Dandie Dinmont Terriers
Paul Keevil is this week鈥檚 guerrilla reporter. He took the 大象传媒 microphone for himself to draw attention to the dwindling number of .
Paul is desperate to stop the from dying out. Last year only 81 puppies were born in this country - it's the lowest ever figure. The dogs aren鈥檛 easy to breed because they have long backs and short legs so physically it's quite difficult.
Paul is also a winner of many dog and owner look a like competitions. Judge for yourself...
All Dandie Dinmonts descend from just one breeding pair. Genetically unsustainable. As a result of this - and current breeding practices - Dandies suffer from more than their fair share of genetic problems - Cushing's Syndrome, Glaucoma and orthopaedic problems among them.
Complain about this postIt was wonderful to hear my friend Paul Keevil extolling the virtues of the Dandie Dinmont. We have done our bit in my magazine, Dogs Monthly, but he has really driven this campagin and has done a wonderful job in promoting many fabulous but vunerable British breeds against the invading hords of breeds from around the world. Not that I can shout - my own breed is the Finnish Spitz, the national breed of Finland. It was good to hear the poem too but I was most struck but the way in which political correctness has infiltrated every aspect of the 大象传媒. Having done a piece about dogs it was clearly impotant to provide the correct 'balance' by ensuring that cats were also properly represented.
Complain about this postDavid Cavill
Some perspective is required here! Dandies have no more or less health problems than other breeds. Any problems we do have are currently being highlighted because, as Breeders, we are dealing with them and not sweeping them under the carpet.
All Dandies today go back to one dog, Piper, not one breeding pair. A very important difference.
Loved the report by Paul Keevil and the poem was stunning!
thank you from Hils
Complain about this postI think cross breeds are the way forward to strengthening the gene pool of pure breeds - a lot of pure bred dogs suffer from genetic problems and there are so many unwanted dogs in rescue homes - why create more? Get a mutt! (or pick a similar breed and cross with that - I have a 'Yorkie Russel' who is , naturally, the best dog in the world!)
Complain about this postThanks for the item on Dandies -anything that helps to preserve a wonderful breed and to spread the word about them is much appreciated.
Please print the poem on your site - it is a perfect summary of the problems and pleasures of Dandie ownership.
Complain about this postIt was great to hear a piece on Dandie Dinmont Terriers. I have had this breed for over 20 years and love them. Thanks for bringing to the attention of the public the Vulnerable Status of this, one of the oldest British Terrier breeds. Come and visit us at Discover Dogs at Earls Court on 11/12th November. Come and cuddle a Dandie!
Complain about this postHow nice to hear an item on Dandies, a wonderful breed that most people have never heard of. I have been owned by a succession of Dandies for thirty years and certainly wouldn't consider another breed. Yes, they are stubborn and have minds of their own, but who can resist their lovely soulful eyes with melting expressions and their great character. Well done Paul, Sheila and Penny and well done Matt Harvey for the very amusing poem.
Complain about this postThe Dandie Dinmont is the jewel in the crown of dogdom, and Paul Keevil is to be commended for his tireless efforts to keep the Dandie breed alive and well.
I live in the U.S., and it is difficult, if not impossible to adopt a Dandie.
Thank you, Paul Keevil, for your hard work and dedication, and thank you, 大象传媒, for airing the story. Please, please print the poem.
Complain about this postGreat to hear such an interesting item on the programme about this special breed. I have 4 of these fantastic dogs and really hope we can turn their numbers around. They have strong charming personalities and are ideal dogs for family life - mine even get trained in obedience and agility (very small jumps!).
Complain about this postI'm the Secretary of in the UK (The oldest of the 3 breed clubs) and I wholeheartedly support Paul's wonderful work in bringing our wonderful breed to the attention of the public.
It was a fantastic piece and summed up the pleasure of owning these wonderful little dogs perfectly - despite their short fat hairy legs - I'll never look at Paul in quite the same way again!!!!
We are working very hard within the breed to try and secure the future of the Dandie - Recent work has included the availibility of a huge number of pedigrees online for the first time ever - Thanks have to go to the for making this possible which will help us all make better decisions with regard to future litters, a is about to take place to try and establish our true population in the UK and will hopefully lead on to the formation of a Stud Dog register - all these contribute to the breeding practices so critiscised by Jemma
The Dandie is a very special breed and we are not going to let it die out without one hell of a fight
Thanks to Radio 4 for hosting the piece and to all involved in making it
Complain about this postTake a Dandy Dinmont for a walk and be assured of smiles from all those you meet on the way! Well done Paul and Sheila, and thanks to Fi for getting this piece on air.
Complain about this postIf you can identify a breed of dog that has no genetic faults, Jemma, you could make a fortune. And I wonder why that hoary old myth about crossbreeds/mutts being healthier is still hanging around. We Dandie owners do NOT have to defend our breed. We know what we have and are happy there are so many dedicated breeders and owners on both sides of the Atlantic that are working hard to preserve this wonderful breed. I have owned three Dandies here in Canada and will never own anything else, this in spite of having owned a number of other breeds over my seven+ decades. I have kept in close touch with my breeders who have become friends - this for over 25 years! My sincerest appreciation to them, and to Paul Keevil in the UK, for their continuing efforts to promote one of the finest breeds known to humans.
Complain about this postIs it possible to read again the poem composed on the show on Saturday about Dandie Dinmonts? Can't seem to find it on the web site.
Many thanks
Christine Walton
Complain about this postGreat to hear the piece on Dandie Dinmonts
Complain about this postthey are such a special treasure of a breed
more people should lear of their very special charm
thankyou 大象传媒
The poem is great too
Lets all stand up for dandies!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am sorry to hear Jemma@s comments
Complain about this postI have owned and loved dandies for nearly 40 years and everyone has been healthy.
Sweeping statements are not helpful
Dandies are indeed a very special breed
and we are working together within the breed to promote their health and happiness.
Field spaniels for example came from 1 pair after the war.
I have at home 4 special dandies who are the picture of health
Long may dandies be around
Congratulations to you, Paul Keevil and Sheila on the report concerning the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. The only downside was that it was so short.
Complain about this postThe Dandie is a wonderful breed, very affectionate, easy to keep and while occasionally obstinate this only adds to their appeal. They are delightful to live with.
A very big hearted dog in a small body and every effort must be made to save the breed.
I would recommend that anyone who wants a lovable, loyal, fiesty lttle character for a pet should get a Dandie. They are great companions, travel well and are not just a 'ladies dog'. In spite of their comic shape they are powerful dogs and great hunters with an enormous zest for life. It would be a very sad day if this breed of terrier were allowed to die out.
Complain about this post"If you can identify a breed of dog that has no genetic faults, Jemma, you could make a fortune. And I wonder why that hoary old myth about crossbreeds/mutts being healthier is still hanging around."
Yes, almost all purebred dogs have genetic faults - sadly made far worse by breeding practices which have multiplied the number of bad recessive genes floating round in a small population. I'm not having a go at Dandies - just pointing out that you're up against the laws of population genetics when dealing with a small gene pool.
As for "that hoary old myth about crossbreeds/mutts being healthier", I'm afraid you are wrong. First generation crosses are on average healthier than their parent breeds because they are less inbred. And that's why insurance for xbreeds is often cheaper.
Complain about this postThank you for the fabulous piece about the Dandie on Saturday. I nearly missed it but fortunately a friend rang me to say you were broadcasting it. However, I missed the poem at the end. Please, please, please could you e-mail me a copy of the poem?. Dandies are fabulous dogs and I try to collect anything (fact or fiction) about them. I am "owned" by Shona, the delight of my life and the Dandie Dinmont "Terr(i)orist" of the neighbourhood!!
Complain about this postListened with much interest and amusement to the interview with Paul and Sheila re Dandie Dinmont Terriers - without a doubt one of the most engaging breed of dogs in the world !
I live in Canada but have been able to follow Paul's "one man band" in his endeavours to bring the plight of the Dandie to the forefront.
Well done Paul - with an aside to his partner Sheila....
Is there any breed of dog which does not have generic faults?
Today's Dandies are not all descended from one breeding pair - they are all descended from one male - Mr.Skilling's "PIPER" - through different bitches - that is a significant difference from one breeding pair?
The poem was terrific - is it possible to get a printed copy?
Keep going Paul, the nay sayers will fall by the wayside sooner or later!
Betty Olsen
Complain about this postSnoring. You never mentioned Sleep Aponia which is stopping breathing, me apparantly 60 times per hour, waking up tired. I snore for England!
Complain about this postSaw specialist and waiting to see another for an Oxygen mask which apparently may do the trick but when I mentioned MAD to the previous specialist was dismissive.
Main problem is that I have to inform the DVLA as if I have an accident, my insurance is void and if anyone is killed I can be done for manslaughter. So snoring means you can lose your licence-worse than drink driving Help.
I listened with interest about the long married couple's snoring saga. My wife and I have been married for 30 years and for many of these she has slept with sponge ear plugs to deaden the sound of my snoring, which has progressively got worse as my weight increased. A year ago I decided to be the guinie pig for the dental practise at which she is a nurse and had a MAD made for me. The result was instantaneous with few draw backs. Quiet sleep unless you raise your arms above shoulder height, both parties sleep better as you are able to relax (in the same room), jaw can feel a little stiff in the morning but cured by a cup of tea, not comfy sleeping face down as it puts pressure on the device (basically like a plastic gumshield). Since our success there have been many more in the practise but beware DIY devices bought over the internet, they don't work and cause pressure damage to the teeth - visit your dentist for advice.
Complain about this postWho plays and what is the name of the music in the closing credits of the show?
I can't quite place it but I like it!
Complain about this postCould someone try and tone down Fi Glover. Awful whimsical twittering, enough to put one what is anyway a pretty dire programme. It would be very nice to have something worth listening to between 0900 and 1000 on a Saturday morning, which as far as I am concerned is peak listening time. Other things to do later in the morning, like shopping.
Complain about this postWhen that frightful previous programme disappeared one had hopes of something better. Unfortunately, no such luck.
I wish the programme would develop some variety of tone. It's one note - just so self-consciously smart, knowing, ironic. Fi Glover is very talented but her presenting style becomes irritating after a while. It's as though nothing is quite serious or worth believing in, everything is a subject for mild, ironic ridicule. Saturday Live seems mildly infatuated with its own cleverness.
Complain about this postI wish the programme would develop some variety of tone. It's one note - just so self-consciously smart, knowing, ironic. Fi Glover is very talented but her presenting style becomes irritating after a while. It's as though nothing is quite serious or worth believing in, everything is a subject for mild, ironic ridicule. Saturday Live seems mildly infatuated with its own cleverness.
Complain about this postI have a Dandie and he is the most wonderfull dog I have ever had, the loyalty and bravery in these little dogs puts us humans to shame and also the love they show to their family. In adoration to my wonderfull dog Conker
Complain about this postJust beginning our search for a Dandie (most likely two) ...any suggestions.
We are in the USA.....Mid-Atlantic Region.
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