General Appearance
Originally bred to go to ground, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is
a long, low- stationed working terrier with a curved outline. The
distinctive head with silken topknot is large but in proportion
to the size of the dog. The dark eyes are large and round with a
soft, wise expression. The sturdy, flexible body and scimitar
shaped tail are covered with a rather crisp double coat, either
mustard or pepper in color.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Height is from 8 to 11 inches at the top of the shoulders. Length
from top of shoulders to root of tail is one to two inches less
than twice the height. For a dog in good working condition, the
preferred weight is from 18 to 24 pounds.
Sturdily built with ample bone and well developed muscle, but
without coarseness. The overall balance is more important than
any single specification.
Head
The head is strongly made and large, but in proportion
to the dog's size. Muscles are well developed, especially those
covering the foreface. The expression shows
great determination, intelligence and dignity. The eyes
are large, round, bright and full, but not protruding. They are
set wide apart and low, and directly forward. Color, a rich dark
hazel. Eye rims dark. The ears are set well
back, wide apart and low on the skull, hanging close to the
cheek, with a very slight projection at the fold. The shape is
broad at the base, coming almost to a point. The front edge comes
almost straight down from base to tip; the tapering is primarily
on the back edge. The cartilage and skin of the ear are rather
thin. The ear's length is from three to four inches.
The skull is broad between the ears, gradually
tapering toward the eyes, and measures about the same from stop
to occiput as it does from ear to ear. Forehead (brow) well
domed. Stop well defined. The cheeks gradually
taper from the ears toward the muzzle in the same proportion as
the taper of the skull. The muzzle is deep and
strong. In length, the proportions are a ratio of three (muzzle)
to five (skull). The nose is moderately large and black or dark
colored. The lips and inside of the mouth are black or dark
colored. The teeth meet in a tight scissors
bite. The teeth are very strong, especially the canines, which
are an extraordinary size for a small dog. The canines mesh well
with each other to give great holding and punishing power. The
incisors in each jaw are evenly spaced and six in number.
Neck, Topline, Body
The neck is very muscular, well developed and
strong, showing great power of resistance. It is well set into
the shoulders and moderate in length. The topline
is rather low at the shoulder, having a slight downward curve and
a corresponding arch over the loins, with a very slight gradual
drop from the top of the loins to the root of the tail. Both
sides of the backbone well muscled. The outline is a continuous
flow from the crest of the neck to the tip of the tail. The body
is long, strong and flexible. Ribs are well sprung and
well rounded. The chest is well developed and well let down
between the forelegs. The underline reflects the curves of the
topline. The tail is 8 to 10 inches in length,
rather thick at the root, getting thicker for about four inches,
then tapering off to a point. The set-on of the tail is a
continuation of the very slight gradual drop over the croup. The
tail is carried a little above the level of the body in a curve
like a scimitar. Only when the dog is excited may the tip of the
tail be aligned perpendicular to its root.
Forequarters
There should be sufficient layback of shoulder
to allow good reach in front; angulation in balance with
hindquarters. Upper arms nearly equal in length to the shoulder
blades, elbows lying close to the ribs and capable of moving
freely. The forelegs are short with good
muscular development and ample bone, set wide apart. Feet point
forward or very slightly outward. Pasterns nearly straight when
viewed from the side. Bandy legs and fiddle front are
objectionable.
Hindquarters
The hind legs are a little longer than the
forelegs and are set rather wide apart, but not spread out in an
unnatural manner. The upper and lower thighs are rounded and
muscular and approximately the same length; stifles angulated, in
balance with forequarters. The hocks are well let down and rear
pasterns perpendicular to the ground.
Feet
The feet are round and well cushioned. Dewclaws preferably
removed on forelegs. Rear feet are much smaller than the front
feet and have no dewclaws. Nails strong and dark; nail color may
vary according to the color of the dog. White nails are
permissible. Flat feet are objectionable.
Coat
This is a very important point: The hair should be about two
inches long; the body coat is a mixture of about 2/3 hardish hair
with about 1/3 soft hair, giving a sort of crisp texture. The
hard is not wiry. The body coat is shortened by plucking. The
coat is termed pily or pencilled, the effect of the natural
intermingling of the two types of hair. The hair on the underpart
of the body is softer than on the top.
The head is covered with very soft, silky hair, the silkier the
better. It should not be confined to a mere topknot but extends
to cover the upper portion of the ears, including the fold, and
frames the eyes. Starting about two inches from the tip, the ear
has a thin feather of hair of nearly the same color and texture
as the topknot, giving the ear the appearance of ending in a
distinct point. The body of the ear is covered with short, soft,
velvety hair. The hair on the muzzle is of the same texture as
the foreleg feather. For presentation, the hair on the top of the
muzzle is shortened. The hair behind the nose is naturally more
sparse for about an inch.
The forelegs have a feather about two inches long, the same
texture as the muzzle. The hind leg hair is of the same texture
but has considerably less feather. The upper side of the tail is
covered with crisper hair than that on the body. The underside
has a softer feather about two inches long, gradually shorter as
it nears the tip, shaped like a scimitar. Trimming for
presentation is to appear entirely natural; exaggerated styling
is objectionable.
Color
The color is pepper or mustard.
Pepper ranges from dark bluish black to a light
silvery gray, the intermediate shades preferred. The topknot and
ear feather are silvery white, the lighter the color the better.
The hair on the legs and feet should be tan, varying according to
the body color from a rich tan to a very pale fawn.
Mustard varies from a reddish brown to a pale
fawn. The topknot and ear feather are a creamy white. The hair on
the legs and feet should be a darker shade than the topknot.
In both colors the body color comes well down the shoulders and
hips, gradually merging into the leg color. Hair on the underpart
of the body is lighter in color than on the top. The hair on the
muzzle (beard) is a little darker shade than the topknot. Ear
color harmonizes with the body color. The upper side of the tail
is a darker shade than the body color, while the underside of the
tail is lighter, as the legs. Some white hair on the chest is
common.
Gait
Proper movement requires a free and easy stride, reaching
forward with the front legs and driving with evident force from
the rear. The legs move in a straight plane from shoulder to pad
and hip to pad. A stiff, stilted, hopping or weaving gait and
lack of drive in the rear quarters are faults to be penalized.
Temperament
Independent, determined, reserved and intelligent. The Dandie
Dinmont Terrier combines an affectionate and dignified nature
with, in a working situation, tenacity and boldness.
This information from the AKC.
Dandie
Dinmont Club of America
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