This section is from the book "British Dogs, Their Points, Selection, And Show Preparation", by W. D. Drury. Also available from Amazon: British Dogs: Their Points, Selection And Show Preparation.
Following on these came a host of breeders and exhibitors whose names may be learnt from the records of the Kennel Club Stud Book. There are, however, a few names that stand out conspicuously. Such are the brothers Scott, whose dog Peachem was in his time one of the finest Dandie Dinmont Terriers that ever graced a show-bench. As shows increased, so did the number of breeders, and some very strong kennels were founded. The Rev. (now Mr.) J. C. Macdona was one of the early fanciers, while Mr. J. H. Murchison, Mr. W. Carrick, the Earl of Antrim, Mr. E. W. Blagg, Mr. G. Houliston, Mr. G. A. B. Leatham, Mrs. Peel Hewitt (one of whose dogs we illustrate), and the Rev. S. Tiddemann were all strong supporters of the breed that Scott had immortalised.
Just as there were enthusiasts in the cause of the variety in the days of old, so are there in the present day. Anyone doubting the popularity of the modern Dandie Dinmont Terrier has but to note the well-filled classes that are found at the larger shows; added to which there is a steady and an increasing demand for good young stock. A decade or less ago the Mustards were more popular than the Peppers; but to-day the reverse is the case. Despite its popularity, however, the variety is passing through some of those troublous times peculiar to every popular breed. One outcry of the present-day fancier is against the increasing weight of the show Dandie Dinmont Terrier; while another is that type is being sacrificed. That certain of the show dogs are on the heavy side admits of no doubt; but inasmuch as many of them score where the lighter ones fail, it would be a good plan to take a hint from Mr. Cook's delightful monograph, for he specifically indicates how, in breeding, the big specimens might be utilised - namely, in imparting substance and bone to the little ones, which are often deficient therein, as in other points. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier was, in the first place, purely a working dog, and for the work he was called upon to perform he must necessarily have been some seven or eight pounds lighter than some of the show dogs of to-day. Like many another Terrier that has become fashionable, he is too valuable to be allowed to work, and such work as he was noted for in his own country is now performed by a near and little-known relative the Border Terrier, dealt with elsewhere.
Fig. 100. - Mrs. Peel Hewitt's Dandie Dinmont Tommy Atkins.
Again, a point that the present-day fancier seems to be losing sight of is the characteristic and beautifully arched body of this Terrier. If those who are interested in the breed will but take the trouble to carefully scan many of the dogs seen on the show-bench to-day, they will find that the arch exists, but in the wrong place. It cannot be too emphatically laid down that the Dandie Dinmont Terrier's arch should be over the loins, instead of, as it not infrequently is, in the centre of the back, where it betokens weakness - a fault that is also strongly indicated in those weedy, perfectly straight-backed specimens that by courtesy are known as Dandie Dinmont Terriers.
In the past the trimming and touching up of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier have been notorious, the head and face in particular coming in for their share of the hairdresser's misdirected art. The fact is that many have done with finger and thumb what should have been done by selection and breeding. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier Club has now risen to the occasion by refusing to countenance the wholesale plucking of head and body that once obtained. No doubt the decadence of its very near relative the Bedlington Terrier, owing to the amount of trimming thought necessary, has acted as a warning.
Apart from those who might require the Dandie Dinmont Terrier as a show dog, there is a very big public that love dogs for the sake of their companionship and the deeds that they can perform. To such may be commended a perusal of the following lines that were specially contributed to The Bazaar by the late Mr. Thomson Gray.
Starting with the assertion that for the one-dog man or the all-round sportsman there is no Terrier that excels or even equals the Dandie Dinmont Terrier, which he characterises as the wise old man of the Terrier group, he says: -
"A quaint dog is the Dandie. About his origin I am not going to say anything here. That he differs from all and every other breed of Terrier in many essential points is apparent, and his compound outward form is just in keeping with his compound accomplishments. I had one who for fifteen years was my only canine companion: he followed me everywhere but to the kirk on Sunday, and would have gone there also had he been allowed, and I am sure behaved as well as any there.
See the Dandie as he lies there on the rug, with the cat in his 'oxter' - a harmless, sleepy, very dull-looking dog. The head is raised, and a low growl is heard, and as the head comes round we see the dark hazel eye is lighted up, and we now hear footsteps approaching the door. The dog is now on his feet, and we see a heavy-boned, long-bodied dog, with an arched loin not unlike that seen in a ferret. His legs are firmly planted on the ground, his big, heavy-looking head is raised, and he emits a deep bark, which grows louder and louder as the footsteps approach, until the door is opened and a friend announced; then the tail gets a wag, and he resumes his place on the rug.
There is no better watch-dog than a Dandie, and he will not be quieted with fine words and bonny phrases. The Dandie is a dog that does not take up with everybody. He has his friends, and he sticks to them. He is of a 'dour' nature, slow to rouse, but when once roused, a veritable Bulldog. When two fall out in a kennel, one has always to succumb. They may die; but they will not give in.
As rat-hunters Dandies are very efficient, and no rat has a chance once the Terrier gets hold of him, no matter where it is. They are excellent rabbit-dogs, not too fast and not too noisy, though they have the bad habit of breaking all the bones of any rabbit that they capture. They are not difficult to train to retrieve, but I have always found them very hard in the mouth. They are excellent all-round dogs for the single sportsman, and may be used for almost any sport; their nose is so good and their pertinacity in following up a scent extraordinary.
 
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