LENGTH, SHAPE & TOPLINE IN THE DANDIE DINMONT TERRIER
The correct shape of the Dandie’s body is key to correct type, and the key words used to describe it are “slight” and “curves.” But another word I like to use to describe the Dandie is “wea- selly.” In every Breed Standard other than the AKC Standard, the word “weaselly” is used in the General Appearance section to describe the Dandie. Why it was omitted from ours I don’t know, as it’s such a beautifully descriptive word when referring to our Dandie. Why? Well, what is a weasel? It is a long, low, curvy, flexible, athletic, killing machine; everything a Dandie should be. You should see all of that when looking at a Dandie. It is the correct outline and topline that are not only critical to Dandie type but also what makes those toplines flexible, supple, well-muscled, and strong, with no weakness. Remember, “No Outline, No Dandie.” Yes, we say this same thing about a num- ber of breeds, but while there are other breeds with curvy out- lines, the Dandie’s outline is unique and like no other. It should never be a mystery as to what you’re looking at when looking at a correct Dandie silhouette. In 1951, the late Phyllis Salisbury of Salismore Dandies in the UK wrote, “The construction and mechanics of a well- made Dandie, with its short legs and long, arched and flexible body, must attain a high degree of perfection in order that the animal move with the balanced agility to carry out its work of vermin killing.” Again, one would say, well that is true of any dog bred to do a job, and yes, it is. However, I put to you that because the construction and mechanics of the Dandie are so very distinctive and unique, it is even more so in our breed. The trickle-down effect of an incorrect outline and topline are very, very real.
MBIS/MBISS/NBIS CH King’s Mtn. Angelina Ballerina Top-Winning Bitch in Breed History
MBIS/NBIS Am. CH/Aust. GCH Hobergays Finneus Fogg Top-Winning Dandie in Breed History
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Unlike a lot of dog people, Sandra Pretari Hickson was not born into the dog world. Sandra purchased her first show dog, an Akita, in 1993 when in her late 20s. She exhibited the breed for many years and is now a judge. Sandra is also currently licensed to judge the Working Group (minus four low-entry breeds that she will be applying for shortly), Dandies, Dachshunds, and Otterhounds. In 1996, Sandra met Betty-Anne Stenmark and her Dandies. Little did she know that it would be the start of a long friendship and partnership. After a couple of years helping Betty-Anne with her Dandies, Sandra received her first, CH King’s Mtn. Mouse Trap, a lovely bitch who had some great wins, but more importantly, changed King’s Mtn. Dandies forever in the whelping box. The King’s Mtn. partnership had begun.
In that litter was Sandra’s first All-Breed BIS winner, GCH King’s Mtn. Minnie Mouse, the top-winning owner-handled Dandie in breed history, and her first National Specialty winner, CH King’s Mtn. Stuart Little, sire to MBIS/MBISS GCHB King’s Mtn. Angelina Ballerina, the top- winning Dandie bitch in breed history with seven All-Breed Bests in Show, 10 Reserve Bests in Show, a National Specialty Best of Breed from the Veteran Class, winner of two All-Terrier Bests in Show, over 40 Group Firsts, numerous Group placements, and a Group IV at Westminster in 2015. The most remarkable thing about all of this winning is that “Angelina Ballerina” did it between the ages of 7.5 and 8.5 years, winning the National at nearly nine. She never met a dog show she didn’t like. Angelina is, by far, our most famous Dandie, but Sandra and Betty-Anne have certainly had several other Dandies of note. Most notable is MBIS/MBISS GCHB King’s Mtn. Prima Ballerina, Angelina’s daughter, the top Specialty-winning Dandie in breed history with four National Specialty wins (2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019), numerous Regional Specialty wins, and six Bests in Show. Having a mother and daughter win back- to-back Nationals and then having the daughter go on to win three more is probably Sandra’s proudest accomplishment as a breeder. “Darcy’s” sire, NBISS CH King’s Mtn. Robert the Bruce, was also a sire of note, producing 11 champions, bred sparingly, and was the 2011 National Specialty Best of Breed winner. Sandra is the former Show Chair and current Assistant Show Chair of the Del Valle Dog Club of Livermore and Skyline Dog Fanciers of San Mateo County. She is a member of the Akita Club of America, the Border Terrier Club of America, and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Club of America, holding numerous positions in the latter; Judges Education Chair, Mustard & Pepper Editor, National Specialty Show Chair, and former Board Member.
308 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, DECEMBER 2022
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