Like any other breed, the Dandie has some facts you may not know that make it unique. Listed below are some facts you may not know about this breed.
The dog is the only breed to be named after a fictional character in a book.
The inspiration for the Dandie Dinmont character in the book is believed to be a Scottish farmer by the name of James Davidson.
Before they were given the name Dandie Dinmont, the terriers were usually called Pepper or Mustard Terriers depending on their color or based upon the name of the farm where they were bred.
Sir Walter Scott, the author of the book, owned Dandies as well as other popular breeds that were in existence at the time.
It's believed that the Dandie may have been a close relative of the Bedlington Terrier since both have the same type of ears with the light top-knot. However, the Dandie became a short-legged dog with a long body while the Bedlington became a long-legged dog with a short body. This likeness can be found during the early days of dog shows when Lord Antrim exhibited two dogs from the same litter and won a prize for one in the Dandie class and one in the Bedlington class.
The Dandie was held as part of the general family of Scottish Terriers until a separate breed for these dogs was formed in 1873.
In the 1980s the wording of the original judging standards of 1876 were amended. Today only Canada uses the original standard.
The breed is popular with all social classes from peasants to royalty.
The dog is described as one you want to own if you want an individualist in the book D is for Dog by veterinary surgeon, Frank Manolson.
The expression on a Dandie can often give the impression he has forgotten most than most people will ever know.
The Dandie is in danger of extinction, and because of its rarity, its price tag is quite high.
The Dandie was originally bred in England in the 17th century to hunt small prey such as badgers.
The breed has quite an extensive history behind its breeding, and is worthwhile reading for anyone who owns or hopes to own a Dandie. Knowing the dogs history will help you better understand your dog, his temperament, and his behavior. You also may be interested in following the bloodline of your own Dandie to see how far you can trace it in order to discover where it fits into the big picture. From its humble beginnings in early Great Britain to where it is today, the dog has gained a great deal of popularity in other parts of the world. You will find it interesting to read things about your dog breed that you didn't know. It helps you to learn more about your breed of choice as well as helping define more clearly why your dog has the personality he does.
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