s,
exhibiting dogs became popular. The Kennel Club formed
in 1873 and, just after this time, moves were made by
Dandie enthusiasts to form a club. On November 17, 1875,
at a meeting held at the Fleece Hotel in Selkirk on the
Scottish Borders, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Club was
formed. It is one of the oldest pedigree breed clubs in
the world. The first task was to draw up a breed
standard and Mr William Wardlaw Reed, a founder member
of the DDTC. worked on this, smoothing out the many
differences. The following year at the Red Lion Hotel,
Carlisle, the standard was agreed and adopted. The breed
was first registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC)
in 1888.
|
