Our first Dandie Dinmont 'Buttercup' was born on 25 November 1997, and after a long search for a Dandie, she became a Kuddlemee on 20 January 1998. She was mated to Wenabarr Just James @ Mishahda in March 2000 and on 2nd May 2000 produced 4 puppies one of which was Thistle, whose big brother can be seen in his lovely new home from the 'Digby' link on the Links page

The origins of the breed is lost in myth. It originates from the border country (The River Coquet Valley) between Scotland and England (they are regarded more as Scottish). They were bred for hunting, with powerful front paws on short legs - ideal for digging out small animals (you only have to see the garden for proof!!!)

The name comes from the book 'Guy Mannering' by Sir Walter Scott, published in 1814 - Dandie Dinmont was a character in the book. He was a border hill farmer who had many pepper and mustard terriers.

Interestingly, a border farmer called James Davidson lived, at this time, on Hindlee Farm and kept many of the mustard and pepper terriers. He met Walter Scott after the publication of the book. Naturally he was given the nickname of 'Dandie Dinmont' and it was also applied to his dogs and, as they say, the rest is history.

Dandie Dinmont (James Davidson) is buried in the family grave in Oxnam churchyard.

The inscription reads:- Also James Davidson (Dandie Dinmont)
their son late tenant in HINDLE Who Died
at Bongate 2nd Jan 1820 aged 55 years

This history is an abridged version from the booklet 'The Illustrated Standard of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier' published by the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Club in 1991.

This page was last updated 10 January 2001

©February 1999, Kuddlemee Terriers

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