Pure Dog Talk

Couture, Controversy, and the Future of Purebred Dogs with Caroline Clegg

[caption id="attachment_17058" align="alignleft" width="300"] Caroline Clegg and Natasha, featured in the Elite Runway Experience.[/caption]

Host Laura Reeves is joined by preservation breeder Caroline Clegg to pull back the curtain on the Elite Runway Experience currently rolling out on social media. Fusing the worlds of high fashion and purebred dogs, this groundbreaking project has sparked massive debate across the dog world. Is it a brilliant modern marketing move, or has the fancy lost its way? Laura and Caroline dive headfirst into the social media storm, addressing the critics directly and explaining the deeper "why" driving this bold experiment.

The Controversy: Addressing the Backlash

The announcement of the Elite Runway Experience immediately got the dog world talking, and not all of the feedback was positive. Laura and Caroline tackle the major criticisms circulating in the community:
"It Should Be About the Dogs, Not Modeling":Critics argue that the event focuses too heavily on glitz and glamour rather than the animals themselves. Caroline responds that looking only at the fashion show is a superficial reading of the project. For her, the high-fashion couture is simply a striking visual "hook" designed to grab the public's attention so breeders can "reel them in" and share their passion.
The Question of Diversity:Early social media promotions led to questions about whether the lineup would only feature "two skinny white girls with blonde hair" or a highly exclusive group of young, pretty people. Caroline notes that these concerns, while valid, were premature. As the project rolls out its eight founding members, including Willie Santiago from South America, the lineup represents a wide variety of heights, genders, skin tones, weights and body shapes.
Breaking the "1986" Mentality:Dog enthusiasts are famously conservative and bound to tradition. Caroline admits she is highly traditional herself, but agrees with Laura who argues that "doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result" is insanity. With dog shows losing public support and battling anti-breeder sentiment for decades, she argues it is time to step out of the comfort zone. If the event fails, "we tried" and everyone can have a good laugh at Caroline falling on her face on a runway, she says. But if it succeeds, it opens invaluable doors for the sport.


The "Why": Purpose Behind the Couture

Beyond the beautiful dresses and professional cameras, the Elite Runway Experience is built on a foundation of education and advocacy:
Daily "Behind-the-Scenes" Care:The core of the project is the professional film crew capturing the breeders' daily lives. Caroline wants to bust the public misconception that show dogs are simply kept "in a box somewhere" and only taken out to run in circles on Thanksgiving Day. Through social media and behind-the-scenes content, they will show that these dogs are celebrated athletes who receive top-tier conditioning, exercise, mental stimulation, and love.
A Proven Blueprint for Modern Marketing:Caroline shares fascinating research comparing dog show television ratings to horse racing. While the Kentucky Derby saw declining ratings for years, they turned it around and skyrocketed viewership using two modern tools: a massive TikTok influencer and a behind-the-scenes Netflix documentary. The Elite Runway Experience hopes to use this exact blueprint to reach a younger, digital-first generation through platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
Spotlighting Rare Breeds:For Caroline, a major motivation for participating is her breed, the Kuvasz. Because the Kuvasz is so rare that even many dog people don't know what they are, having her dog Natasha on a national, highly visible stage is an invaluable preservation opportunity.


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Mentorship in Motion: The Power of Partnership

Sandra Pretari-Hickson joins host Laura Reeves to discuss her 25-year partnership with Betty-Anne Stenmark and how their shared devotion and collaborative mentorship have preserved the iconic King's Mountain Dandie Dinmont Terrier legacy.
This episode of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Diaries is part of Pure Dog Talk’s Clubhouse. The series features members of the Club Partnership Program who are working to preserve the knowledge of their legacy breeders.
Episode Highlights
The Spark of a Historic Partnership: Sandra shares the story of meeting Betty-Anne at a handling class, a chance encounter that led to Betty-Anne gifting Sandra her very first Dandie, "Kings Mountain Mousetrap," and cementing a 25-year breeding partnership.
A Shared Vision for a Distinct Type: Working hand-in-hand, Sandra and Betty-Anne established an internationally recognized breed type. Sandra explains their 50-year joint commitment to never compromising on correct front assemblies, classic heads, athletic movement, and the signature long outline.
Navigating the "Gene Puddle" Together: Sandra discusses managing a rare breed's limited gene pool (coined a "gene puddle" by Betty-Anne). By combining their expertise, they utilized tight line breeding, imported frozen semen from across the globe, and coordinated artificial inseminations to safely preserve the line.
Honest Evaluation and Ruthless Selection: Mentorship requires tough, honest decisions. Sandra details how she and Betty-Anne evaluate slow-maturing puppies at 10 weeks and why maintaining breed integrity means placing dogs with significant faults into happy companion homes.
Preserving the "Stand-Up" Terrier Temperament: Sandra emphasizes the importance of protecting the athletic, working drive of the Dandie Dinmont. She shares her dedication to keeping the "terrier in the terrier" through active socialization, barn hunt sports, and earthdog trials.
Passing the Torch to the Next Generation: True partnership extends beyond a single lifetime. Sandra highlights how she is actively paying her mentorship forward by guiding two to three promising young breeders to ensure the King’s Mountain legacy continues to thrive.


For more information about joining Pure Dog Talk's Clubhouse Series and becoming a Club Partner, stop by the website.

The Sloughi: Inside the "Telepathic" World of the AKC’s Rarest Sighthound
One distinction between Sloughi and Azawakh is the Moroccan dogs will have no white markings, Wyatt said.[/caption] Host Laura Reeves is joined by Erika Wyatt to explore the AKC's least popular fully recognized breed: the fascinating and rare Sloughi. Called "the best-kept secret in the AKC," this ancient, intuitive breed has a rich history and an unparalleled devotion to its owners. Erika dives deep into the breed's origins in the North African Maghreb, where they were bred as hunting and guarding companions by nomadic Bedouins and Berbers. She explains what makes them distinct from Azawakhs and Salukis, what it's truly like to live with these sensitive and clean "telepathic" hounds, and their surprising versatility in dog sports. In this episode, you’ll learn:The Ancient History:How the Sloughi transitioned from a nomadic desert hunter to an AKC-recognized breed.
Sloughi vs. Azawakh vs. Saluki:The crucial physical, structural, and temperamental differences between these three unique sighthounds.
Living with a Sloughi:Their sensitive, clean natures, minimal grooming requirements, and why they excel with intuitive, thoughtful owners.
Exercise & Training:Why they need daily opportunities to gallop but don't require you to be a marathon runner yourself.
How to Find One:With only 12 litters in the US in the last decade, how you can connect with responsible code-of-ethics breeders.

If you've ever been curious about this elegant, loyal, and rare breed, this is the ultimate deep dive! More information from the Parent Club HERE.

"A Little Person in a Dog Body": Inside the Whimsical World of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Sandy Wolfskill showing a Dandie to Anne Katona.[/caption] Pure Dog Talk host Laura Reeves sits down with Elfwish Kennels' Sandy Wolfskill to explore the art of preservation breeding, global pedigree collaboration and what it truly takes to safeguard the historic Dandie Dinmont Terrier for the next generation.
This episode of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Diaries is part of Pure Dog Talk’s Clubhouse. The series features members of the Club Partnership Program who are working to preserve the knowledge of their legacy breeders.From Corgis to Dandies:Sandy shares how a ring-stewarding gig in Pennsylvania first introduced her to Dandie Dinmont Terriers, detailing how she fell in love with their "little person in a dog body" personality before acquiring her first Dandie bitch from Betty-Anne Stenmark in 2004.
A Global Preservation Network:Sandy emphasizes the power of international breeding partnerships, highlighting her work with Emma Greenway in Australia and her decision to transfer the Elfwish Frozen Semen Bank to Harriet Buckley in England to empower the next generation of breeders.
The Pillars of Breed Type:Drawing from author Richard Beauchamp, Sandy breaks down the five core pillars of breed type: character, silhouette, head and expression, a penciled double-coat, and free, smooth movement.
Breeding Philosophy and Selection:From running "what-if" pedigrees on her computer to assessing wet puppies the second they are born, Sandy explains why line breeding beats constant outcrossing, and why breeders must be brutally honest about faults, especially when it comes to fronts.
Defining Success in the Ring and Home:Sandy explains that preserving this historic Scottish farm dog is about finding a balance between maintaining physical breed standards, preserving correct, livable temperaments, and, above all, having fun.

Beyond the Curls: Brains, Beauty and "Dad Jokes" of the Irish Water Spaniel
[caption id="attachment_16944" align="alignleft" width="300"] Stacy Duncan and one of her Irish Water Spaniels.[/caption] Host Laura Reeves sits down with lifelong dog handler, breeder, and Westminster Best Junior winner Stacy Duncan to celebrate "Love the Breeds Month" with a captivating look at the rare and remarkable Irish Water Spaniel (IWS). Often described as a curly-haired powerhouse packed with personality, this ancient breed is one of the original eight recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). Stacy shares what makes these dogs incredibly unique, from their physical adaptations to their legendary intellect and quirky sense of humor. Key Takeaways from this Episode:
A Fearless Heritage Built for Bogs:Originally developed in Ireland to retrieve game from treacherous, shiftingpeat bogs, the IWS possesses incredible lung capacity and physical resilience. Stacey describes their relentless drive to hunt, detailing how they will fearlessly dive straight through thick blackberry brambles to retrieve a bird.
The Practical Purpose Behind the Features:The breed’s unique anatomy is entirely functional. Their famous"rat tail" acts as a natural rudderin rough waters. Meanwhile, their tight, curly coat includes a thick ear-to-earbeard to protect their throatand atopknot to shield their eyesfrom sharp sticks and briars in the field.
"With Great Intelligence Comes Great Responsibility":Stacy warns that these dogs are thinkers. They are brilliant enough to learn almost anything. Stacy even highlights an IWS service dog who learned to run a washing machine and insert coins. But if you don't challenge their minds, they will find creative (and often unauthorized) ways to entertain themselves.
The Curly Coat Reality Check:Because they have hair rather than fur, they are highly hypoallergenic-ish and do not go through massive seasonal sheds. However, their tight curls will "pelt" if not properly maintained. Stacy advises owners to keep utility coats clipped to about two inches and emphasizes the absolute necessity of combing all the way down to the skin.
Aloof Judges of Character:While they are incredibly snuggly and devoted to their "inner circle," the breed standard labels them"aloof with strangers". Stacy explains that this isn't shyness or fear, but rather a dignified observation period where the dog is actively judging your character before deciding if you're worth their time.

Whether you are looking for an elite sporting partner, a versatile obedience competitor, or just a goofy companion who thinks their own "dad jokes" are hilarious, the Irish Water Spaniel is a breed that is impossible to ignore.