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The Dandie Dinmont – The ‘Complicated’ Terrier

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274 – August, 2018

By Amy Fernandez

Fads create plenty of problems in the dog world. The resultant spikes and plummets ripple through a breed’s gene pool for generations. Prevention and damage control largely focuses on the capricious pet buying public. There’s that for sure. However, trendy thinking has an equally negative impact within the sport. The problem is basically overlooked, but definitely not new. James Watson’s lengthy op-ed piece for Field and Fancy made that clear back in 1904. Conceding that “the rise and fall of breeds is hard to gauge,” the effects, how- ever, were not. “That fashion ruins the dog fancy we have only ourselves largely to blame… as a rule we within the fold are the most shortsighted of all.”

When it comes to insider fads, the penultimate case in point is the Dandie Dinmont. Unmistakable in outline, ubiquitous in British lore, unchallenged in historical validity, and basically absent from most Terrier Group lineups. Big winners are attention grabbers equally for their achievements and the mere fact of their exotic presence.

Descending from the Scotch branch of the terrier tree, at first glance it seems like something put together by a deranged committee rather than a purpose-built working dog. It was the first to achieve individual designation within that broad category although its uniqueness defies every conventional classification of that tribe. Not exactly long or short, soft or harsh, its coat is, well… Complicated. The most distinguishing feature in that department is also hard to consider standard terrier equipment, the topknot. But the same could be said for those long pendulous ears and big round eyes. Likewise, unique front construction is a hallmark of short-legged terriers but even in that respect, the Dandie is a different brand of different. The front, of course, explains the unmistakable topline. The list goes on, but suffice it to say that from topknot to scimitar tail it is definitely a one-off. That hasn’t been the only hindrance to Dandie appreciation.

Click here to read the complete article
274 – August, 2018

Short URL: https://caninechronicle.com/?p=148933

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