The Handyside Family | British Ironwork and Engineering

 

One of Selina's ancestors was Andrew Handyside (1805–1887), a prominent Scottish-born iron founder and engineer who helped shape Britain's industrial landscape.

In 1848, Andrew took over the Britannia Iron Works in Derby and built a company renowned for its craftsmanship and engineering expertise.

 

Andrew Handyside & Company manufactured an extraordinary variety of products, from decorative ironwork, gates and street furniture to railway equipment, bridges and major engineering structures.

Examples of Handyside engineering can still be found across Britain today.

 

At King's Cross in London, the Handyside Canopy was originally constructed in 1888 as part of the Great Northern Railway goods yard. Once used to shelter goods arriving in the capital, the beautifully restored structure now homes independent traders, markets, and craftspeople.

The Handyside name also features in Newcastle's history.

 

George Handyside commissioned the remarkable Handyside Arcade, completed in 1906, on Percy Street. With around 90 shops, an impressive iron-and-glass roof, and ornate cast-iron galleries, it became one of Newcastle's most distinctive shopping destinations. It remained part of the city until it was demolished in 1987.

 

For us, these buildings represent something important: the belief that thoughtful design, skilled artistry and quality materials can leave a lasting legacy.

 

The Dixon Family | Scottish Glassmaking

 

Another branch of Selina's family takes us to the banks of the River Leven in Dumbarton, Scotland.

Established in 1777, the Dumbarton Glassworks became one of Britain's most important glassmaking centres, producing exceptionally fine crown glass using traditional techniques.

 

Selina's ancestors, the Dixon family, later took ownership and developed an extraordinary manufacturing enterprise.

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At its height, the business operated coal works, tramways, wharves and even its own fleet of sailing vessels. Its glass travelled across Britain and overseas, earning Dumbarton an international reputation for quality.

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The glassworks eventually closed in 1850, but its history remains a remarkable example of Scottish manufacturing, craftsmanship and enterprise.

 

Scottish Tailoring | A Tradition That Continues

 

Selina's family heritage also extends into Scotland's long-established tailoring industry.

Unlike many traditional trades that have disappeared over time, this part of our family history continues in Edinburgh today, where the tailoring business still carries forward the principles of made-to-measure craftsmanship.

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Working with natural materials, taking pride in the smallest details and creating pieces intended to be worn and enjoyed for years are values that have remained consistent across generations.

These same principles would later become central to Kegdog.

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The Leatherworking Tradition | The Jarvis Family

 

On Chris's side, the connection to leatherwork is particularly close to what we do today.

 

Our family research traces leatherworking traditions back to the 1700s, when skilled tradespeople relied on their hands, simple tools, and an intimate understanding of natural materials.

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In the 1800s, Chris's great-grandfather opened a shoe shop in Coalville, Leicestershire, continuing the family's connection to the leather trade.

 

Historical records from across Leicestershire also reveal a rich tradition of leather craftsmanship, including bootmaking in Carlton and Leicester during the late 1800s, and boot and shoe manufacturing in Hinckley throughout the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Coalville itself was home to a thriving footwear trade by the early 1900s, reflecting the region's longstanding importance to British leatherworking.

 

Shoemaking was a skilled craft that required precision, patience and an understanding of how leather behaves. From cutting and shaping the material to stitching, finishing and repairing footwear, every stage demanded care and attention. The tools, materials and products may have changed, but many of the fundamental skills remain just as relevant today.

 

For Chris, working with leather is therefore more than a business. It continues a family connection to a traditional craft that stretches back hundreds of years.

 

THE BEGINNING OF KEGDOG (2018)

Where tradition meets modern design

 

Selina and Chris met while studying at university and discovered a shared appreciation for craftsmanship, design, and the history behind the things we use every day.

 

After finishing their studies, they decided to start their own business.

In 2018, Kegdog was born.

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Inspired by their families' histories, they wanted to create something that respected traditional British leatherworking techniques while bringing a fresh perspective to the industry.

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Their vision was simple: to make beautiful, practical leather dog collars and leads that would stand the test of time.

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Traditional leather accessories were often limited to a small selection of familiar colours and designs. Selina and Chris wanted to change that.

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By combining classic designs with a much wider choice of leather colours, finishes and styles, Kegdog would offer something different without losing the qualities that make traditional leatherwork special.

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Equally important was their commitment to keeping leathercraft alive in Britain.

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At a time when so many goods are mass-produced overseas, they wanted Kegdog to represent a different approach: an independent British business that embraces traditional skills, responsible practices, and quality craftsmanship.

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Not simply recreating the past, but finding a place for it in the modern world.

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KEGDOG TODAY

British craftsmanship, appreciated around the world

 

What began in 2018 has since grown into a British leather accessories business with customers in more than 50 countries.

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Over the years, we have had the privilege of making collars and leads for thousands of dogs worldwide.

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Our work has included creating collars for royalty's dogs, protection dogs working alongside important government officials, and police dogs. We have also been commissioned to produce leather accessories for television and film productions.

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These are opportunities we could never have imagined when we first established Kegdog, and we are incredibly proud of how far our small business has come. Yet despite reaching customers worldwide, the principles behind Kegdog remain unchanged.

 

We believe in good materials, considered design and the value of things made with care. We believe that British craftsmanship deserves a future, and that traditional skills should be preserved, practised and passed on to the next generation.

 

Most importantly, we believe that the everyday things we make should be beautiful, practical and made to last.

 

Our families have been making things for generations. Kegdog is our contribution to that history.

 

Selina & Chris

Founders of Kegdog