Pure Dog Talk

Dandies Down Under: Breeding with Integrity and Soft Outlines

Laura Reeves sits down with Emma Greenway of Jolly Gaze kennels in Victoria, Australia, for an in-depth conversation on the history, breeding and styling of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
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.
[caption id="attachment_17065" align="alignleft" width="300"] Emma Greenway and two Jolly Gaze puppies.[/caption]

Drawing on nearly 40 years of experience, a background as a historian, and a PhD in Australian canine history, Emma shares her unique perspective on how geographic isolation forced her to “interrogate” the breed standard.

Whether you are a Dandie devotee or a general student of dog history, this episode offers a masterclass in breeding with integrity, mentoring across borders and staying true to the soul of your breed.
From Schnauzers to Dandies: The Early Lessons of SportsmanshipEmma began her journey with Miniature Schnauzers, learning the ropes of grooming, showing and standard analysis from a generous mentor who modeled impeccable sportsmanship and grace in defeat.
Her early love for the Dandie Dinmont Terrier eventually led her to seek out the breed, though she faced the hurdle of only one active breeder remaining in Australia at the time.






"Generosity breeds generosity... we have to work together and we have to share our knowledge." — Emma Greenway
The Quest for the Foundation Bitch: Flying to the UKDetermined to acquire a top-tier foundation bitch, Emma traveled to the UK. She studied the breed standard obsessively and chose a bitch at a Birmingham show purely based on her own standard evaluation rather than the judge’s placement.
Through the generosity of a prominent UK breeder, Emma secured her foundation bitch in 1992 (arriving in Australia in 1993), which she later bred to a respected male acquired from New Zealand expats.




A Historian’s Eye on the Australian Dandie Legacy
Emma recounts the history of Dandie Dinmonts in Australia, noting they were reintroduced in 1969 by Mary McCall (initially a Westie breeder) using imports from the famous Bellmead Kennels.
She shares the chilling story of Bellmead maid Peggy Hume, who described the tragic loss of bloodlines during WWII, wheeling down deceased dogs in wheelbarrows due to extreme wartime starvation.
Other early Australian pioneers of the breed ultimately drifted away from Dandies because establishing lines and winning against flashy terriers was exceptionally difficult.






"Our breed standard says body colour coming well down shoulder and hips gradually, gradually emerging into colour of legs. Not a line. Not a line anywhere. It's a gradual merging. It's natural." — Emma Greenway
The Advantage of Isolation: Rejecting the "Cookie-Cutter" RecipeWhile isolation in Australia presented logistical hurdles, Emma credits it as a blessing. Without local handlers or a dominant local show trend to emulate, she was forced to deeply interrogate the breed standard to guide her grooming and breeding choices.
She warns against "recipe grooming"—where exhibitors blindly copy winning handlers without understanding why. Interrogating the standard yourself builds a detailed eye for puppies and prevents kennel blindness.




Grooming Philosophy: Soft Curves vs. Sharp Lines
Coming from Miniature Schnauzers, Emma highlights the stark contrast in grooming: Schnauzers are about sharp, square lines and dramatic skirts.
Dandies, by contrast, are defined by soft, natural curves. Emma notes that the standard explicitly calls for the body color to gradually merge into the leg furnishings, rather than displaying a sharp, abrupt line or skirt.






"In dandies, we don't have the luxury of throwing everything out. Sometimes you have to go back a bit to go forward a bit. Or sideways." — Emma Greenway
Breeding Priorities: Multi-Generational Planning in a "Gene Puddle"Emma describes the reality of breeding a rare breed with highly restricted genetics. Referencing Betty-Anne Stenmark’s famous description, she notes that Dandie breeders are working in a "gene puddle" rather than a gene pool, where all living dogs trace back to just two 19th-century stud dogs.
Because she is the sole active breeder in her region, Emma must plan 3 to 4 generations ahead to ensure genetic diversity and preserve future combination options.
While she predominantly line breeds, she occasionally imports outside lines. Her selection criteria post-outcross focus heavily on keeping puppies that resemble the Jolly Gaze style while selecting for softer, more pet-friendly temperaments.




The Hallmarks of a Dandie: Outline, Head and the Power of "Weasley"
If summarized, the hallmark of the Dandie Dinmont lies in its outline and headpiece.
Emma champions the preservation of the word "Weasley" (present in UK, Canadian, and original standards, but omitted from the US standard in the 1970s), which beautifully captures the breed's distinct curvy silhouette and athletic capability.




The Social History of Breed Standards and the Future of Dog Shows
Drawing on her PhD research, Emma discusses how modern breed concepts didn't exist before 1820. She notes that while working "utility" drove early types, the 19th-century middle class artificially shaped breed standards to elevate the dogs' social status.
Looking ahead, Emma voices concern about the aging community, rising administrative regulations and the lack of young exhibitors learning to groom. She sees Asia's rising middle class as a shining hope for the future of purebred dogs.

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.