Dandy Dinmont Terrier: breed features and tips for caring for dogs

The fashion for decorative small dogs is noted among breeders today. Among the large number of animals interesting on the exterior, it is worth highlighting the dandy dinmont terrier, which, in addition to its external characteristics, has a lot of positive features.

The breed is considered one of the oldest, since the first mentions of dogs with a similar conformation date back to 55 AD. NS. At that time, animals were present on the lands of the Roman Empire, and their main occupation was hunting for small rodents and other small game. Local residents called the four-legged "earthen" dogs. The ancestors of the modern dandy dinmont terrier were famous for their ability to sneak up on the victim on the ground almost silently, which made it possible to overtake it even in cleverly constructed burrows.

People appreciated these qualities of animals at their true worth, so the breed was soon domesticated, and dogs were used to hunt with a person for a larger fur-bearing animal. There is information that terriers very often took part in the hunt for bears, standing out for their courage even in the light of the large size of the predatory animal. In everyday life, terriers did not stand out for being excessively aggressive towards people, they had good contact with children. The ancestors of the Dandy Dinmont Terrier were used on farms to protect crops and crops from various rodent pests that raided farmsteads.

Today, it has not been possible to reliably establish all the breeds that participated in the formation of attractive terriers. There are versions that the animals have genes for sky terriers and bedlington terriers. Also, among dog handlers, there is an opinion that dogs originated from the artificial selection of Scottish Terriers.

Later, animals became less and less used for hunting, and were popular among traveling musicians and gypsies. In the 18th century, terriers took part in various performances, very often dogs became participants in demonstration hunts for small game. There is an opinion that the breed got its name thanks to the world famous writer Walter Scott, who had a sincere sympathy for dogs with such an exterior.

The animal stands out strikingly against the background of other representatives of terriers. The dandy dinmont terrier should have an elongated body, shorter than average limbs, and a rather massive head with a cap, which serves as a kind of calling card of the breed. The growth of four-legged pets at the withers is 20-28 centimeters, with a weight in the range of 8-10 kilograms.

Dogs have a well-developed muscular corset, a strong skull, with an expressive and strong lower jaw, the bite of the animal is scissor-shaped. Teeth with white enamel, canines may protrude from the rest of the teeth. There is a softer coat on the head. The muzzle is approximately 3/5 of the length of the entire skull, with a triangular area devoid of hair.

The eyes of the dog are brown, set wide, repeat the shape of a circle, the protein does not stand out. The auricles are pendant, placed close to the occipital region.

The terrier's neck will be strong and muscular, the back line has a slightly noticeable bend, at the level of the shoulder blades it rises smoothly, due to which an arch is formed behind, falling to the tail area. The chest is lowered between the forelimbs, the tail is small, but well protruded in its diameter, slightly narrowed to the tip. In the normal state, the tail is slightly above the back, and if the animal is excited, it is almost vertical. The upper part is covered with a hard coat, the coat is slightly softer at the bottom.

The limbs of dogs are straight, set wide apart, have strong bones and well-developed muscles. The hind feet will be slightly longer than the front ones, the nails and pads are dark in color. Wool is the main characteristic of the breed. The cover will be double with a soft undercoat, on the back it fits into strands, on the limbs there are stripes of 3-5 centimeters.

All shades of pepper are considered acceptable color options for dogs - from dark (almost black) to light silver. On the limbs and in the lower part of the body, a red and fawn shade of coat can be observed, while the cap on the dog's head is usually silver, in mustard-colored dogs it will be cream. In addition to pepper colors, there are terriers with a reddish-brown coat color.

The Dandy Dinmont Terrier is a dog with a strong immune system, so pets of this breed rarely get sick. However, animals are prone to being affected by the following ailments:

• glaucoma;
• epilepsy.

To prevent many diseases, it is recommended to carry out timely vaccination of puppies and adult dogs, and do not neglect haircuts, which will help to avoid the development of ailments affecting the organs of vision.

Such dogs will definitely become pets; in the light of their docile disposition, pets will turn out to be suitable companions for single people or a large and friendly family with small children.In addition to its sociability, the breed stands out for its preserved hunting instincts, as well as the ability to carry out a guard duty. Despite its modest size, the animal will always protect its loved ones.

Dogs do not need to provide long walks, so the dandy will feel comfortable in small city apartments. However, animals are quite mobile, therefore, in open areas, they will require constant supervision from the breeder. In relation to other animals, dogs are not distinguished by excessive aggression. But with same-sex pets, they can arrange conflicts due to the identification of a leader.

Terrier owners celebrate cheerful disposition of dogs, devotion, as well as an innate curiosity... In addition, the dandy dinmont terrier can show stubbornness, as well as a tendency to make independent decisions. Such character traits are manifested at a young age and, with proper upbringing, can be corrected.

Animals are very affectionate with their owner, in addition, they are known as "silent" - Terriers will not bark unnecessarily... Dogs of this breed choose only one owner, in his presence they will carry out commands and other family members. But in his absence, most often they ignore any attempts to control themselves.

Dogs of this breed are not long-livers; on average, a pet will be able to live with a person for about 10-12 years.

It is important for animals to have a balanced diet, which is why many breeders choose to feed the Dandy Dinmont Terrier with commercially produced feed. Products should be selected based on the weight and age of the dog. A suitable option for pets would be feed of premium, super premium or holistic class. It is important that the composition is dominated by meat component.

Also, the dog can be fed with natural food, then in addition to meat and offal, vitamin supplements and cereals, as well as dairy products and vegetables, must be included in the menu.

The following products will be banned:

• bakery products;
• smoked meats and pickles;
• flavor enhancers;
• tubular bones.

The animal must always have access to fresh drinking water. Terriers do not eat very much. It is recommended to boil the food before serving. Puppies are fed 5 to 7 times a day, by six months the number of meals can be reduced to 3-4 times, after a year the dog is fed twice a day - in the morning and in the evening.

An obligatory event regarding the care of the animal will be a regular haircut. The dog is combed with a soft brush, and the knocked-out hair must be removed, as a rule, the fur "cap" on the dog's head is left. It is important to trim the hair around the dog's toes, around the eyes and on the belly. From a hygiene point of view, it will be useful to trim the coat in the dog's genital area. It is better to entrust the care to a professional who will take into account all the features of the breed. Today there are several options for haircuts of the dandy dinmont terrier, so the breeder can choose the right one according to personal preferences.

In addition to the coat, the dog's nails should be trimmed regularly. You may need to file the edges to prevent them from snagging. Also, the attention of the breeder will require the oral cavity of the animal; caring for it involves the use of a special toothpaste and a brush for dogs. Cleaning is carried out a couple of times a week.

Ears should be checked daily, as poor hygiene can lead to inflammation. They clean their ears as they become dirty with cotton pads or a cotton swab 2-3 times a week. Since terriers are prone to developing glaucoma, eyes must be wiped with special lotions or a decoction based on chamomile flowers. Film or sore eyes will require an urgent veterinarian visit.

Due to the thick wool and undercoat, animals are not afraid of harsh weather conditions, so they do not need additional clothing. In summer, the coat reliably protects the dogs from overheating. Walking with your pet should be daily. If the terrier is kept in an apartment, then it is very important for him to maintain muscle tone.

It is important to start working with the dog as early as possible in order to avoid the pronounced stubbornness inherent in this breed. Terrier training will take a lot of time and patience from the breeder. Typically, training for basic teams starts at 4-5 months. First you need to teach the dog to respond to his nickname, to walk next to him on a leash. Also, an important command for the pet will be "fu", which means "no".

Beginners are not recommended to train a dandy dinmont terrier on their own; it would be more correct to entrust your pet to an experienced dog handler. Good results are obtained by joint training with dogs in the same group. Self-study is usually carried out in a playful way. And collective exercises will help to avoid unnecessary aggression towards other animals.

All about the dandy dinmont terrier dog breed, see the next video.