Temperament:
The Dandie Dinmont is affectionate and fun-loving. It makes a great companion dog. Lively, plucky, determined and willful. Independent and intelligent. Bold yet dignified. Reserved with strangers and protective of family and home. Good with all well-behaved children and babies as long as they are raised with them from puppyhood. Dominance level varies greatly. Some males can be aggressive with other male dogs in the household. It is best not to keep two intact male dogs together. It should not be trusted with non-canine pets. It will be okay with cats that it is raised with from puppyhood. This little dog has a big bark for its size. They are not difficult to train, but allowance must be made for the fact that they can be very stubborn and not keen on obedience.

Grooming:
The Dandie Dinmont needs to be brushed regularly. They should have professional grooming. Dead hair should be plucked out once or twice a year. Show dogs require much more grooming. This breed sheds little to no hair.

Exercise:
Dandie Dinmont need to be walked daily. They will also enjoy sessions of play in the park or other safe open areas.

Living Condition:
The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is good for apartment life. They are fairly active indoors and a small yard will do. Do not let this dog off the leash in an unsafe area because it will take off after a cat or other animal.

Origin:
The Dandie Dinmont is an old terrier breed from the border area between England and Scotland. It was probably developed from the now extinct Scotch Terrier (not to be confused with today's Scottish Terrier), and the Skye Terrier. Raised mainly by gypsies and used by farmers to kill vermin, the Dandie Dinmont was named after the character in the famous novel "Guy Mannering" by Sir Walter Scott back in the 1800's. They still retain their talents for catching vermin. The Dandie has also been used for hunting rabbit, otter and badger. By instinct it has always been a great mouse catcher. And it is an enemy of martens, weasels, and skunks. An amusing-looking dog (long body, very short legs, toupee on the head), it has become a most sought-after companion dog.