Dandie Dinmont Terrier

Brushing Routine

Brush the Dandie Dinmont's unique coat 3-4 times weekly with a pin brush and medium comb. The coat is a crisp mixture of hard and soft hair, with a distinctive silky topknot. Hand-strip the body coat to maintain proper texture. Use a soft brush on the topknot to avoid breaking the fine silky hair. Comb through the leg furnishings and underbody where the softer coat mats.

Bathing Tips

Bathe every 4-6 weeks with a mild shampoo. Use a light conditioner only on the topknot and furnishings, not on the body coat which should remain crisp. The body coat benefits from a texturizing shampoo. Pat dry the topknot carefully and blow-dry on low to preserve the silky texture separately from the body coat.

Common Issues

• Topknot breakage from rough handling
• Body coat softening if not properly hand-stripped
• Mat formation in softer undercarriage and leg furnishings
• Back problems (IVDD) requiring careful positioning on grooming table
• Ear hair growth and potential infections

Extend Your Grooming Results

Regular hand-stripping every 8-10 weeks maintains the proper coat texture that clipping cannot replicate. Between strips, pull loose dead hairs by hand to maintain the coat's crisp feel. Apply a light silk spray to the topknot to keep it flowing and prevent breakage.

Seasonal Care

The hand-stripped coat sheds minimally. Clipped coats will shed more as the coat texture changes. In summer, the crisp outer coat protects from sun. In winter, the double-layered coat provides warmth. The topknot requires year-round maintenance regardless of season.

Maintenance Schedule

Brush 3-4 times weekly. Groom topknot daily. Check and comb furnishings every other day. Clean ears weekly. Trim nails every 2-3 weeks. Professional hand-stripping every 8-10 weeks or clipper trim every 6-8 weeks.