The Unique Dandie Dinmont

If this picture doesn’t melt your heart, check your pulse.

Imagine a world where this face is gone forever. We think we could do without chocolate before we could do without this face.

The face belongs to a Dandie Dinmont baby named, “Salsa,” one of the breeds listed as “vulnerable” by The Kennel Club in its land of origin. We’re not going to talk about Guy Mannering, or the novel that made the breed famous, because frankly, the breed is worthy of attention on its own merit. Dandies are sweet, they’re hardy, and they have a lot of a word we don’t use much anymore: Pluck. They’re affectionate, and they’re cuddly. Can you imagine snuggling with the dog in this picture?

Dandies are said to be the oldest breed of terrier having been first recorded as a distinct breed in 1700 (though them may be fighting words for a few other terrier breed owners). Nevertheless, the Dandie Dinmont is a unique dog in shape. Unlike other terrier breeds, there are no straight lines or hard angles. Dandies have a rounded domed head, hugely expressive eyes, and a gently curved silhouette.Even 100 years ago, the Dandie was described as “grave, with deep-set, melancholy eyes as of a nobleman in disguise, large visage, shaggy, indomitable.” If you own a Dandie Dinmont, show us some Dandie love!

Photo by Jessica Drenthen

4 thoughts on “The Unique Dandie Dinmont”

  1. We love our Dandie, Dee Dee. Although she is unable to compete in the ring, she is a beautiful, sweet smart and wonderful girl. Dee Dee is my medical alert service dog and has alerted my husband several times since she came to us at 5 months on March 1, 2017. She goes everywhere with us and she attracts attention everywhere we go! We now educate not only about her job as a service dog, but give many talks about the rare Dandie Dinmont Terrier. Most who see her ask what breed she is or ask if she is a Dandie Dinmont Terrier. Our goal is to promote the breed through education and referral of the AKC. Yes, we love our Dandie and only another Dandie “pawrent” understands the joy of having one of this special dogs-or should I say, the privilege of having something incredible.

    • Great comment, Sandra, and thank you for all you’ve done in educating the public about your breed. It actually helps all of us because by explaining the Dandie Dinmont, you’re acting as an ambassador for purebred dog ownership. Well done, you!

      • Thank you for your kind reply. Please note the shirts that i embroidered in the picture. We wear them to any doggy function or show like the Beverly Hills Kennel Club Dog Show in March or recently when we drove from our home in Mesa AZ to the Seattle WA area and met renown Dandie Dinmont Breeder and Westminster BOB winner, Miriam Couto. My 80 something parents have shirts too! The more we learn, the more we present and promote the breed. Any interest is a promotion opportunity for a Dandie!

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