Lately more often than not, when people spot Romeo and Wilkie strolling the streets and hobnobbing in the Greenwich Village dog run or in the Westchester area, they know the breed. Thanks to Ch. Hobergay Fineus Fogg (Harry), Dandie Dinmont Terriers are gaining increased recognition. This year, Best in Show at Westminster eluded the terrier named for Prince Harry of England for a second and final time. But the revered pooch, having won 57 events in 2006, still remains number one with the crowd.
Harry's handler is Bill McFadden. Bill knows champions, terriers and what it takes to win. In 2003, Bill took top prize at Westminster with Mick, a Kerry Blue Terrier. WOOF Patrol's inside scoop is that McFadden's next house dog will be a Dandie Dinmont Terrier. He's willing to wait-and likely will have to-because Dandie breeders are selective and the breed is rare.
The appeal of the Dandie ranges from those drawn to their must-notice protracted carriage, to their bouffant hairdo and loyal companionship. Their tapered wagging tails with hind legs longer than the set-wide-apart forelegs which keeps them close to ground and well suited for their original purpose of hunting small game such as foxes, otters and badgers, also makes them desirable. Finally there's the terrier's distinctive coloration classified as condiment shades of pepper and mustard. "You can't be in a bad mood when you're around them. They're clowns," states McFadden.
All three Dandies are excited about the new found attention and want folks to have a better understanding of both their needs and personality. The charming trio convinced their owners to speak with WOOF Patrol on the condition we would encourage dedicated and caring ownership for all breeds. We agreed.
Harry Mania
Westminster Harry groupies go wild over the bigheaded terrier that the New York Times tagged the 'puffy-dome-helmet' head. Take another look at the breed. The EYES have it. They are naturally penetrating radars with the ability to pinpoint the veracity of emotion.
Handler Bill McFadden and Harry pictured after winning best in breed in the 131st Westminster dog show Monday. Photo credit: Mary Altaffer / AP (courtesy of MSNBC).
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Bill McFadden: When we took Harry to the airport for his flight back home to Australia, he worked me over with his eyes. It was hard for me. However, he'll return to his family and be the king of the castle.
WOOF Patrol: What is it about the Dandie that gets to you?
McFadden: They work their brows with a million nuisances and subtleties that are beguiling. Dandies have a charismatic personality and a winsome personality. Showing the breed is enjoyable and likens itself to lounging with a loving lap dog.
WOOF Patrol: There's a wonderful quote you gave regarding show dogs. Mind if we repeat it?
McFadden: I've always said that show dogs are just pets that get to go to dog shows, the ring is just a small part of their lives. People have a misconception that Best in Show winners are little porcelain dolls, that they're placed on a shelf when the competitions and campaigns are over. But that's just not true. They're very much dogs, and they're very much loved.
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Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo
Manhattanite Kim Hastreiter grew up with Dandie Dinmont Terriers. She loves the breed. "They are mellow, low key-not nervous-super casual animals. They are not barky, not chewy and they seem to always want to please. They have a WONDERFUL nature."
Everyone knows that Romeo is the Statesman of the Robin Kovary small dog run in Washington Square Park. He roams the grounds with an eye towards making sure everything is where it should be. If need be, he will diffuse doggie conflicts with a stern baritone howl-bark warning much like a judge's gavel hitting the sound block. He lets them know their place in a dignified diplomatic manner."
The physical body of a Dandie Dinmont is as unique and rare as the breed. Kim aptly describes it like this: "Built like a fire truck. The front operates separately from the back. Because of their muscular big bodies and short legs, Dandies have always been a bit awkward on stairs and doing any acrobatic routines."
BREED NOTES:
- Height: from 8 to 11 inches
- Length: Measured from the top of the shoulders to root of tail should be one to two inches less than twice the height
- Average Weight: 18 to 24 pounds
- Color: Pepper or mustard
- Temperament: Temperament is described as independent, determined, reserved and intelligent.
- First Entered in Westminster Kennel Club: 1877
- Member of the Terrier Group
- Distinctive Character: True lovers
- The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is the only breed named for a literary character. Guy Mannering, a novel written by Sir Walter Scott in 1814.
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Dandie Dinmont Terriers are rare and face the possibility of extinction. Their "vulnerable native breed" status is noted by extremely low registration numbers. Only 33 Dandie puppies registered with the UK Kennel Club in the first half of 2006. In the United States, only 51 Dandie Dinmont Terriers were registered with the American Kennel Club during 2005. Kim, Editor and Publisher of Paper Magazine, is concerned about the delicate plight of Dandie Dinmonts. It took her three years to search out a breeder. She was then interviewed from A to Z before she was approved as a suitable Dandie owner.
Breeders also express concern, but caution about the importance of maintaining the integrity of the breed. No one wants to see an increase in the Dandie's popularity at the risk of enticing puppy mills to generate litters for the sake of making money.
Kim is getting the Dandie word out with Romeo, her four-legged publicity magnet, who never fails to garner attention.
Over four years ago, Pomo, WOOF Patrol's mascot, entered the Washington Square Park small dog run. Our greeter and tour guide was Romeo. Both Pomo and I were too shy to start a conversation and had no idea about doggie run etiquette. Romeo walked us around, showed us the ropes and then made sure we were properly introduced to our human and canine counterparts.
Romeo and Pomo share more than a dog run. They are both puppies that came into our lives after 9/11. We are two owners that had long been thinking about getting a puppy. A life and world changing event made us both rearrange our priorities. It turns out that many of us were on the fence about adding a dog to our family. Perhaps picking up after our pooch and caring for a new puppy made for a wonderful and healthy distraction from the world falling apart around us.
BREEDER PERSPECTIVE
For a time Romeo and Wilkie shared dog run turf. Last year, Wilkie, short for William, moved out of the city with his family. His mother, Roberta Warren, searched two years prior to obtaining a Dandie. Kim looked for three. Out of passion for the breed, neither woman gave up hope.
WOOF PatrolT self-admits to a Shih-Tzu-ism enthusiasm.
Roberta explained the Dandie magnetism to us: "You can see their souls in their huge brown eyes; their personalities are as unique and strong as their physique; they make taking a walk an adventure; their parents have a good sense of humor and a kind of temperament (Dandies are not very obedient but are very sensitive to criticism); they like to be watch dogs but from the comfort of an armchair or bed; they love food and are very clever in trying to get it; and they are great for people with allergies."
Roberta, like many of us, is not sure how to responsibly increase registration numbers for Dandie Dinmonts. However, she did share the following canine insight as related to her breed of passion.
"They are terriers through and through but seem to be more human-oriented than most other terrier breeds which we have met."
Wilkie
There's a delicate balance that needs to be considered due to the alarming decrease in Dandie Dinmont registration numbers. The breed typically is known for small litters (the average litter size is usually only 3-4 pups), a fact that does not appeal to commercial breeders.
Breeders of this unique dog are not ignoring the problem of the "vulnerable native breed". However, they are prudent and give priority to ensuring the integrity of the breed.
"A dog wags his tail with his heart."
-- Martin Buxbaum
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