Dandie Dinmont Terriers in the UK

Your 'passport' is a Dandie Dinmont - your mission is 'fun'

Magdalene Hutchison, owner of Glenholm Kennels and the Caledonian Dandie Dinmont Terrier Club Rescue & Care Centre, is holding a Dandie Dinmont Terrier Fun Day on 24th May 2008.

It's a Fun Day for all the family and their Dandies but other breeds are welcome as long as they are accompanied by a Dandie!

Morning Coffee, Lunch and Afternoon Tea are included in the £5 entrance fee.

Of course a Fun Day is Fun! ...open between 11am and 5pm... with a Scottish Piper piping a Parade of Dandies at 1pm, stalls such as 'Bring and Buy' and Tombola, an Auction and a chance for your Dandie to try Mini Agility in Magdalene's Training Centre... but there is a slightly serious side as well as it's all in aid of Rescue.

Glenholm Kennels are the old Hunt Kennels for the Dumfriesshire Hunt. Home to the famous black and tan hounds bred on the Castle Milk Estate, the old buildings and facilities are gradually being restored by Magdalene. Still in evidence are the hounds' quarters with their beautiful quarry tile floors and raised sleeping areas, the puppy kennels and exercise areas. Hounds were fed from local farm sources and the impressive old machinery for boiling up and producing food still remains intact. One of Magdalene's long term aims is to preserve the old hunt kennel facilities and to possibly have a small museum. Sensibly she is tackling everything in 'projects' and phase 1 project, the main kennel block and fencing, is now complete. 

For people interested in the History of the Breed, you will be able to meet and chat with John Jardine whose father 'old John' and Uncle George owned the famous Waterbeck Kennels who bred foundation stock for many of our Breed's famous Kennels. Several of you will remember 'young John's' son, Ian Jardine, from shows in the early eighties. He owned a couple of dogs that Magdalene used to show for him. But it was 'young John' who was brought up surrounded by Dandie Dinmonts at the large Waterbeck Kennels and who will have many a tale to tell at the Fun Day!

Magdalene herself has a very strong connection with Waterbeck having lived in the village for many years. 'Old man' John, his brother George having died, had an accident. He fell asleep, burnt his foot and was admitted to hospital. Magdalene took in the remaining Waterbeck dogs at that time, showing Waterbeck Waughope (born 24th August 1974) and Waterbeck Premonition (born 4th January 1980) to great success. Unfortunately, whilst in hospital, old John fell out of bed and broke his hip which meant he never came out of hospital but spent the next few years, to end of his life, in a Nursing Home close to his family in Langholm.

During this time, Magdalene used to visit him and remembers one particular time, just before travelling to a show, going with Jen, his daughter-in-law, to see what old John thought of her presentation and grooming. The dogs were put on a hospital trolley, presented to old John and Jen said "what do you think then faither?"... old John replied "fine, fine but do you think she should have her own hair done?"!  'Young John', now in his mid 70s, and Jen never let Magdalene forget that to this day.

So you can see there will be lots of 'Dandie Chat' together with an opportunity to get answers to any Dandie questions you might have... 

Don't worry about the weather, there's plenty of undercover space and all you need for the day is your Dandie and you!

Contact Magdalene