Dandie Dinmont Terrier

All breeds have certain features that, combined create a unique breed that can be distinguished from other breeds.

If only one of these features is considered, it can be easy to mistake the breed. Some people look at the black-and-white spot-like ticking on some English Setters and see a Dalmatian. Others might see a blue spot on a dog's tongue and assume it's a Chow Chow (or Chow mix). While a blue tongue is a good indication that the dog has Chow or Shar-Pei in its ancestry, there is no cause to link a spotted tongue to either of these breeds.

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Distinguishing Features
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Topline

In most dogs, the topline should be straight, with the height at the shoulders being roughtly equal to the height at the loin. But in Dandie Dinmont Terriers, the height at the shoulders should be lower than the height at the loins. The AKC standard says: "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."

Forelegs

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The AKC breed standard says: "Feet [of the forelegs] point forward or very slightly outward."

The Kennel Club breed standard says: "Forearms to follow line of chest with feet pointing forward or slightly outward when standing. "

Coat Texture

On the left is a close-up of the coat on a pepper and on the right is a close-up of the coat texture of a mustard dog.

The colors and texture of the coat give it a "penciled" look, as if it were drawn with a pencil.

The Dandie's coat is double coated and has a "crisp" feel. The coat will have about 2/3 harsh coat and about 1/3 soft coat, although a coat that has been clippered can have a different texture.

About the coat, the AKC standard reads, in part: "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 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... 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... 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...

"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. "

Mouth

The roof and lips of the Dandie should be black or very dark colored.

The teeth should be strong and even. The canines are notably large for a dog of the Dandie's size.

The AKC standard says "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. "

Jaws

The Dandie has very strong, well-muscled jaws. While it's not always noticeable by observation, it's very noticeable by feeling the dog's head. If you ever get a chance to feel skull and muscle just behind the Dandie's jaw and cheekbone, you will immediately notice how thick and muscular it feels. Some vets have even mistaken this correct musculature for swollen glands.

The KC breed standard says: "Head strongly made, large but in proportion to dog's size, muscles showing extraordinary development, especially the maxillary."