Dwarves are a long-lived, hearty and proud race. Typical lifespan seems to be about 200 years or more.
Dwarven women have beards, we are pretty sure. Get used to it.
Dwarves have not always hated elves. In fact, at many times in the history of middle earth they have been close friends of the elves. However, there are also a few cases of strife in their past, and perhaps also a general distrust or suspicion between the two races, since they don't share the same interests or understand each other too well.
Notable acheivements by Dwarves:
In the First Age, the Dwarves assisted the armies of the men and elves mightily at several battles against the forces of Morgoth. Most notable was their defense against the dragon Glaurung when he first appeared, since their armor (esepecially their face-masked helmets) resisted the dragon's flame. The King of Nogrod, Azaghal wounded the dragon and forced him to retreat from the battle, but was crushed and slain by Glaurung in the process.
Gimli, need I say more!
Well, there's more, just be patient...apparently they saved Elrond and his forces in the 2nd age, and they sacked Doriath in the 1st age and their king almost slew one of the greatest heros of the first age, Beren One-hand (not something to be proud of, really, just an indication of their strength of arms).
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