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1996 American Whippet Club Whippet Annual

Pages 76 through 100

Conformation: AKC Group 2, Group 4 CKC Group 1, (3), Group 2 (2)

Obedience: AKC Novice: 3rd, 4th,
Highest Scoring Ch.'94 Nat'l.
CKC Novice: 1st & HIT, 3rd (2)
AKC Open: 1st, 4th
2 legs C.D.X.

Companion & Pet: The Best

Our newest adventure: Agility (OrbIs favorite)

Thank you, Renee, for a wonderful whippet!

Breeder: Richard & Renee Clayton

Owners: Kelly & Kathryn Hawkins, DVMs
P.O. Box 708
Valdez, Alaska 99686
907/835-5704

“SCOOP” held his own in the Top Ten, finishing 1996 with consistent wins and placements in the Hound Group. Not bad for a breeder/owner-handled youngster who turned two in December, 1996! Thanks to everyone who helped us make it so! In 1997, we will be working on a Dual Championship!

Even with 34 years breeding experience in this breed, I have always been proudest of Angel. I consider her ideal.

Her heritage was from the old Hound-Hill, Pennyworth, and Stoney Meadows lines.
Her progeny made significant contributions to both coursing strains and winners in the conformation ring.

She was a lifelong companion of one of the most prominent Afghan Hound breeders in the country,
and she was adored by all who knew her. I couldn’t ask for more.

James R. Gray, M.D.
Elysian

(Elysian Like the Night, LCM VII ex Cherché Touch and Go)

“Jacob” won another Specialty Best in Show this year, the prestigious— American Whippet Club Eastern Regional Specialty —
Judge Mr. Douglas Arthur

Jacob’s first get contain a Specialty Best in Sweepstakes and a 4-point Best of Breed winner.

Bred by Glenda Durance and James R. Gray, M.D., beautifully presented by Chris Durance Hatcher,
and owned by Susan Burgess, Glenda Durance, and James R. Gray.

Elysian
RO. Box 1332, Winder, Georgia 30680
770-867-2978

Perry wasn’t shown in 1996.
He did, however, earn his ROM title, with Champion offspring #15, # 16 & # 17.

Bred by Frances Hembree and owned by James R, Gray, M.D. and Chris Durance-Hatcher.
Shown by Jan Swayze.

Elysian

P0. Box 1332
Winder, Georgia 30680
770-867-2978

— Specialty Best In Show —
Metropolitan Atlanta Whippet Association
Third Specialty Show
October II, 1996
Judge: Dr. Robert Indeglia
Persuaded to leave her couch to assist Grahm Pence in her Junior handling class, she also agreed to an appearance in the Veterans class at 9 1/2 years of age. Once in the ring, the incredible showmanship and radiant charisma she was once known for seemed to reappear, and the years melted away. She was awarded Best in Specialty Show over BIS and SBIS competition.

Her pleasure from being in the ring again is reflected in her photograph, which compares well to the many we have of her Breed wins and Hound Group wins of five or six years ago. We were stunned by her performance and we are extremely proud of her.

She was bred by Frances F Hembree and owned by Elysian, Longlesson, and TN Woods and beautifully presented, as always, by “Mom”.

Elysian

(Elysian One Man Show x Ch. Elysian A-Few April Showers, FCh) CERF Normal

Chase congratulates his mama, April, on her very special win at the MAWA Specialty.
He has recovered better than anyone could have hoped from his broken hock.
He has been lure coursing again, and we are working on obedience, in hopes of a CDX.
Look for the youngsters from his first litter, out of Devonair’s Peggy-Sue Phreckles —
Wisteria Pompeii Xpress to TnT, Wisteria Niagara Nights and Wisteria Honeymoon at Dassin
— we’re very happy with them.

Pompeii

Karen J. Rockwell
9163 Milford Drive, Northfield, Ohio 44067 - (216) 468-2737

(Ch. Delacreme de la Renta x Oh. Bohem Of Thee I Sing)

Shown going Best in Show all breeds at her first show in Australia, owner-handled by Lee Pieterse,
under international judge Robert L. Curtis. “Libby” finished her Australian title with
4 Groups,2 BIS and 1 Reserve BIS from the classes.
She is the 9th Bohem BIS/SBIS winner (5 in the U.S.,4 foreign) in the 1990s.

We moved house in July, so the dogs have a bit more space, but the “kennel”
is as small as ever: only 13 1/2 year old SBIS Ch. Whippoorwill Bohem Aria,
BIS Ch. Bohem Of Thee I Sing, and 6-month old Bohem All About Eve.

For responses to the Breeder Questionnaire sent out to every Whippet owned, co-owned, bred or co-bred
by Bohem in the U.S., see Sightnound Review, Nov-Dec 1996 issue, pp. 118-1 19.

Bo Bengtson P0. Box 30430, Santa Barbara,CA 93130 U.S.A. New street address. 1311 Holiday Hill Road Goleta, CA 93117 New fax: 805-967-2984

(Ch. Starline’s Reign On. ROMX x Ch. Bohem Of Thee Sing)

Along with the addition of this dynamic duo to our household, a highlight of this year was winning several points and RWB at the AWC Western Specialty under Mrs. Peggy Newcombe, with their 2-year old half sister Bohem Emmy Award. 1997 will be an exciting year, as we debut this special pair.

Flash. Winona goes WB & BOW at her first show at 6 months & 3 days!

(Ch. Delacreme de la Renta x Ch. Bohem Of Thee I Sing)

Holly finished in 1996, shown by Phoebe Booth, with her fourth major
and a BOB over specials from the classes.
She has been bred to Ch. Chelsea Bulgari, with the litter due in early May
Inquiries Invited.

Owners
KONZA
Jim and Cathy Gaidos
10177 Blue River Road. Manhattan, KS 66502 913-485-2850

Breeder Bo Bengtson

start here with img213 (page 91)

April 15 through 21, 1996 was an historic week for the Whippet breed. The first International Whippet Congress, as well as other unique events, were held in conjunction with the American Whippet Club's 10th National Specialty in Burlington , Vermont . "It is unbelievable to anyone that has been around the breed for years that this Congress could happen, it brings people together from all stations and all places" remarked Bo Bengtson, USA. "It was a bigger success than we ever dreamed. We are especially gratified by the number of people attending from foreign countries" commented AWC President, Delegate and Congress Chair Cathy Gaidos, Manhattan, Kansas. Sixteen foreign countries were represented, including Russia , Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina , Brazil and numerous European countries.

Gathering Whippet fanciers together from all over the world to discuss breed issues was a long standing dream of Bo Bengtson, SIGHTHOUND REVIEW Publisher and Editor, Santa Barbara, California. Bo, together with Cathy Gaidos, decided the AWC 10th National Specialty in Vermont would be the perfect event to hold an International Congress with. Bo and Cathy were familiar with the Borzoi and Afghan world gatherings. Taking the best ideas from those events and adding a few others, plans were formulated for an event that would open up communications between individuals and countries in the Whippet world that would otherwise have not been possible.

Congress registration and sign-in began Sunday afternoon with each participant receiving a 3-ring binder for keeping notes and copies of each speaker's presentation. Name badges were given to everyone which was a big help, as there were so many new and unfamiliar faces. Sunday evening got off to a great start with a gala cocktail reception. A special treat not only for the foreign visitors, but everyone else as well was the introduction of past National Specialty Best of Breed winners. The walls of the reception room were covered with large poster boards displaying pictures many of the influential Whippets in the history of the Breed affording breeders the opportunity to see many of the all-time greats.

The actual one-day Congress was conducted on Monday, April 15, 1996. Congress Moderator was Paul Lepiane, from SIGHTHOUND REVIEW, Santa Barbara, California. The keynote speaker was former AKC President Judith Daniels, USA. Bo Bengtson followed with "A Century of Whippet History." He gave a slide presentation with commentary showing the Whippets that were the Breed's foundation in England and the U.S., as well as more recent noteworthy animals. The audience saw the Breeds first champions and ancestors of many of today's Whippets. It was truly a walk through Whippet history. "I am very excited to be a part of the Congress and am thrilled with Bo's pictorial about the history of the Breed. I think Bo is the leading breed historian" stated Roger Stock, England .

Lorraine Groshans, well known Borzoi and Whippet breeder from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, moderated a fascinating hour of reports from 13 different country representatives covering a range information, such as Whippet statistics, activities and other informative subjects. Of note was how much more popular racing events are than show events in many European countries. Finland, France and Sweden have dual titles for versatile Whippets who compete in showing and racing. In 1995, 87 Whippets were registered in Brazil. 241 in Canada, 116 in New Zealand, 90 in South Africa and 188 in Sweden. In Germany, some of today's Whippets go back to early, oversize Italian Greyhounds registered as Whippets. Irish Wolfhounds are far more popular in Germany than Whippets. Saulo Biscoto, Brazil , expressed the feelings of many when he said "This is a tremendous learning experience combined with fun times. The fact that there are so many people from around the world makes this so fantastic."

Many other topics were covered at the Congress by international panels. Integrity of Whippet Pedigrees saw Charles Billings, Columbus, Ohio, head of the AWC committee that examined a longhaired breeding experiment, speak on the matter. He showed slides of the dogs he saw in 1982. Charles Billings and his AWC committee could find no evidence that a long- coat gene ever existed in Whippets and concluded that, regardless of how these animals arose, they were substantially different in so many respects, of which coat was only one, from all other Whippets that they should be considered as an entirely separate, emerging breed. After receiving the AWC Committee conclusions and documentation. the AKC conducted an independent investigation, which led to the decision to delete a large number of animals and litters from the AKC stud book and registry. The longhairs continue to be advertised in major dog magazines, being promoted by their breeders, and being written about in a recent book. The AWC constantly receives inquiries on the validity of the term, "longhaired", regard ing the Whippet. It is important that those new to the Breed be made aware of the background of these animals as previously docu mented by the AWC and AKC.

IWC ORGANIZERS: left to right, standing: Betty Stites & Bo Bengtson; seated: Cathy Gaidos, Loraine Groshans, Dale Healy and Phoebe Booth.

Jane Strunin, a Whippet and Greyhound breeder from England, addressed the crossbred issue. In England dog racing is very popular. Whippets are regularly crossed with Greyhound and other breeds to produce a lightning fast racing dog. Crossbreds are sig nificantly faster than their purebred pedigree relatives. In England crossbred racing is well organized and run by a separate organization than the one that governs the purebred pedigree Whippets. There is always the risk that the much faster crossbred may be slipped into the pedigree competition, either inadvertently or in tentionally. Such was a case in England which had a profound impact on racing in this country. After a de tailed investigation in the early 1980's, the English pedigree Whippet racing association banned for life sev eral dogs because of questionable ancestry. Although a dossier of evidence was provided to prove that the dogs involved could not possibly be bred as stated on their papers, The English Kennel Club felt unable to act on the information. Subsequently, these banned dogs were imported to North American with registra tion documents acceptable to the CKC and AKC. They had successful racing careers in the US and Canada, and now appear in the background of many of today's racers. Several other incidents took place in the USA after the importation of the banned English dogs in which there was serious doubt of pedigree validity. One such incident resulted in the banning of an indi vidual and his dogs for life by a west coast Whippet racing association. These controversies have plagued the AWC since the early 1980's. It was one of the main reasons the AWC temporarily suspended its racing program in 1990 and have now discontinued it, effec tive April 1996, with no plan to restart.

Mrs. Strunin explained how people should be alert for a sudden increase in speed in the breed. Quoting Mrs. Strunin "The fact that your times in the USA have suddenly got faster over a relatively short time scale should have alerted you to an anomalous situation." Of great significance and concern are her statements "When one realizes that in order to keep the speed in these crossbred dogs, frequent out crosses to greyhounds or other crossbred lines are needed to preserve hybrid vigor. These are not just one off breeding which will be genetically absorbed after a few generations of pure breeding, it is an ongoing program, particularly when human nature and the desire to keep on winning enter the equation." She went on to say "The whole sorry business is compounded by the innocent and not so innocent owners/breeders who are involved by having bought or bred into such lines. It is in their interests to either ignore everything as long as they continue to win or the more insidious element who are in positions of authority and who, by refusing to grasp the nettle, confer their tacit approval." At the very same time this Congress was being conducted, Mrs. Strunin informed the audience that an individual was in En­gland with the purpose of purchasing two Whippets and importing them to the USA — one a pedigree Whippet for breeding purposes and the other a cross bred Whippet. We can only speculate on the motives.

Neither Connie Austin or Connie Brunkow of the American Whippet Club Health Committee were able to attend the Congress. In their absence, Mary Beth Arthur, longtime Whippet breeder from Milwaukee, Wisconsin read a report from both Dr. Austin and Dr. Brunkow. Dr. Austin's report discussed her survey of the veterinary medical database program for Whippets. It was interesting to note the medical conditions for which Whippets were at higher risk for, based on the findings. Such things as lacerations, forelimb fractures, forelimb joint trauma, muscle and tendon trauma, low platelets were some conditions of note. Dr. Brunkow' s report dealt with 1995 CERF (Canine Eye Registration Foundation) statistics, which showed a slight improvement in the percent of problems detected. Nenne Runsten , Sweden , read the results of a health survey of Swedish Whippet breeders done in 1990 and repeated in 1995. Differences in results were not significant from 1990 to 1995. The 1990 results were based on 48 breeder responses, covering 2439 dogs. The 1995 results were tallied from 43 breeder responses and 1617 dogs. The questionnaire covered the incidence of undescended testicles, heart and autoimmune disease, re productive problems. The Swedish survey will be re­peated 'in the year 2000.

A session was devoted to the multi­purpose Whippet moderated by Mary Beth Arthur. Panel ists included Shirley Rawlings, England, who spoke on open field coursing in England , Linda Buchholz, Canada, covered lure coursing in Canada and Jean Balint, Fairfield, California, who spoke on race training.

Phoebe Booth, well known professional handler and Whippet breeder from Redding Center, Connecticut, chaired a panel on incorporating foreign bloodlines, which included Barbara Henderson, Laurel, Maryland, Max Magder,. Canada, Peggy Newcombe, New Port Richey, Florida, and Nenne Runsten. Bo Bengtson moderated a discussion of Whippet standards from different countries. Panelists included Magnus Hagsted , Sweden, Jesse McLeod, U.K., Pat Miller, Canada, Frank Pieterse, Australia, Piero Renai della Rena, Italy, Betty Stites, Arlington, Texas and Isabell Stoffers, Alta Loma, California. Mari-Beth O'Neill from the A.K.C. presented the last session coy ering American show procedures and foreign judges approval.

After the formal presentations concluded, it was dinner time. A tired yet stimulated audience took time to eat then returned to attend a Breeders Fair. Whippet breeders were able to have an individual table and present scrapbooks, photos, pedigrees and handouts to share with others. A number of foreign breeders had tables, including the English Whippet Club.

Wednesday evening a Special Event Fun Match was held. The international judging panel included Jackie Bourdin ( France), Noiene Rule-Steele (Australia), Phil Moran-Healy (England) and Calvin Perry, successful Whippet breeder from Bristol, Tennessee. When the week's activities were planned no one ever imagined the internationally judged fun match would be so popular, with exhibitors entering 205 Whippets! Judging commenced at 7:30pm and concluded at 2:40am! Best in Match was the seven and one-half year old veteran bitch, Ch. Hamrya's Teachers Pet owned by Donna Lynch. "Many of the foreigners wanted to participate and were able to borrow someone’s Whippet to show in the match and specialty" noted Cathy Gaidos. Even though the match went late, everyone had a great time. Pamela Renaidella Rena, Italy. said "Incredible! I haven't had so much fun in years. I particularly admired your Whippets incredible temperaments, very lovable. The Congress was more than wonderful." One interesting note, English Whippet breeder, Roger Stock, offered to show a Whippet and was given Paris Beatrix of Tiber owned by Sharon Sakson to handle. Roger and his new charge worked beautifully together as a team, and ended up going Reserve Winners Bitch at the National Specialty!

The International Whippet Congress provided a rare opportunity for breeders and fanciers of different nations to learn from one another, appreciate the dif­ ferences within the breed, as well as have a wonderful time. Dennis Mayger, Secretary of the English Whippet Club said "My main impression is how friendly the American People are." Rachell Flatt, Chairman of the Whippet Breed Council, England, commented "Extremely interesting, very informative and a new expe­ rience for us in that we have not before been able to hear people from so many countries. From seeing American Whippets in photos, we expected them to be big, however the size here is acceptable for our English showing scene. Some of the bitches are fit to die for." "We were all very excited to be part of the Congress and I think to see so many dogs has overwhelmed us. We got an awful lot from it" said Roger Stock. Magnus Hagstedt spoke for many of us when he said "One thing striking here in Burlington, Vermont, is you meet so many friends, and see familiar faces from all over the world. It is the love and interest in the breed that brings us together." There were many accolades from those in attendance and the one word which best sums it ail up is SUCCESS. Mrs. Dale Healy, Show Chair from Jericho, Vermont, together with her Show Committee and World Congress Committee put on a flawless week of activities. International friendships were formed and all who attended will never forget this wonderful week in Vermont.

International Whippet Congress Foreign Visitors

The Second World Whippet Congress is tentatively scheduled for 1999 in England, in conjunction with The English Whippet Club Centennial celebration. We are all looking forward to it.

Following are scanned versions of the handouts each speaker made available to those attending the Congress. I have done my best to proofread them for accuracy. I apologize for anything that may have slipped through. We are indeed fortunate to be able to read much of the material each speaker presented at this historic event. We thank the speakers for putting their presentations down on paper for everyone's benefit. - MBA

AGENDA

MONDAY, APRIL 15, 1996

6-8 am BREAKFAST - SPONSORED BY THE NATIONAL WHIPPET CLUB OF CANADA - HOSPITALITY SUITE

8:00 am WHIPPET CONGRESS CONVENES -EMERALD BALLROOM - INTRODUCTION BY BO BENGTSON - WELCOME BY CATHY GAIDOS, AWC PRESIDENT -CONGRESS MODERATOR, PAUL LEPIANE

8:15 am KEYNOTE SPEAKER - FORMER AKC PRESIDENT, JUDITH DANIELS

8:30 am A CENTURY OF WHIPPETS, SLIDES FROM THE COLLECTIONS OF ESPEN ENGH AND BO BENGTSON

9:30 am BREAK

9:45 am NATIONAL REPORTS - MODERATOR, LORRAINE GROSHANS

10:45 am INTEGRITY OF WHIPPET PEDIGREES -DR. CHARLES BILLINGS AND JANE STRUNIN

11:30 am LUNCHEON BUFFET

12:30 pm HEALTH REPORTS - PRESENTED BY MARY BETH ARTHUR AND NENNE RUNSTEN

1:00 pm A LOOK AT THE BREED STANDARDS -MODERATOR, BO BENGTSON

3:00 pm BREAK

3:15 pm THE MULTI-PURPOSE WHIPPET -MODERATOR, MARY BETH ARTHUR

4:15 pm INCORPORATING FOREIGN BLOODLINES - MODERATOR, PHOEBE BOOTH

5:15 pm AKC SHOW PROCEDURES AND JUDGING APPROVAL - PRESENTED BY MARI-BETH O'NEILL, AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB

6:00 pm END OF FORMAL PRESENTATIONS

8:00 pm BREEDERS' FAIR - CO-ORDINATOR, PATRICK PETTIT

TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 1996

3:30 pm HOW TO PRESENT A SHOW WHIPPET - MODERATOR - JOAN FRAILEY - COORDINATOR - PATRICK PETTIT

A CENTURY OF WHIPPETS

SLIDES FROM THE COLLECTIONS OF ESPEN ENGH —NORWAY AND BO BENGTSON —U.S.A.

Presentation by Bo Bengtson

A CENTURY OF ENGLISH AND AMERICAN WHIPPETS

1. Ch. Zuber, first-ever Whippet champion, UK 1889

Ch. Zuber

2. Ch. Enterprise, by Zuber, UK 1893

3. Ch. Bay View Pride, first U.S. Whippet champion, 1904

4. Ch. Shirley Wanderer, by Enterprise, UK 1902

Ch. Shirley Wanderer

5. Ch. Manorley Model, first champion whippet bitch, UK (Crufts 1898)

6. Ch. Manorley Maori, by Wanderer, champion UK 1904

7. Ch. Shirley Siren, first particular champion bitch, UK 1906

8. Ch. Kemmel, b. 1914, first bitch champion after WWI (UK 1920)

9. Ch. Olav & Ch. All's Well (granddaughter of Kemmel), UK 1920s

10. Ch. Watford Brilliant (grandson of Kemmel, nine lines to Wanderer), b. UK 1922

11. Ch. Rustic Rocket, UK late 1920s

12. Ch. Fay, registered with 'unknown" grandparents, UK late 1920s

13. Ch. Yentoc's Sapphira, b, UK 1930

14. Ch. Zanza Zanita, b. UK 1931

15. Ch. Willesblair, b. UK 1933, last champion before WWII 1939

Ch. Willesblair

16. Ch. Arroyo Strathcona Girl, US 1924

17. Ch. Arroyo Miss Melody, US 1920s

18. Ch. Corsian Silhouette, US 1930s

19. Ch. Sandbrilliant of Meander, imp. UK to US 1930

20. Ch. Mica of Meander, b. US 1933

21. Meander champions, 1930s: Sandbrilliant & Syndicate with offspring

22. Ch. Meander Bob-White, 1950s

23. Ch. Great Circle Little Alice (by Meander Pilot)

24. Ch. Stoney Meadows Masquerade, Mica's grandson, with Mrs. Wear, US 1951

25. Ch. Stoney Meadows Snow Queen 1. b. US 1956

Ch. Stoney Meadows Snow Queen

26. Ch. Stoney Meadows Royal Fortune, Snow Queen's son, b. US 1964

27 . Ch. Sheridan Marial's Nikita (multiple lines to Stoney Meadows), b. US 1975

28. Ch. Samema Dainty Princess, UK 1940s

29. Ch. White Statue of Conevan, b. UK 1944

30. Ch, White Statue of Conevan with Lady Danckwerts

31. Tiptree sires: Monk, Noel & Jink, UK 1930s

32. Tiptree head study

33. Ch. Tiptree Noel, imp. UK to US, late 1930s

34. Ch. Flornell Glamorous, his litter sister, all-time top winning bitch in U.S.

35. Sapperly Tiptree Pilot, b. UK 1942

36. Ch. Wingedfoot Marksman of Allways (grandson of Pilot), b. UK 1950

37. Eng.Am.Ch. Wingedoof Fieldspring Bryony, imp. UK to US 1950s

38. Ch. Wingedfoot Hildegarde, UK 1950s, exp. S. Africa

39. Ch. Wingedfoot Claire de Lune, UK late 1950s/ 1960s, exp. Holland

40. Ch. Sequence of Shalfleet, UK early 1970s

41. Ch. Harque The Lark, UK late 1960s-early 1970s

42. Ch. Seagift Sophia, UK 1950s

43. Ch. Pennyworth Blue Iris, US early 1950s

44. Ch. Dragonhill Tweseldown Merdeka, UK 1960s

45. Ch. Nimrodel Ruff, UK 1980s

46. Ch. Laguna Lucky Lad, imp. UK to US, late 1950s

47. Ch. Fleeting Falcon, imp. UK to US 1950s

48. Ch. Bellavista Barry (Ligonier's sire, by Prune), b. UK 1953

49. Ch. Ringmore Finisterre (by Barry), imp. UK to US 1960s

50. Eng.Am.Ch. Courtenay Fleetfoot of Pennyworth (by Barry), b. 1960, imp. UK to US

Ch. Courtenay Fleetfoot of Pennyworth

51. Ch. Pennyworth Mother Goose (by Fleetfoot), US 1960s

52. Ch. Greenbrae Laguna Lucia, UK 1960s

53. Ch. Samarkand's Greenbrae Tarragon (Lucia's son), UK 1960s

54. Ch. Dondelayo Roulette (inbred on Tarragon), b. UK 1967

55. Ch. Dondelayo Duette (by Tarragon x Roulette), Res. BIS Crufts 1972

56. Ch. Dondelayo Ruanne of Charmoll (Roulette's sister)

57. Ch. Charmoll Mactavish (Ruanne's son), UK 1970s

58. Eng.Am.Ch. Charmoll Clansman (Mactavish's brother), imp. UK to US 1970s

59. Ch. Sporting Fields Clansman (by Charmoll Clansman), all-time top US Whippet

60. Ch. Whitbarrow Parsley (half sister to Charmoll Clansman), b. 1971 imp.

Ch. Laguna Ligonier

61. Ch. Akeferry Jimmy (grandson of Tarragon), top UK sire 1970s

62. Ch. Lily of Laguna (granddaughter of White Statue), UK 1950s

63. Ch. Laguna Ligonier (Lily's son), UK 1960s

64. Ch. Deepridge Mintmaster (by Ligonier), b. UK 1966

65. Ch. Alpine Ski Bum (grandson of Ligonier), top Whippet US 1972-73

Ch. Alpine Ski Bum

66. Ch. Coveydown Greenbrae Wayfarer (by Ligonier), imp. UK to Canada, 1960s

67. Ch. Winterfold's Bold Bid (by Wayfarer), b, Canada 1967, with Bob Forsyth

68. Ch. Gold-Dust's Twenty-Four Karat (granddaughter of Bold Bid), US 1977s

69. Ch. Greenbrae Barn Dance (by Ligonier), imp. UK to US, 1960s

70. Ch. Greenbrae Barn Dance with his son Ch. Morshor's Whirlaway

71. Ch. Hill's Harvest Moon Dance (by Barn Dance, dam of Whirlaway)

72. Ch. Hill's Harvest Moon Dance

73. Ch. Misty Moor's Chalmondoley (son of Moon Dance), b. 1971, all-time top U.S. sire

74. Ch. Misty Moor's Divine Pleasure (gr.dtr of Chalmondoley), all-time top U.S. dam

75. Ch. Plumcreek Walk On Water (gr.son of Chalmondoley), b. US 1980

76. Ch. Morshor's Majestic Dell (by Walk On Water) at 1st AWC National, 1987

77. Ch. Runner's Creme de la Creme (by Chalmondoley), US 1970s

78. Ch. Runner's Creme de la Creme (by Chalmondoley), US 1970s

79. Ch. Delacreme de la Renta (Creme de la Creme's son), top U.S. sire 1980s

Ch. Misty Moor's Chalmondoley

NATIONAL REPORTS

MODERATOR— LORRAINE GROSHANS PARTICIPANTS

EDITHA NEWTON— U.K.

SAULO BISCOTO— BRAZIL

NENNE RUNSTEN— SWEDEN

NOREEN HARRIS— AUSTRALIA

SIRPA JARVINEN— FINLAND

PRISCILLA EDBROOKE— NEW ZEALAND

THOMAS MUNCH—GERMANY

DAVID MARKUS—CANADA

PAMELA RENAI della RENA—ITALY

BETTY STITES— U.S.A.

JACKIE BOURDIN— FRANCE

JEAN-PASCAL BOTELLA— SOUTH AFRICA

VADIM REZTSOV— RUSSIA

Betty Stites

WHIPPET STATISTICS - USA

FIRST WHIPPET REGISTERED by the American Kennel Club was in 1888, three years before the breed was recognized by The Kennel Club in England. Interestingly his name was Jack Dempsey, however since he was born in 1885, he couldn't have been named for the boxer. There was little whippet activity in this country until after WW 1. NATIONAL REGISTRY BODY is the American Kennel Club, 51 Madison Ave., NY, NY 10010, established in 1884.

WHIPPETS REGISTERED:

Of all the breeds recognized by the AKC, whippets ranked as follows:

THE NATIONAL WHIPPET CLUB is the American Whippet Club, (AWC) whose first available records on activities seem to start in 1930. For many years the AWC held three National Regional Specialties: East, Mid West, and West Coast. Ten years ago the AWC held its first truly NATIONAL Specialty, in addition to the three regionals which are still held yearly in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and California.

THE NATIONAL SPECIALTY moves to a different area of the country each year.

The first was held in 1987 in Columbus, Ohio: entry - 340 dogs; 1993 - Dallas: 523 dogs; 1994 - Seattle: 379 dogs; 1995 - Minneapolis: 413 dogs; and this year 457 dogs.

REGIONAL SPECIALTY GIVING WHIPPET CLUBS are relatively new, and are:

• The Northern California Whippet Fanciers
• Southern California Whippet Association
• Western Washington Whippet Association ( Seattle area)
• Metropolitan Atlanta Whippet Association
• Greater San Diego Whippet Association will give its first show in May of '96
• Greater Chicago Whippet Club will give its first Specialty July 7, 1996
• The Minneapolis/St. Paul area club is not yet approved to give Specialty shows.

ALL BREED SHOWS: The AKC approved 1224 all-breed shows in 1994. These ranged from a high entry of 4378 dogs in Louisville, our largest entry show, to the smallest show with an entry of 230 in Hilo, Hawaii (a quarantine state.) All AKC shows are championship shows. We also have a very informal sometimes word of mouth, system of matches, which are just for fun and practice, and are not championship events.

U.S. CHAMPIONSHIPS are made up on a point system To become a champion, a dog must win 15 points, including two "majors" awarded under two different judges. A dog may win from one to five points at a show depending on the size of the Whippet entry. There must be competition for any points to be awarded. A major entry is an entry large enough to qualify for three to five points. A dog must go "Winners Dog" or "Winners Bitch" to win the points. Point scales are figured not only for each sex, but by regions of the country. They are reevaluated by the AKC yearly, changing up or down, and are effective in May. For example, this show is being held in the AKC's Division 1: Comprised of Connecticut, Maine , Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and VERMONT. For a major entry in this division, one must go winners in an entry of 9 or more dogs, or 13 or more bitches. In the State of California, which has a division all to itself there would have to be 13 or more Whippet dogs, and/or 16 or more Whippet bitches for a major. Champions are shown in a separate class usually referred to as Specials or Best of Breed, though legally they may be shown in the Open Class. Should a non-champion dog go Best of Breed over champions, the number of champions of his/ her sex defeated are added to the number of class dogs/bitches defeated and may mean more points. The point schedule is based on the number of any given breed shown in each divi­sion during previous years.

OTHER AWC SPONSORED WHIPPET ACTIVITIES have included National Point Races since 1966. These are flat track, straight away races leading to the Award of Racing Merit (ARM) title. As of February 1996 there were 34 National Point Races (NPR) held through­out the country. The ARM award is also based on 15 points, with a varying number of points offered to race winners depending on the size of the entry. The AWC is a member of ASFA (American Sighthound Field Association) and sponsors both ASFA and AKC Lure Courses. Other independent whippet groups offer oval track racing, flat track racing and open field coursing, though the AWC does not sponsor these events.

AMERICAN WHIPPET CLUB PUBLICATIONS include The Whippet News, a monthly newsletter sent to all AWC members and anyone else who would like to subscribe, and the Whippet News Annual, published each year and available from the editor.

The Whippet News - Editor, Christine Hopperstad, 130 34th Ave. , East Seattle, WA 98112 (206) 322-5872

The Whippet News Annual - Editor, Wendy Clark, 5088 Breckenhurst, Hilliard, OH 43026 (614) 777-0124

SECRETARY OF THE AWC currently is Harriett Nash Lee, 14 Oak Circle, Charlottesville, VA 22901 (804) 295-4525

PRESENTATIONS BY

DR. CHARLES BILLINGS— U.S.A. and JANE STRUNIN— U.K.

SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT "LONG-HAIRED" WHIPPETS

Charles E. Billings, Flyalong Whippets

In 1982, I was asked to lead an American Whippet Club committee in an examination of a breeding experiment being conducted by Walter Wheeler. Mr. Wheeler claimed that he had been able to produce long-haired Whippets by selective inbreeding from animals carrying a longrepressed recessive gene for a long coat. I will not talk in detail about the committee's lengthy procedures, except to say that among other activities, the committee solicited the views of 36 of the most senior breeders in the United States and England. The experience of some of these breeders dated back nearly to the beginning of this century. No breeder had ever owned, bred or seen a Whippet with a long silky coat, though several had seen and a few had owned and bred roughcoated Whippets, a dominant genetic variant which was allowed to become extinct after World War II.

Our committee could find no evidence that a recessive long-coat gene exists, or has ever existed, in Whippets. We concluded that regardless of how these animals arose, they were substantially different in many respects, of which coat was only one, from all other Whippets and should therefore be considered as an entirely separate, emerging breed. After receiving our conclusions and documentation, the American Kennel Club conducted an independent investigation, which led them to delete a large number of animals and litters from their stud book and registry.

Since the AKC's conclusions and actions, Mr. Wheeler, aided by a number of fanciers of these animals, has continued his experiment. He and others publicize and offer the longhaired animals for sale. The so-called "longhaired Whippet" now appears at rare breed shows; it is discussed at some length in the book, "Celebration of Rare Breeds". Specimens occasionally turn up at matches in this country, and at least a few have been exported.

In the short time I have, I want to do two things. First, I shall show you some of the photographs we took during our study of this question. I want to point out as clearly as I can what I believe to be the faulty premise upon which this breeding experiment has proceeded. Second, I want to discuss what approaches the organized Whippet fancy might take to this problem—for as long as these animals are called "Whippets", there is a prob­lem.

Let me show you a few photographs. In fairness, I will state that these photos of longhaired animals were taken 15 years ago, in 1981. Photos published in recent years suggest that at least some of these animals have attained a greater degree of uniformity. All of the animals I will show you were represented to me to be purebred Whippets, descended from registered ancestry of bloodlines known to be purebred. The alleged pedigrees of these animals showed incredibly tight line breeding from a very small number of dogs, and it is known that very extensive culling of litters occurred, in part because of very serious genetic defects and malformations. Whether subsequent generations of these animals have become more able to "breed true" is unknown to me.

There were marked variations in the animals my wife and I saw, in conformation, type and size. The smallest of these animals was probably no more than 11-12" in height, the largest perhaps 23 -24". The "Rare Breeds" article states that a miniature variant has been success­fully developed.

In some of the published material I have seen, proponents of these animals have lumped "long coats" with "rough coats". These materials gloss over the fact that rough-coated Whippets were bred, used (principally for racing and coursing), and reproduced easily, since the rough-coat gene is dominant, while the long-coated animals have been developed only with extreme difficulty, and as far as I know, only by one person in history. Though Mr. Wheeler quotes old documents to indicate that a long-coat Whippet variant existed, and cites breed­ers as having produced long-haired Whippets (he also states that it was after researching those bloodlines that he was able to produce his own stock), none of these breeders has ever publicly supported his claim and none of the many breeders to whom I have talked has ever seen or heard of such an animal.

More specifically, Mr Wheeler has identified Eng. Am. Ch. Hilllgarth Shot Silk of Pennyworth as a "foundation matron" behind these animals. Mrs. Lowe, whose illness kept her from being here, has line-bred Nimrodel Whippets for over 30 years on the sire and dam of Shot Silk without ever seeing the remotest evidence of the coat that characterizes the Wheeler animals. Mrs. Sheffield, who bred Shot Silk, and Mrs. Whitwell, who showed her to her English championship, both state that she had a perfectly normal Whippet coat. It is simply not possible to "rediscover" a genetic attribute that has never existed.

Most of the rest of the arguments concerning the longhaired animals are not central to the real question. The only central question is whether these animals are, or are not, purebred Whippets. A great deal of evidence suggests that they are not. But all available evidence suggests that whatever they are, they differ so materi­ally, in many respects, from all other Whippets in the world that they should be considered—by their propo­nents as well as everyone else—to be a separate and unique breed. Not a variety, but a breed apart.

DNA testing was not available when this matter was considered by the AWC or the parent Club. I do not know whether it would be useful at this time, but I am fairly sure that it would be resisted by those who support these animals. No attempt has been made, thus far, to introduce the longhairs as registrable animals under AKC auspices, though there is always the possibility that the longhair stud book, kept by the "Longhaired Whippet Association", may at some point be offered in support of their registration by AKC as a miscellaneous breed.

Further, various advertisements explicitly indicate that "smooth" Whippets lie behind these animals—and now, the reverse may also be true. In the most egregious example known to me, Mr. Wheeler stated (in Dog World, November, 1994, p. 120) that "some fanciers have up­graded smooths via the longhairs. One kennel bred a smooth matron, unrelated to Windsprites (Wheeler's kennel name), to a champion longhair, not owned by Windsprite. No (longhair) recessive behind the bitch, so all puppies were smooths. One, sold to a show home, finished its A.K.C. championship immediately and in a record few shows." It would be interesting to know how the parents of this champion animal were registered —specifically, what registered Whippet was fraudulently listed as the sire.

An even more difficult problem is posed by U.S. and international organizations more willing than the AKC to accept new breed variants and less careful about ex­ amining stud books and history. Deborah Lawson states in the February 23 Dog News that the UKC has recently recognized 74 additional breeds! These breeds are now entitled to be reviewed for UKC conformation exhibi­tion on a breed-by-breed basis.

All of these registering organizations recognize Whippets as a breed; many are less concerned than the AKC with the niceties of how new breeds were devel­oped, and are more willing to accept a breed register without critical examination. It is this fact, coupled with the fact that Mr. Wheeler and his followers adamantly refuse to consider any breed name other than "Whippet" to describe these animals, that is the principal reason for the continuing concern among Whippet fanciers everywhere.

What can be done about this? Mr. Wheeler is no longer a member of the American Whippet Club, nor as far as I know, any recognized Whippet Club, and is there­fore beyond the jurisdiction of such breed clubs. Any person anywhere can raise whatever he or she wishes, and can call it anything he or she desires. What steps might be available to Whippet fanciers anxious to main­ tain a clear separation between their Whippets and these animals?

I personally believe that by sponsoring such adver­tisements as the one I quoted above, Mr. Wheeler is engaging in activity misleading to the purebred dog fancy, and therefore "prejudicial to the best interests of the American Kennel Club", a phrase taken from article XII, section 1 of its Constitution. Mr. Wheeler continues to carry a registered kennel prefix, while carrying on advertising activities that suggest that the longhaired animals are indeed Whippets. As I have said before, both the American Whippet Club and the American Kennel Club concluded that they probably were not purebred and therefore should not be registered as Whippets.

At least one Texas breeder advertises (and exhibits) both smooth Whippets and longhaired animals which she alleges to be Whippets; other breeders in the area attempt to counteract this with ads offering information, regarding Whippets that conform to the AKC standard. It is known that at least one renowned judge, as well as a few Whippet fanciers, own longhaired animals. I believe that we have done much less than we could (and should, given the number of AKC judges now judging shows under other auspices) to publicize what is known (and not known) about this experiment with literature aimed specifically at AKC, CKC and TKC judges.

Would this make a difference? I believe that at least some AKC judges might be hesitant to judge these animals were they to become aware that the AKC does not recognize the longhairs as a breed and has expunged them from its stud book. I certainly would.

Every member of the AWC has a responsibility to make these facts known to dog fanciers who may con­ template purchasing and showing these animals. I would have great discomfort exhibiting a Whippet at any conformation event at which these animals were going to be shown, and I would have (and have had) no hesita­tion about letting the show's sponsors know why I preferred not to participate in such an event. It should be noted that under AKC rules, so-called "longhaired Whippets" cannot legally be shown, even as a rare breed, at or in conjunction with an AKC sanctioned match or other event.

Finally, I believe that Whippet fanciers who advertise in media, such as Dog World, that also carry advertisements for longhaired animals should consider whether they wish to question the accuracy of such media when they carry material relating to the longhaired animals if they are referred to as "Whippets". Periodic ads by Mr. Wheeler and the "Longhaired Whippet Association" have been a principal means of giving information concerning these animals to the dog fancy.

I have no quarrel with Mr. Wheeler's carrying out a breeding experiment; a great many people have done this, and the number is obviously growing. I have a great deal of discomfort with Mr. Wheeler referring to these animals as "Whippets... fighting back from near-extinction" when no longhaired Whippet has ever been known to exist by the most experienced breeders m the United States or England.

Mary Lowe, for whose capability and integrity I have the greatest respect, said in a letter to Dogs in Canada concerning the advertisement in that journal in January, 1994, "Whilst they may be attractive little dogs they are certainly not Whippets and they should not be advertised as such, nor are they a rare breed--they are in fact simply small Lurchers with rather untypical long silky coats, in whose ancestry a Whippet has probably played a part."

Regardless of what you call it, it is impossible to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. For over 50 years, since the last of the rough-coated Whippets was put down, Whippets have been smooth-coated animals. Whippets are not silky-coated dogs, and silky-coated dogs are not Whippets, regardless of their ancestry. This is the message that we need to emphasize when we encounter these animals. Cute they may be; legitimate domestic pets they certainly are. Whippets, however, they are not.

PEDIGREE INTEGRITY

Jane Strunin, U. K .

What is a pedigree? Merely a family tree, but a great deal of extra meaning is attached to this word; it has come to imply pure breeding it is regarded as synonymous with registration by an authorised body. A pedigree is just a chart of ancestors and is only as good or true as the integrity of the previous scribes. A registration underwrites a pedigree, but as the information fed to the registration body is provided by the breeder, from a previous pedigree, any mistakes or deliberate falsifications are thereby ratified and perpetuated. Since most registration bodies have reciprocity with those in other countries such calumnies can be further endorsed, as no registering body wishes to call into question the veracity of another's system. Furthermore if the registration superficially appears to be in order no extra investigations are made, for example, checking whether the colour combinations of the puppies are genetically possible.

Mistakes fall into three categories:

1. Spelling mistakes.

2. Genuine mistakes, copied through from other pedigrees.

3. Deliberate falsification:

a) Mistake matings — Uncertainty as to which dog mated the bitch or dual-matings, these may be genuine mistakes.

b) Falsification for gain, this is by far the most serious as the breeders who do this tend to be very devious and have a good working knowledge of the system and how to manipulate it to their own ends.

PURPOSE

To sell puppies from inferior stock for prices commanded by the forged pedigree. This is carried on in show circles as well as by racing breeders. It is much easier to do this in breeds that restrict color, e.q. Dalmatians, than in a breed that has a wide color spectrum like whippets.

So far all these falsifications occur within a purebred state i.e. a like to like breed mating.

However, in our breed we have a unique situation, not only do we have a very active interest in working i.e. racing, we have another closely related breed that runs faster and looks similar, the greyhound.

It is not inconceivable, given human nature, the desire to win and a devious frame of mind, that a few breeders may try some "genetic engineering" with a view to producing faster whippets. In Britain such cross bred "whippets" have been bred openly for many decades, and with no intention of fraud. They are bred to produce small fast racing dogs, they are not registered with the Kennel Club (KC) and their breeders have no wish so to do. (Rather in the same way the sled dog racers have produced their Alaskans). To call these cross bred whippets "non-pedigree whippets" is a misnomer as their breeders keep records as well as any group of pure bred breeders. They are more correctly referred to as crossbreds or un-registered, or if one wishes to be really offensive, lurchers.

However if these types of maneuvering are done, with the intention to defraud, the falsification of pedigrees does not just relate to incorrect parentage being bestowed onto a purebred whippet, but blue chip ancestors are acquired by a mongrel! A process known as paper hanging.

There are various ways of paper hanging:

1. Buy a registration paper from someone with a pet registered whippet; but the gender has to be correct and the color close.

2. Persuade a breeder to register an extra puppy in their next litter, this way the color and gender are not a problem.

3. Pay an owner of a registered dog and bitch to conceive a phantom litter. The KC only requests the signature of the owners of the sire and dam and the date of mating. Neither does the KC request evidence that the sire and dam are entire at the date of mating. It has been alleged that in one case the "parents" of a suspect dog had been neuteted years before! Now at least the KC will not register puppies from bitches over the age of 8, but males can go on siring to death and beyond; and we are not talking sperm banks here.

4. To buy a registered puppy which is of roughly the same colour as your cross bred and just use those papers. The KC is terminally color blind, I have had a black masked red fawn with white trim, given a paint job by the KC she came back as a black, red and white, a colour common in Foxhounds but virtually unheard of in whippets. This apparently rare occurrence raised no questions from our august body.

There is a much more worrying angle to this than even the pedigree falsification; namely, what happens to that little registered puppy once the owner has its papers? One hopes that it is kept as a pet, but I sometimes wonder. A particular case in point occurred last year when an American came on a shopping trip to England looking for a pedigree race dog and a cross bred; one can only assume the reason for this was to obtain the passport and papers fromthe pedigree dog. If this operation had been successful what would have happened to that little pedigree whippet? I doubt it would have been economic to have shipped it back to America. No, more likely it would have been abandoned in Britain, if lucky to be taken in by the Whippet Rescue, if unlucky just another statistic in the dog pound.

5. Deliberate dual matings; if a breeder knows when his bitch is ovulating he can arrange to have her covered by a cross bred stud dog on the correct day and then get her covered by a pedigree dog either a few days before or after. The puppies when born will be registered as being from the pedigree dog.

6.. A.I.; modern science has not aided us here. Straws can be collected and sent anywhere. There is no limit to the possibility of fraud this opens up. This is one reason why the N.C.C. will not allow A.I.

Another disquieting problem that is now emerging to further compound the issue, is that of modern computerised desk top publishing which renders sophisti­cated techniques of scanning and forgery easily accessible to those with nefarious intentions.

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