GENERAL APPEARANCE
Shoulder height: Approx. 20-28cm 
Colour: Pepper - dark bluish black to light silver grey. Mustard - reddish brown to pale fawn.
Coat: Outer coat to be hard but not wiry with a soft linty undercoat.
Gait: Free moving with fore and hindlegs moving straight and with strong hind propulsion.
Quite unlike any other terrier, in profile the Dandie gives the impression of a series of curves on short legs. The domed square skull is covered with a soft profuse topknot with round widely set eyes and a shorter muzzle. The lowset hanging ears are well fringed with darker feathering. The chest comes down below the elbows and the well padded feet point forward or may turn slightly out. The flexible body has a topline that curves gracefully up over the rump and then down to a lowset, low carried, feathered tail. The well angulated hindlegs are set rather wide apart.
CHARACTERISTICS AND CARE
The Dandie is more sedate than many of the terrier breeds, but at the same time is still a good ratter. They make good house pets and companions.
These fun loving terriers are both responsive and affectionate, but have the terrier streak of independence. However, for the conscientious gardener, the Dandie’s love of digging might not be welcomed. The coat is made up of hard and soft hairs, creating the typical ‘crisp’ feel to the touch. The coat requires stripping a couple of times a year. For those not interested in showing, then clipping back to 5cm (2”) will suffice.
HISTORY
While the evolution of this breed is shrouded in mystery, it is believed they are the result of small rough coated terriers being crossed with Otter Hounds. By 1700, a distinctive type of terrier was to be found in the Cheviot Hills on the English/Scottish border, but it was not until 1814 that they rose to famewith the publication of Sir Walter Scott’s novel Guy Mannering. In this book a character named Dandie Dinmont owned 6 of these charming little dogs. Thus it is from a fictitious person that the breed takes its name.