For the most part, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a healthy dog, but some of the breed has a tendency to suffer from intervertebral disc protrusion, hip dysplasia, lymphoma, patellar luxation, and ear infections. Because of their short legs and body low to the ground, they tend to be longer than taller. This can create back problems if you allow your dog to become overweight. That doesn't mean that any of these health issues will affect every dog, or even the majority of them, but there are certainly enough cases for potential owners to become aware of the potential risks they may be taking, especially when the potential purchase price of this breed is so high.
In order to prevent your dog from succumbing to some of the health conditions common to its breed, you should make sure your puppy is in good health from the time you bring him home. The breeder should provide you with a statement of health and any medical precautions he has taken such as testing the parents for any genetic disorders that may affect the puppy. Purchasing your Dandie from a reputable breeder lessens your chances of paying good money for an unhealthy puppy. Certainly, you also want to take your new puppy to your own veterinarian in order to make sure you start him off on the right foot when it comes to his health.
Back problems are common in all of the breeds that have long bodies, and when they become overweight, the chances are increased tremendously. You can prevent, or at least reduce the chances, this from happening by not overfeeding your dog so that his weight stays within normal range, and by exercising him regularly. By feeding him properly and exercising him regularly, you can make sure that he doesn't become overweight and develop back problems. This is a common problem with smaller dogs because often their bodies are longer than their legs are tall, so when they gain weight, it causes their entire body to sag to the ground. Eventually the sagging will take its toll on the dogs back, and you will have not only an overweight dog, but one with back problems as well.
Other than the conditions listed, there are no known conditions affecting the Dandie. Even though there are no known genetic conditions for this breed, you should still insist on the breeder testing the parents for any potential disorders that may affect the puppies in order to prevent problems later. It is much easier to know before you purchase a puppy if there are potential health issues. Knowing ahead of time allows you the option to decide if you want to pick a different puppy or hope for the best with one that may succumb to a genetic condition.
Many potential health issues can be avoided by taking your dog to the veterinarian on a routine basis. Regular check-ups can detect any present health problems and perhaps allowance the delay of any problems that may possibly show up later in your dog's life.
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