Dog breeds / Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Photo: en:User:Sannse · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Dog breed
Dandie Dinmont Terrier
The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a calm, affectionate, and independent little dog with a dignified streak and a surprisingly easygoing nature indoors. He is loyal to his family but can be reserved with strangers, and he tends to be curious and sometimes stubborn when it comes to training. With children he is usually patient and sturdy, though he does best with respectful kids. He can live comfortably with other dogs and sometimes cats, but his terrier instincts mean small pets may be seen as prey.
Day to day, he needs regular walks, a secure yard or fenced area, and mental stimulation through sniffing games and short training sessions. He is not a hyperactive breed, but he will bark at sounds and can dig when bored. His long topknot and body coat need consistent brushing to stay tidy.
Good for: Calm homes, owners who enjoy grooming and walks
| Size | small |
| Weight | 18–24 lb |
| Exercise | about 60 min a day |
| Shedding | low |
| Origin | Scotland |
Expect some stubbornness in training, so use patient, rewards-based methods and keep sessions short and fun.
Living with a Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Exercise
Two moderate walks a day plus time to sniff and explore in a secure area. Short, engaging play sessions suit him well.
Grooming
His coat is wiry and long on the body with a topknot, and it needs brushing several times a week, plus periodic trimming to keep it neat. He sheds very little.
Health
Dandie Dinmont Terriers are prone to back problems (IVDD) and certain skin and ear issues. Ask your vet about screening and early signs, and about keeping him at a healthy weight.
- Intervertebral disc disease
- Skin allergies
- Obesity
Known tendencies, not a diagnosis: ask your vet about this breed.
The numbers for a Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Feeding, adult
1.5–2 cups a day
About 606 kcal, roughly 11 lb of dry food a month at 18–24 lb. Start here and adjust to the bag and your vet. Portion calculator →
What a year costs
$1,350–$2,300
Food about $446, plus routine vet care, parasite preventives and gear. US averages; insurance and emergencies on top.
Weather
Watch above 75°F, stop at 85°F
Coat or short walks below 40°F. Small dogs lose heat fast: a coat below about 40°F, and keep walks short in the cold.
Right now
Latest dog food recalls
Aunt Millie s Bakehouse Whole Grain White Hot Dog Buns 6" Sliced 2 OUNCE. 12 unlabeled 12CT PKGS per sale unit case, product code 7502. Net. Wt. 18lbs.
Perfection Bakeries LLC · Sep 13 · Undeclared sesame
Breadman Brioche products in plastic bags: Brioche Toast, 2 lb. (1 loaf/bag), Brioche Buns, 40oz (10 buns/bag), Brioche Sliders, 50oz (25 sliders/bag), Brioche Hot Dog, 40oz (10 buns/bag)
Breadbox Co. · May 16 · Undeclared Yellow No. 5
Our Family White Hot Dog Enriched Buns, 8 count 12oz. retail unit UPC 0-70253-75107-3
Perfection Bakeries LLC · Mar 21 · undeclared sesame
Questions owners ask
Do Dandie Dinmont Terriers shed?
Very little. Their wiry coat sheds minimally, which can suit people with mild allergies, though no dog is truly allergen-free.
Can a Dandie Dinmont Terrier live in an apartment?
Yes, if daily walks are reliable. He is fairly calm indoors, but he can bark at noises, so some training helps in shared buildings.
Is a Dandie Dinmont Terrier good with kids?
Usually, especially with older children who handle him gently. Supervise young kids, since he is sturdy but has a terrier's independence.
Good picks for a Dandie Dinmont Terrier
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Made in the USA
Made in the USA