Slovakian Hound vs Dandie Dinmont Terrier - Breed Comparison

The Slovakian Hound is also known as the Slovenský Kopov or the Black Forest Hound. This is a scenthound which comes from Slovakia in Central Europe and has been bred for boar hunting.

The breed was first recognized in the 1870s, with dogs such as the Austrian Black and Tan Hound as well as the Hungarian Greyhound being thought to be part of dogs ancestry. The breed club was established in 1988 and is recognized by the FCI.

The rough coated Dandie Dinmont Terrier originates from Scotland. They were used centuries ago for hunting otters and badgers.

There are theories that exist that the dog is a cross between Scottish- and Skye Terriers while others believe there must be some Dachshund in the mix because of the long body of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier was first recorded as a distinct breed in the late 1600s. The British Dandie Dinmont Terrier Club was formed in 1875 while the American Kennel Club recognized the Dandie in 1886.

The Slovakian Hound is a muscular dog of medium height and with a long tail and long drop ears. The short coat is always black with tan markings.

These compact looking dogs stand in height at about 43 to 47cm and weigh in the region of 14 to 17kg. The face is friendly and the eyes alert and bright.

Temperament:

Independent and intelligent, the Solvakian Hound will learn some basic commands easily. He is adaptable and will fit into life in the countryside as well as the city, so long as he is well exercised.

He is a sociable, playful dog and will do well with children, particularly if he has been trained and socialized. He is also a good choice for the first-time dog owner. He is alert and makes a good watchdog too.

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a small dog who stands between 20 – 28cm at the withers and weighs between 8 and 11kg. He is recognizable by his fluffy head of hair.

He actually has quite a unique look with his long body and slightly over-sized head. He has floppy ears and a long tail. His coat is quite unusual too in that it can be silky and long around the face, legs and belly, while the topcoat is fairly shortish and crisp. His coat color is fawn to brown or reddish. He isn’t a heavy shedder.

Temperament:

Known also as the Dandie, Charlie’s Hope Terrier, the Mustard and Pepper Terrier, the Dandie Dinmont makes an excellent family pet with his calm demeanor, being somewhat reserved around strangers.

He is an alert, intelligent little dog and will warn you of strangers coming into your space. He therefore makes a good watchdog. He is loving and loyal to his human family and will readily fit into life in the city or in the countryside.

They are good with children and pets but with his independent streak, he will require training and socialization if you want him to behave and be obedient.

His job as a hunting dog has meant that the Slovakian Hound is a brave, energetic, determined dog.

As a pet and companion, you won’t be disappointed as he puts as much effort into his relationships with his human family as he does with hunting.

This amicable dog makes a wonderfully loyal and devoted pet, companion and guard dog.

Your Dandie Dinmont is capable of being a wonderful companion. He loves spending time with his human family and is affectionate and loyal.

The small Dandie is able to fit into life in the city or country, just so long as he has his human family with him. Because he comes from Terrier dogs, he is no push-over though and he has an independent streak which will benefit from training and socialization.

Make sure you give this small dog of yours plenty of love and good care and you will find that you have a loyal, devoted friend in him.

Most dogs at some or other time will be faced with a particular health challenge. Most times the veterinarian can fix these problems with the right kind of treatment.

The Slovakian Hound is a healthy dog breed and you aren’t likely to come up with too many problems, though it it wise to be aware of some of the more common dog illnesses there are -

Hearing and Vision Loss:

This is something you can expect as your Slovakian Hound ages. It is brought on by tissue degeneration. With eyes, dogs can develop cataracts. With his ears, consistently cleaning and watching out for ear infections can also help with slowing down hearing loss.

Joint Problems:

Apart from hip dysplasia which can start with even very young dogs, osteoarthritis can cause joint pain and stiffness of joints. It’s a degenerative disease, but fortunately there are a number of treatments to alleviate pain. Remember that nutrition plays a huge role in reducing joint problems in dogs.

Cancer:

Cancer is also a disease that has no respect for the age of the dog or dog breed. When you brush your pet, feel for any unusual lumps. Not all lumps are cancerous but it will be a good idea to have your pet checked over by the vet.

Your pet Dandie Dinmont is a robust little dog who, with good care, can live to be anything between 12 to 15 years of age.

With every dog breed there will be health concerns, and these can include illnesses such as epilepsy as well as hypochondroplasia. All dogs have the potential to fall prey to health problems, and getting your pet from a reputable breeder can help to ensure you eliminate some of these diseases.

This small dog has a long body which means he can be affected by spinal problems. Genetics and body shape play a large role. Intervertebral disc disease is a condition where the cushioning discs between the vertebrae of the spinal column herniate into the spinal cord space. The discs press on the nerves and pain and paralysis can follow.

● Like every other dog, the Slovakian Hound will need exercise if he is to remain healthy and fit. There are lots of back-yard games for dogs such as hide and seek and ball and rope games. He will also love a daily walk.

● Always provide your dog with the best food there is as this encourages good health. Your Slovakian Hound requires top quality food, and while there are some good commercially manufactured foods on the market, it is important to choose the high quality ones that have natural, good ingredients in them.

Try to include some home-made food for him which can be simply mixed into the dry kibble twice a week. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots is super tasty and nutritious. Also try to include some raw meat into the diet occasionally as this helps with preventing skin diseases.

Make sure he always has access to clean, fresh water.

● Trim your Slovakian Hound's nails and check his eyes and ears for infection. The inside of the ears shouldn’t be red and the eyes should be clear and bright. If he will allow you to, check inside his mouth too to make sure there are no bad teeth.

● Provide your dog with a warm, dry place to sleep.

● Never, ever leave him in a hot car unattended to.

● Don’t allow your dog to have puppies. There are so many unwanted puppies all over the world. Rather have him or her spayed or neutered to avoid puppies that nobody wants. It is beneficial for his health too.

Exercise:

The Dandie doesn’t require as much exercise as some other dog breeds but you want to make sure he goes with you on your walks, or you play ball with him in the garden. You don’t want to see a small dog like this becoming obese as it can herald in a host of health problems.

Grooming:

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier doesn’t shed a hang of a lot but still, you will need to brush him twice a week to get rid of those loose hairs. Also, the coat will require stripping twice a year. Some dog owners who prefer a low maintenance breed might not like knowing this, but it is a necessary part of his grooming. There are some dog owners who cut the hair rather, but then the texture of the coat will change. This is only important to know if you want to show your Dandie. Other Dandie owners take their pets to a professional groomer for clipping.

Check the Ears and Teeth:

Because the Dandie has floppy ears and a lot of hair around the face and ears, you will need to check his ears for dirt and wax build-up as these can cause an ear infection. If you’re nervous to be going inside your dog’s ears, the vet or the dog groomer can show you how.

Also, little dogs like this are prone to tooth decay, and you will need to brush his teeth 2 or 3 times a week. This is because plaque and tartar buildup can cause mouth infections which contribute to other diseases within the body.