This web site celebrates the Risdene Border Terriers, Sussex and English Springer Spaniels and not to mention some delightful Pugs and the very special Basset Fauve de Bretagne which have joined the family over the years.

How It All Began

The Risdene kennel was started by Pat and Sally Leslie back in the 1970’s with a monstrously naughty ESS.  She made mischief an art form and passed the trait to every succeeding generation!  

The Next Chapter

After Sally became interested in Border Terriers she met John Bainbridge, already a successful partner in the Ragsdale Kennel, married him and the rest as they say is history!

...not too bad for a very small kennel!

Champions in three breeds have carried the Risdene affix over the years – not too bad for a very small kennel!  On the Champions pages you will find dogs which between us we have piloted to their titles or as Risdenes have given us just as much pleasure as we have watched them gain that honour for their owners.

....to give something back

We try to give something back to the world of dogs in return for the fun and pleasure it gives to us.  We have served on various breed and general Committees over the years and of course we all continue to do so.  Sally and John

A love affair with Sussex Spaniels followed after a Springer booked from the Shipden Kennel was orphaned and brought up by a Sussex with her own litter.  

are members of the Kennel Club and Sally, when asked, has given breed specific seminars on Sussex Spaniels and other talks on diverse subjects for breed and general canine societies. Her latest talk is a successful and enjoyable workshop on critique writing for judges of all breeds.

full of fun and..............carefully balanced to create a lasting impression!!!!

But most of all we like dogs and we like living with dogs.  

We know we are very fortunate.  It’s a great hobby to show and work excellent dogs, and needless to say all the Risdenes are very carefully chosen and bred to ensure they have the correct conformation and temperament to do the jobs they were meant to do.  But we can’t deny it - above all Risdenes are loving, full of fun and easy to live with.   We think you will find that each one is carefully balanced to create a lasting impression!!!!

What else can we tell you?  We also love horse racing and John is a keen member of the Elite Racing Club which is great fun and we try to go racing at our nearest racecourse, Huntingdon, as often as work and other commitments permit.  Sally is happy, camera in hand, trying to learn to take better photographs.