A Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a small Scottish dog breed in the terrier family. The breed has a very long body, short legs, and a distinctive topknot of hair on the head. They are friendly but tough, and are suitable for interaction with older children. There are breed-specific health concerns: they can be affected by spinal problems due to their elongated body, and the breed is affected by canine cancer at a higher than average rate.
Originally developed in the border regions of Scotland and England.
The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is well-suited to families with older children due to its friendly yet tough nature. They are known for having a distinctive appearance with a long body and short legs, and a unique topknot of hair on their head. Due to their elongated body, they may be prone to spinal issues, and they have a higher susceptibility to canine cancer.
A drawing of two Dandie Dinmont Terriers from 1859
Dandie Dinmont Terrier circa 1915
The Fleece Hotel in Selkirk with plaque noting the club's formation there
A Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the more numerous West Highland White Terrier
A pepper coloured Dandie (left), and a Mustard Dandie (right)
Trainability
Responsiveness to training: —/5