Dandie Dinmont Terrier

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a distinctive Scottish breed developed in the 1600s along the border between England and Scotland for hunting otters and badgers. Named after a character in Sir Walter Scott's novel "Guy Mannering," published in 1814. Standing 8-11 inches tall and weighing 18-24 pounds, Dandies are small but surprisingly substantial terriers.

Their most distinctive feature is their unique silhouette: long, low bodies with curved toplines, large, domed heads topped with distinctive "topknots" of soft, silky hair, and large, soulful eyes. Dandie Dinmont Terriers have distinctive coat colors called "pepper" (dark bluish-black to pale silvery gray) or "mustard" (reddish-brown to pale fawn). Their coats are about 2 inches long with mixture of hard and soft hair, crisp to touch but not wiry.

They have long, pendulous ears set low and hanging close to cheeks, covered with soft, silky hair. Dandies have short, muscular legs with large, well-padded feet. Their tails are thick at base, tapering to point, carried slightly curved.

These unique terriers have arched backs creating distinctive profiles. The breed requires regular grooming including hand-stripping to maintain proper coat texture.