Grooming the Dandie Dinmont Terrier

Coat

The Dandie Dinmont coat is unique among terriers. The body “jacket” is a double coat consisting of two-thirds hard hair and one-third soft, linty hair mixed together, giving an overall feeling of crispness without true wiriness. The coat should be about two inches long. The topknot — the crowning feature of the breed — is soft and silky, distinctly different from the jacket. The legs and underbody carry softer hair. Colors come in only two options: pepper (bluish-black through dark silvery gray) or mustard (reddish-brown through pale fawn). The Dandie coat is non-shedding and low-maintenance relative to its appearance, but does require regular brushing and periodic hand stripping to maintain texture and tidiness.

Character

The Dandie Dinmont is often described as the gentleman of the terrier world — more dignified and less excitable than most of its group cousins. Affectionate, funny, and charming with its family, the Dandie is nonetheless still a terrier: independent, determined, and easily bored by repetitive training. They are good with older children and can coexist with other pets when properly introduced. They are reserved with strangers and can be stubborn, responding best to positive, food-motivated training. One of the rarest dog breeds in the world — the Kennel Club lists it as an endangered native breed.

Recommended Cindra Products

• Texturizing Shampoo — maintains the crisp jacket texture; avoid washing the jacket too frequently as it can soften the hard coat hairs
• Moisturizing Shampoo — for the topknot and softer leg and underbody areas where softness is appropriate
• Super Coat — diluted 90/10; light mist to reduce static on the jacket without softening

Problems & Solutions

Hands-On Grooming Guide

Brushing

Brush the jacket two to three times weekly with a stiff pin brush or slicker, brushing through to the skin. Check particularly inside the top of the legs where mats are most often missed. Brush the topknot daily with a soft pin brush, combing it upward and forward to maintain its rounded shape. Begin grooming routines daily from puppyhood to build tolerance.

Hand Stripping the Jacket

Hand strip the jacket four to six times a year for pet dogs in good coat (more frequently for a tidier look; less for a shaggier, more natural appearance). Strip by pulling dead hairs from the root in the direction of growth. The jacket should be kept about two inches long. The Dandie coat does not strip as crisply as a classic wire coat — the mixed texture means stripping feels slightly different. Only dead hair should be removed; the coat is ready when hair pulls easily. Clipping ruins the coat’s crisp character, though it is sometimes used for older dogs.

The Topknot

The topknot is the Dandie’s crowning feature and deserves special care. Trim it to give a soft, rounded effect over the domed skull. Comb hair upward from the neck and shape it to stand softly all over the head, clear of the eyes. Show dogs may have the topknot lightly whitened with chalk for added effect; remove all chalk completely before entering the ring.

Bathing

Avoid washing the jacket body too frequently as this softens the hard coat hairs. When bathing, use Texturizing Shampoo on the body jacket and Moisturizing Shampoo on the topknot and softer areas. Dry thoroughly. Between baths, a rinse in warm water is appropriate if the dog has gotten dirty.

Shedding

The Dandie Dinmont is a non-shedding breed. Dead coat is retained in the jacket and removed by hand stripping. A well-maintained Dandie leaves very little hair around the home, making it an excellent choice for owners sensitive to dog hair.

Puppy vs. Adult Coat

Quick Grooming Schedule

Resources

• Dandie Dinmont Terrier Club of America
• AKC Dandie Dinmont Terrier Breed Information