Dandie Dinmont Terrier, a very fun dog

Happy and healthy dog of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier breed

Image - Akc.org

Small dogs are gorgeous hairballs, both as puppies and as they grow older. But if you are one of those who likes to caress and comb their friend, you will surely have a preference for breeds or crosses that have long hair, right? Well you're in luck, because the Dandie Dinmont Terrier He is a lovable furry and also a lot of fun.

It weighs very little, enough so that children and the elderly can hold it for a while without getting tired, so if you want to meet him, do not leave the monitor 🙂.

Origin and history of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier

Our protagonist It is a breed of dog originally from Scotland, specifically in the northwest of the country. In the 1600s they were used to hunt badgers and otters. Later, in 1779, the dogs owned by Willie Allen of Holystone (Northumberland) became his son James upon his death. James sold one of them, called Old Pepper, to Francis Sommer, of Town Yetholm, on the Scottish border side.

From then until 1814 the breed was practically unknown. But thanks to Sir Walter Scott's novel 'Guy Mannering', it gradually became known again. Sir Walter was inspired by the dogs of James Davidson, who was a farmer. In 1880 the selection of puppies was started, and in 2006 the Kennel Club finally recognized it as a breed.

Physical characteristics

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a small-sized dog, with a weight from 8 to 11kg and with a height at the withers between 20 and 28cm. Its body is elongated, curved and delicate, made up of short legs, hanging ears, and a relatively large head.

The hair is long, up to 5 centimeters, and can be of two different color ranges:

Pepper- Ranges from dark or black to a slight silver gray.
Mustard. ranges from reddish brown to white.

Has a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years.

Behavior of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier

The behavior and personality of this dog can sometimes surprise us. He is very docile and sociable, but it can also be reckless. Due to his past as a hunter, he is very fond of digging holes and running. Even so, we have to know that with correct training - positively - we can make it a very sociable animal that will not get into trouble with other dogs.

Care

Food

We recommend providing a specific feed for small dogs, several times a day. The frequency will depend on your dog, for example: while it is a puppy you will surely have to give it 3 to 6 times, but as it grows you will notice that the times it asks for food will decrease. In this sense, an adult and healthy specimen can eat 1 or 2 times a day without problem, as long as those times are really satisfying, and for this to be fulfilled there is nothing like giving it a cereal-free feed, or Barf diet.

Hygiene

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier requires a bath a month, as well as a daily brushing. Due to the characteristics of its hair, it is highly advisable to take it to a dog groomer to have it trimmed a bit, especially during shedding time.

Exercise

Remember to take him out for a walk every day of his life, except when you are ill and / or have had an accident that prevents you from walking normally.

"Salud"

It is a breed that has a certain predisposition to suffer from various diseases, which are:

Spinal disc herniationAlso known as sciatica. It occurs when the sciatic nerve is compressed, inflamed or irritated, which causes a very strong pain that runs down the back of the dog's leg to what would be the foot.
Hypothyroidism: it is the decrease in the secretion of thyroid hormones, thus causing the decrease in basal metabolism, which results in fatigue, weight gain for no apparent reason, among others.
Glaucoma: it is a disease that appears when the pressure of the intraocular fluid increases slowly, injuring the optic nerve. If left untreated, it can lead to blindness.
Cushing's syndrome: it is caused by the increase in the hormone cortisol, produced by the adrenal glands. It can cause obesity, as well as mental and skin disorders, osteoporosis and hypertension.
Cancer: it can be of several types: skin, bone, lung, etc. More information here.

Every time you suspect that you are not feeling well, you have to take him to the vet. In addition, it has to be vaccinated and, also, it has to be microchipped.