How long does a Dandie Dinmont Terrier live?

The listed lifespan for a Dandie Dinmont Terrier is 12–15 years.

How tall is a Dandie Dinmont Terrier?

The listed height for a Dandie Dinmont Terrier is 8–11 in.

Is a Dandie Dinmont Terrier good with children?

The AKC good-with-children score for a Dandie Dinmont Terrier is 3 out of 5.

When is a Dandie Dinmont Terrier full grown?

The growth size band for a Dandie Dinmont Terrier is 8–12 months.

Terrier Group

Dandie Dinmont Terrier

Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a small dog in the Terrier Group. Adult weight is 18–24 lb, height is 8–11 in, and the listed lifespan is 12–15 years. AKC describes the temperament as Independent, Proud, Smart.

Last reviewed November 1, 2026.

Dandie Dinmont Terrier dog — Photo: Canarian · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Lifespan12–15 years

Weight18–24 lb

SizeSmall GroupTerrier Group

Height

8–11 in

Energy

3 / 5

Shedding

2 / 5

Grooming

3 / 5

Trainability

4 / 5

Good with kids

3 / 5

The breed record

Across 45 single-size small breeds, a lifespan midpoint of 13.5 years is about the same as the 13.6-year average. A midpoint adult weight of 21 lb is about 5 lb heavier than the 16 lb average for those small breeds.

The listed origin is English-Scottish border. The coat is described as double, medium. The AKC energy score is 3 out of 5, 0.6 points below the group average of 3.6 for the Terrier Group. Shedding scores 2 out of 5, so loose hair is limited. Grooming scores 3 out of 5. Trainability scores 4 out of 5, which is a biddable score. Good with children scores 3 out of 5. Good with other dogs scores 3 out of 5. AKC ranked this breed number 186 in 2025.

Adult size is usually reached in 8–12 months (size-band statement (Salt et al. 2017): very small dogs reach maturity at 8-12 months). AKC parent-club recommended health screenings: No recommended health tests. These are screening tests, not a list of diseases the breed is guaranteed to develop.

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