A British Transport Policewoman the Halliwell household became home to a succession of strays and/or mongrel dogs found during my work.

My first show standard pedigree dog was a Golden Retriever, Gladwag Flintlock (Chester). Chester was a son of Ch. Camrose Cabus Christopher, (the most influential Golden Retriever of modern times with 41 CC's to his name and countless champion offspring). Chester joined the Halliwell's in 1976

The Dengold prefix was first registered with the Kennel Club in 1978.

I served on comittees for Lancaster Canine Society and Border Gundogs and was Secretary/Treasurer of Morecambe and Heysham Canine Association for many years. A founding member of the North West Golden Retriever Club, I served in successive roles as Treasurer, Vice President and President until my ill health forced retirement from active duties.

An up and coming Gundog Judge until my illness, I served my time stewarding at many of the Championship Shows. I also ran weekly ringcraft classes in Morecambe.

Following diagnosis of Polycystic Kidneys in the late 1980's, which meant regular Renal Dialysis, I decided that unfortunately Golden Retrievers were simply too large a breed both physically and numerically. However not wanting to give up exhibiting altogether the search began for a smaller breed to move too.

A number of breeds were shortlisted until only 2 remained the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen (PBGV).
Having more experience of the Dandie Dinmont (A family friend had 2), the Dandie Dinmont became the breed of choice. The search was on!!!!!

Eventually after ringing around the country searching for a puppy (no change there then!!!!),A "small brown dog!!!!" Hendell Fable of Dengold (Mabel) came to live at the Dengolds in Spring 1990 and so the adventure began!!!!

Unable to serve as an active comittee member on any of the 3 Dandie Clubs, I enjoy contributing by serving as the Puppy Co-ordinator for the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Club (DDTC)

Whilst Mum served as Secretary/Treasurer of Morecambe and Heysham Canine Association. I was often found as "unofficial" Assistant Secretary alongside my brother and my Dad, checking entry forms, helping in the Kitchen or even making rosettes. If I had known child labour was illegal!!!!

I enjoyed Junior Handling as a child but never really progressed to the adult ring until we became involved with Dandie Dinmont Terriers.

I fell in love with Mabel (Hendell Fable of Dengold) who came to live at the Dengolds in Spring 1990 and became the very proud owner of my own Dandie Hendell Able Albert (Bertie) the following July

Bertie was regularly exhibited up until 1994, when maternal duties of my own (birth of my son Sam followed 22 months later by his sister Emma) curtailed my jaunts and unfortunately I haven't had a Dandie in my own name since.

However I have regularly shown the Dengolds for Mum and have had Midwifery Duties at all of the Dengold Litters (including one where I had to deliver a pup on the back seat of the car on the way home from the vets in the dark!!!!!!)

I have served on Morecambe and Heysham Canine Association Commitee as well as the Caledonian Dandie Dinmont Terrier Club committee, designing the original computer program for the Calendonian Computer Pedigrees. Currently I have been co-opted onto the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Club Committee and hopefully the members will see fit to return me as a full time committee member at the AGM in April.

I have stewarded at the CDDTC and DDTC championship shows and hold the Kennel Club Stewards Certificate.

I am hoping to be back in the ring within the next 18 months with my own dandie but in the meantime will be still showing the Dengolds whenever my work and maternal (sorry that should say chauffering) duties allow.

I also am responsible for the Dengold Web Site, so if you don't like the look and feel of the site, it's my fault SORRY!!!!!