Dandie Dinmont Terrier

 

The Dandie is a terrier of curves, unlike most other terriers, which consist of straight lines and angles. He is a lucky little dog, lively as a cricket, and an excellent housedog, possessing a very deep bark.

 

He is friendly, kind and loyal. He is a workmanlike Terrier, cheerful, highly intelligent, independent, determined, sensitive, persistent and affectionate. He has dignity. He will be loved from everybody. He could be practised for hunting and obedience, he learns fast and he likes to complete tasks.

 

 

 The History of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier

 

The Dandie Dinmont is perhaps most well known for being named after a character in a book written by Sir Walter Scott entitled "Guy Mannering".

 

However there is irrefututable evidence that the Dandie existed long before this, going back to the 1700s and beyond. 

 

Dandies were first shown at Manchester Show in 1861, the Dandie Dinmont Club being formed in 1875, only the Belington and the Bulldog Clubs being older.

 

There is evidence from the 18th century that border gypsies and travelling tinkers used this terriers for rough field word, poaching, and to help in killing otter, fox and badger. The Dandies rough coar being ideally suited for prickly gorse and tough and ragged terrain, which was inaccessible in parts to hounds and larger dogs.

 

Piper Allen, of Bellingham, born 1704, described as a "bagpipe player, maker of spoons, baskets and brooms and a mender of pots and pans", was famous for this dogs. They were known then as Hindlee Terriers, Pepper and Mustard Terriers or charlieshope Terriers. He had many of these game little dogs, his favourites being Charlie, Hitchem and Phoebe.

 

These were the days when gameness and intelligence were paramount virtues, when a dog was needed for a tough job, and would do it with zest and efficiency and never cry out if hurt. The severest test of a Dandie´s courage was to put him to two badgers at once, and if he fastened on to one whilst being attacked by the other, he was "Game".

 

There are many tales of how proud gypsies were of their dogs, on one occasion Piper Allen was asked to clear Lord Ravensworth´s pond of otters at Eslington Hall. This was done with such efficiency, that his lordship instructed his steward "to buy the terrier Charly". Piper Allen was so offended that he said "His Lordship's whole estate could not buy Charlie" a remark which promptly closed the conversation.

 

Piper Allen died in 1779, and is buried in Rothbury churchyard. His terriers were gradually passed down the family and eventually stock was put on the market following the publication of "Guy Mannering" some 35 years later. dandies were successful in the show-ringing the early 190s. In1902 a Dandie named "Ch Bonny Lass" took the prize for the Best Terrier at Crufts Show, and in 1906, this honour was again taken by a Dandie "Ch Milverton King".

 

The Dandie´s motto, according to Charles Cook is "Mind your own business and I'll attend to mine".

 

	Dog World Annual 1963