Preserving the Dome and the Dip: Secrets to Mastering the Dandie Dinmont Standard

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.

Host Laura Reeves is joined by the legendary Donna Francis of Elfwish Kennels. With a storied career spanning decades as an AKC-licensed professional handler, skilled groomer and breeder, Donna shares her rich history in the sport. She recounts her evolution from early days with Beagles, Siberian Huskies, and Pembroke Welsh Corgis to her deep-dive into Dandie Dinmonts.

Throughout the conversation, Donna provides master-class insights on the critical mechanics of canine structure, the realities of grooming a three-textured terrier coat, and why “type-to-type” line breeding remains the most reliable path to preserving the breed’s authentic hallmarks. Whether you are a newcomer looking for mentorship, an aspiring judge or a seasoned breeder, Donna’s candid advice offers a rare and valuable masterclass in breed preservation.

1. From a Sold Saddle to Siberian Huskies: Donna’s Early Years

• The $35 Beagle: Donna shares how she sold her horse saddle at age 11 to buy her first purebred Beagle puppy, who went on to become a champion at her very first dog show.
• Becoming a Professional Handler: After breeding Siberian Huskies in Olmsted Falls, Ohio, Donna worked hard to earn her AKC handling license, committing to perfection and developing an expert “eye for a dog”.
• The Birth of Elfwish: How a chance meeting with Sandy Wolfskill led to co-owning the number-one Pembroke Welsh Corgi bitch in the country and creating the “Elfwish” kennel name, inspired by a Corgi named Wishin and a small elf statue.

2. Falling in Love with the Dandie Dinmont

• Meeting Elsbeth: Initially finding them “funny looking,” Donna was won over by Elsbeth, a Dandie Dinmont breeder Betty-Anne Stenmark selected for them. Elsbeth went on to win the specialty that weekend and even charmed actor Orlando Bloom in first class on the flight home.
• Crufts Success with Kevin: Donna reflects on her “heart dog,” Kevin, who won second at the Terrier Group at Crufts and became a cornerstone stud dog for their breeding program, siring national winners for years.

3. Deep Dive into Structure, Type, and Movement

• The Danger of Over-Sizing: Donna warns that many modern Dandies are being bred too large, explaining that a head that is too big or a dog with incorrect proportions cannot properly enter and exit a burrow to do its historical job.
• The Anatomy of a Working Terrier:
  • The Rib Cage: A long rib cage is vital to protect the dog’s internal organs from badgers, paired with a slightly shorter loin.
  • The Topline: Dandies have a highly specific, slight topline rise that is easily bred incorrectly, warning against “roached” backs or rear-high structures.
  • Fronts and Feet: A correct front assembly requires a “wrap around” and strong, tight feet and toes so the dog can dig.
• Movement on the Go: Donna describes the ideal Dandie gate as a smooth, gliding reach and drive with a stable topline, cautioning against short, choppy steps that signal a flawed front assembly.

4. The Art and Challenge of Grooming

• Three Coat Textures: Grooming a Dandie is notoriously difficult because of their three distinct textures (the harsh outer coat, soft medium coat, and inner coat).
• Stripping and Scissoring: Donna discusses the necessity of stripping dead hair weekly to prevent the dog’s proportions from looking distorted, emphasizing that a bad grooming job can obscure a great dog, while expert grooming can make a poor structure look passable to untrained eyes.

5. Hard-Hitting Advice for Breed Preservation

• Type-to-Type Breeding: Donna strongly advocates for breeding “type-to-type” and line breeding, choosing pairs with highly similar physical styles rather than chasing superficial “all-breed winner” studs, which often results in a “mishmash” litter.
• The Value of Mentorship: Her primary advice for newcomers is to find a trusted mentor, stick with them, and ignore political gossip. She urges established breeders to open their arms and support new exhibitors rather than pushing them away.
• Temperament is Non-Negotiable: Donna explains that showmanship is “90% of it,” requiring a bold, tail-wagging dog with a stable, friendly temperament. She urges socialization through puppy classes and cautions against placing unstable temperaments in companion homes.
• Dandie Reproduction: Insights on the difficulty of breeding Dandies, including Donna’s success with side-by-side artificial insemination (AI) on a table, the necessity of pre-whelping x-rays and ultrasounds, and managing selective C-sections.

For more information on Dandie Dinmont Terriers.