President – Baese Barbara
Barbara says, “My love of the breed began with a photo profile in an AKC breed book showing the “Don King” resembling topknotted adult Dandie, and my first encounter with a 12 week old puppy who looked like a stuffed toy to me. I was struck by this unique rare breed, as they are unusual appearing, appealing, sturdy dogs in small bodies”.
While living in California, Barbara got her first Dandie in January, 1990, from a DDTCA breeder living in an eastern state. Within six months, she obtained her second Dandie. “I was on my way to exhibiting and was committed to learning about breeding so that I could produce a Dandie litter of my own in the future”, she says. Still enthusiastic, Barbara exclaims, “My first Dandie activities included attending conformation training classes, setting up at pet fairs to represent the breed and doing shelter pet walk fundraisers and the annual Scottish Highland Games, to both expose my Dandies to various fun events and to give people a chance to meet and fall in love with this seldom-seen terrier breed”.
Within a short time, Barbara involved herself in DDTCA activities. She attended her first National Specialty in 1991, helped with rescue fostering through DID (Dandies In Distress), and was the club’s first AKC Legislative Liaison (a position she held for 15 years). Barbara helped organize the DDTCA National Speciality in 1995 and chaired the 2001, 2005 and 2011 Dandie Nationals. In addition, Barbara was the breed columnist for the AKC Gazette and has been on the Club's Board of Directors since 2003, Vice President from 2008-11 and President starting in 2012. She has had two certified therapy Dandies and visited senior centers and Alzheimer patients on a regular basis. She has also co-owned two Dandies with multiple Agility titles; one bred by Mollibay.
Regarding her breeding program Barbara says, “Over the past 23 years, I am proud to have produced many Dandie Dinmont Terrier litters and multiple champions that have won both club awards and who’ve ranked in the top 10 and top 25 of the breed. I have also been honored personally with several annual club trophies. However, the most rewarding experience within Dandies has been to share my dogs with new pet families and novice show exhibitors and to help others learn about our bree, to cherish and enjoy Dandies in the same way that I experienced my initial awe and joy when meeting that first Dandie puppy so many years ago”.
Vice President – Yoho Richard
Richard Yoho is a long time member of DDTCA and is committed to the club and to Dandie Dinmont Terriers.
Richard says, “I saw my first Dandie at the age of 10 and knew one day that I would own one. In fact, I have had many Dandies that have owned me over the years”. Richard is proud to share that all his Dandies, except for his first Dandie and an English import, have finished their championships from the Bred By Exhibitor class.
Richard has served the DDTCA for many years in various facets such as Board member, Chair of Ways and Means, and committee member of the Constitution and Bylaws Revision Committee and the Job Descriptions Committee. He is a past President of the DDTCA.
In 2007 Richard chaired the DDTCA Diamond Jubilee National Specialty, celebrating the DDTCA 75th anniversary as an American Kennel Club breed parent club.
The DDTCA has awarded Richard the Sportsmanship Trophy and the Windsedge Award for his exemplary sportsmanship and his dedicated service to Dandie Dinmont Terriers respectively. In addition to judging the Dandie Dinmont National Specialty in Moffat, Scotland, Richard has judged the DDTCA National Specialty Sweepstakes in Montgomery County and in Knoxville, TN.
On a personal note, Richard adds, “I have an undergraduate and masters degree in Art and masters in Administration. I was the teacher of the year in 2000 and own my own Interior Design business. After living 32 years in Connecticut we and our Windsedge Dandie Dinmont Terriers moved to the Orlando, FL area.”
Richard expresses, “I am pleased to serve on the Board of the DDTCA, Inc. and am grateful for the confidence the membership has placed in me”.
Treasurer – Hanowitz Diane
My first Dandie as child (1959) was Careyland's Miss Abigail, whose grandsire on both sides was Waterbeck Watermark. My family learned about grooming and showing the breed from Cliffield Kennel, and we bred her with a couple of their champions, albeit unsuccessfully. My sister tried her hand in the ring as a junior handler, and won her first time out. Abigail was beautiful inside and out and I was just a kid who loved her and knew she was special. I never forgot how great our Dandie was, and as an adult, had my share of dogs, always with the thought of having a Dandie again.
I want to thank Sharon and Peter Andrus for helping me re-ignite my desire to own and help preserve the breed. I hope that in some small way I can help promote the Dandie Dinmont and share how wonderful this breed is to everyone I meet. I am thrilled to currently have 2 Dandies: Derrydown's Camilla Vanilla (Millie) and Elwish's Golly Miss Molly (Moxie), with my extended family; 2 rescues: Ricky (Pomeranian) and Choo Chew Baby (ShihTzu). Silence is the exception in my home.
As the Treasurer for the Club, my personal bio includes a bachelor’s in accounting and management, an Executive MBA, an Ohio CPA, and I have been in some form of financial management for my entire business career.
Secretary – Becker Eileen
My husband, Lloyd, and I share our lives with two Dandies – Meg, an endearing pepper bitch, and Jock, the energetic boy whom I am presently showing. Our household also includes two cats, constant companions of the affectionate Jock.
I was drawn to Dandies because of their intelligent, friendly, confident, and playful nature – their rich history – and their need for dedicated owners interest in preserving the breed.
I am a Pharmacist and work for a pharmaceutical manufacturer. My interests include horseback riding and I own a sweet chestnut, Gulliver. Lloyd and I have four grown children and five grandchildren We live on the bucolic North Fork of Long Island, NY.
Board Member – M C
Although Miriam Couto’s first love was Irish Wolfhounds, a breed she still loves, her passion is Dandie Dinmont Terriers.Her love for Dandie Dinmonts began in 1998 while watching Ch Montizard King’s Mtn Kricket (Bred by Doug Young of Kennel Montizard) win her group placement at Westminster. Several years later Kricket’s grandaughter King's Mtn.Cordelia (bred by BA & Roy Stenmark, S Pretari) was whelped at Clossongrey. “We have enjoyed Dandies and Dandie puppies around our feet ever since”, Miriam says.
“I believe Dandies are the most incredible breed and have a desire to fight for them; their existence is precarious nowadays because their numbers are few. Our personal goal for our breeding program at Clossongrey Dandies is in alignment with the purpose of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Club of America, that is to propagate, promote and protect the Dandie”.
Miriam is the DDTCA Genetics Committee Chair and is the club liaison for the DDTCA Genetics Diversity Study. In addition, Miriam is a member of the Greater Clark County Kennel Club and the Terrier Association of Oregon. She has titled dogs in obedience, agility and rally and bred multiple Dandie conformation Champions, Grand Champions, Best in Specialty in multiple countries, International Champion, and Canadian champions. She also bred Lure Coursing titled and BISS Irish Wolfhounds. A past Delta Society Pet Partners instructor, she trained 3 Dandies, several Irish Wolfhounds and a Border Terrier named Elliot (2009 AKC ACE Award winner) to partner with her serving the community through therapy work.
Miriam is a retired Pediatric Oncology Case Manager. She and her husband of 36 years have 5 grandchildren.
Board Member – Pretari Hickson Sandra
In 1996 Sandra Pretari Hickson met her first Dandie, Ch. Montizard King’s Mtn. Kricket and while Sandra’s first love was the Akita breed, she quickly became intrigued with the Dandie. She says, “Dandies are, after all, big dogs on short legs!” Sandra says, ” I loved the Akitas as much as ever but there were lots of heartbreaks. It quickly became obvious that the real fun was in the Dandies.” In 2007 her last Akita passed away. ”He was the greatest of them all, a big guy named River, an irreplaceable dog.
Sandra is a DDTCA Board member and a board member of The American Chairitable Trust for Dandies (ACT), a rescue organization. In addition, she is Assistant Show Chairman of the Del Valle Dog Club of Livermore, Assistant Show Chairman of Skyline Dog Fanciers of San Mateo County, an Akita Club of America member, and an AKC approved judge.
Sandra is an Animal Services Specialist at the Palo Alto Animal Shelter, having worked there for 15+ years. In 2008 Sandra married devoted Dandie lover Barry Hickson; presently there are five Dandies residing with the Hicksons.
Board Member – Shelton Leah and James
Leah Shelton and her husband, Jim, have had Dandies since 1974. They share the kennel name of Derrydown with Leah’s sister and her husband, Karen and Larry Dorn.
Leah currently serves on the DDTCA Board of Governors as well as the Mid-American Regional Chair, and she is the Chair of the 2010 DDTCA National Specialty. In the past, Leah was the Properties Chair and the Chair of the DDTCA Nominating Committee. “I believe that participating in the national breed club is the best way I can demonstrate my commitment to the Dandie Dinmont Terrier”, Leah says.
“My introduction to the breed was at Heart of America Kennel Club Dog Show. Karen and I attended the groups and we saw Thom Covert showing Ch. Overhill Beau of Clandandie. Beau was owned by Helen Kirby’s Overhill Kennels. Not only did she introduce us to this wonderful breed, but she and Thom became our mentors as well as lifelong friends. Little did I know that the unique Dandie would eventually lead me to many new adventures, extraordinary people, and an opportunity to develop my own personal knowledge and skills”.
Board Member – Janette Shorrock
For John and me, owning a Dandie is a dream come true. We spent many hours researching just the right breed for us. When we decided upon a Dandie Dinmont, we turned to the AKC website. From there we discovered the DDTCA and the Breeder Referral Chair. We were provided with contact information for responsible breeders........the rest is history. Since I do not breed Dandies, I can enthusiastically and equitably help connect our DDTCA breeders, and potential Dandie owners. Rest assured that all enquiries will be met with a warm reception and meticulous follow-through.
(734) 854-3511
Board Member – Wolfskill Sandra
Involved with pure-bred dogs since 1971; in partnership with Donna Francis have bred Pembroke Welsh Corgis since early 1980's; won the PWCCA National Specialty in 2006 with Irish import co-owned with Alan Matthews of Craigycor. First Dandie Dinmont moved to Elfwish in 2004 from King's Mtn; Aust & Am CH Jollygaze Time Lord bred and handled by Emma Greenway competed at Crufts, winning BOB and Group 2-just as his grandfather had done two years earlier! Approved to judge the Herding group, 5 terriers, including Dandies, and Siberian Huskies; have judged in the UK, Ireland and Australia in addition to assignments in the US. Visitors always welcome by prior arrangement to meet the Elfwish Gang!
AKC Delegate – Dorn Karen
I got my first Dandie in 1971 from Helen Kirby of Overhill fame. She was a wonderful classy older lady who was very eager to mentor young people serious about the breed. We bought Overhill Bonnie Guinevere on monthly payments, since I was a starting teacher, but we also gained a lifelong mentor and friend as well. Helen introduced us to the dandies and the world of dog shows. She helped us over some initial disappointments and encouraged us to bred to others and learn from them as well. Since that time, I have been devoted to the breed, breeding over 40 champions, and a DDTCA member for over 35 years. During that time I have served as a board member for 2 years, treasurer for 10 years, vice president for 7 years and I am in my third year as AKC Delegate. It is a privilege to represent our club at all AKC meetings. It is a learning experience to see the whole national picture. I hope that I can convey what is going on at that level and how it affects us through my quarterly report in M & P. I have just retired from teaching public school music and hope to devote more time to my dogs and the DDTCA.