American Whippet Club 1982 Whippet Annual |
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Pages 81-107 A special thanks to Heather and Everett Dansereau of Devonair Whippets for this great historical piece. SAILAWAY DREAM WEAVER, C.D., F.Ch.
DREAMER was forced to retire from active competition before she was three years old as a result of a badly broken leg when she was 42 months old. Despite this handicap, DREAMER proved herself to be truly a versatile whippet. Prior to her injury, she was a match group winner and after the injury she went on to be top Canadian NPR puppy in 1977, earn points towards her ARM, and finish her field championship with a Best in Field. DREAMER is also producing. Her first litter sired by Am.Can.Ch. Marials King Arthur produced a show champion, an American Field Champion as well as Canada's top NPR whippet for 1980 and 1981, Sailaway Dreamer's Dagget, ARM, owned by Donna Jackson. DREAMER's second litter, bred by Bill Turpin "Of Course", was sired by Regalstock Panama Red, ARM and these youngsters have already proven themselves. Congratulations to Bitch Cassidy of Course, owned by Bill Turpin, on her 2 ARM points picked up at 111 months and Buffalo Nickel of Course and his owners Bruce and John Nickel and Bill Turpin on his impressive NPR puppy record record and his 4 ARM points earned at only 13 1/2 months of age. DREAMER will be bred in 1983 to Ch. Sailaway Northern Lights. SAILAWAY WHIPPETS (reg'd) Barry & Lorna Leinbach 13041 Linton Way , Surrey, B.C., Canada V3W 5W3 (604) 594-6443 Can.Ch. SAILAWAY HIGH SEAS (Am.Ch. Runner's He's the Continental x Can.Ch. Alcyon Eleventh Hour) Our newest star - "GUSTO" is following his kennel mates to becoming a top versatile hound. "GUSTO" finished his Canadian Championship at 11 months with a 4 point win under Mrs. Jean Fancy and a 5 point win under Mr. Stan Whitmore. "GUSTO" is pictured at 7 months of age winning Best of Breed and Group 2 for 5 points under whippet specialist Dr. W. Houpt. "GUSTO" also loves to run. At 10 months of age he was chosen as Best Puppy in Field at the LMWA lure course and is also qualified to run NPR. "GUSTO" and his littermates will be competing in the show ring and on the track in Canada and the U.S. in 1983. SAILAWAY WHIPPETS (reg'd) Barry & Lorna Leinbach 13041 Linton Way , Surrey, B.C., Canada V3W 5W3 (604) 594-6443 Can.Ch. SAILAWAY NORTHERN LIGHTS (Am.Ch. Epinard Canyon Creek Sage, ARM, CC x Can.Ch. Alcyon Eleventh Hour) "TOBY" can do it all! With limited exposure, "TOBY" has proven himself in the show ring. He is a group winner in Canada and was also Best of Winners at the Santa Barbara Specialty under Carol Willumson in 1981. "TOBY" is a pointed grade A NOTRA racer and also has 5 ARM points. In only two weekends of lure coursing, "TOBY" has accumulated 80 points towards his Canadian Field Championship. He can also produce - "TOBY" has two particolor litters whelped in 1982 out of Ch. Edenfield Jade O'White Acres and Am.Ch. Sporting Fields Honey. Watch for these youngsters in 1983. Most of all, "TOBY" is a valued companion and always gives his best. SAILAWAY WHIPPETS (reg'd) Barry & Lorna Leinbach 13041 Linton Way , Surrey, B.C., Canada V3W 5W3 (604) 594-6443 BANNER WHIPPETS presents .. . Can.Ch. Wildwood Striped Banner (Am.Ch. Alcyon Whistle Stop x Can.Ch. Briarwyckes Somethin' Special) "RHIA" is pictured at 10 months of age with judge Tom Quilley going Best Puppy in Group. She went on to finish her Canadian Championship easily with a Group Fourth.
Sailaway Lady Alexis (Am.Ch. Runner's He's the Continental x Can.Ch. Alcyon Eleventh Hour) "ALEXIS" is pictured at 7 months of age going Best of Winners for 5 points under John Shelton at the Western Gazehound Club Specialty. Both "RHIA" and "ALEXIS" will be shown and raced in Canada and the U.S. in 1983. Watch for them! OWNED AND LOVED BY: James Bannerman 4633 W. 3rd Ave., Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6R 1N5 RAGTIME presents -
Can.Ch. RAGTIME TALISMAN (Am.Ch. Sheridan Marial's Nikita x Ch. Swiftsure Ragtime Galatea, Can.Am.F.Ch., Can.Am.CD) "DYLAN" is our first home-bred bench champion. He is pictured at the age of 7 months, going Best of Winners for 3 points under Mr. Len Reece. Twice he was Best Puppy in Group on his way to finishing at 11 months. "DYLAN" is now in novice obedience training and he will be ready for the spring trials. RAGTIME (reg'd) owned, bred, handled and loved by Jim and Bonnie Goebel
AWARD OF RACING MERIT SIR GREGGO OF WYNDSOR (Greggo) owned by Darryl and Joyce Sherma OVAL TRACK RACING CHAMPION CLIPPER GANDALF OF WYNDSOR,ARM (Clipper) also owned by Darryl and Joyce Sherman COURSING CHAMPION - Open Field REGALSTOCK AMBERWOOD C.O.E.,LCM (Chloe) owner David Gill LURE FIELD CHAMPION RANCHO K-V'S ANDOVER END (Windsor) owned by Steve and Dana Lean( CRESTFIELD GIRL WONDER (Robin) also owned by the Leanes CH.STONEY MEADOWS HEIAN SKY (Maxine) owned by Mary Jane Pruett and Mary Smithburn LURE COURSER CF MERIT DARBE'S JET PROPULSION,F.CH. (J.P.) owned by Steve and Dana Lea COMPANION DOG FLYALONG ANTOINETTE (Annie) owned by Carolyn Lucier SANDHILL STEAMER GOLD (Sandman) owned by Wendy Russell TRACKING DOG SEA AIRE HAITU TWISTER,CD (Rebel) owned by Dave Blalock and Elizabeth J. Blalock
REBEL
Barbara Adcock (trainer/handler), REBEL, Elizabeth Blalock (chauffer/owner) shown at tracking test site in California with the big red work glove he found at the end of the track. SEA AIRE HAITU TWISTER, CD, TD whelped Jan.21, 1979, earned his Companion Dog title November 24, 1979. He earned his Tracking Dog title with Barbara April 24, 1982. His chauffer has such bad allergies he has to have a handler! Although he will chase a squeaky furry thing, he does not like to compete with other hounds so he will never reach the potential assumed from his pedigree.
MERCI ISLE SUMMERWIND CANDO (CH. ARRIANS FACET OF GOLD DUST x CH. MERCI ISLE SHADOW MIST) "Success Breeds On" CH. SUMMERWIND THE MAGICIAN PROGENY AVAILABLE.
MERCI ISLE NEXT STOP FAME (CH. MORSHORS APPRAXIN ARIEL x CH. MERCI ISLE MISTY BLUE) HALF SISTER TO THE TOP PRODUCER OF THE BREED AND GRANDDAUGHTER OF THE LEGENDARY CH. WINTERFOLD BOLD BID. WE ARE EXCITED! GUARANTEED SUCCESSORS AVAILABLE NOW!
WE SALUTE WITH PRIDE, AND OFFER . . CH. SUMMERWIND'S THE MAGICIAN PROVEN NEGATIVE FOR THE RECESSIVE DILUTE GENE.
BARBARA L. HENDERSON. V. M. D. When asked to write an article on whippet health problems and medical peculiarities for the Whippet Annual, I said certainly, not realizing what a task I had undertaken. I am sure the editor was looking for a rather detailed, in depth article. However, I must disappoint the editor and readers. The search of the literature for information on problems pertaining to whippets or sighthounds in general was unrewarding. The few articles found were case reports, individual observations and heresay. Nothing has really been researched or documented concerning pecularities of the whippet. Therefore, the following comments are my own personal observations and what I feel may present medical problems to owners. The whippet is fortunate that it has not reached the top ten most wanted dog list. By not being one of the most sought after dogs the whippet has been spared many of the problems created by mass breeding, in-breeding, etc. Breeders, in trying to produce aesthetically pleasing types, have sacrificed soundness of mind, body and limb. The purpose and function of the dog has also taken a back seat to type. The whippet is one of the few breeds that has been spared many of the hereditar and congenital diseases common to many of the popular breeds. Problems mentioned unde whippet were partial alopecia, which is a lack of hair in certain parts of the body, and cryptorchidism. I think this is really commendable and hopefully the list will not grow. Most problems requiring medical attention are acute rather than chronic problems. Perhaps a few whippet owners feel they might own a corner of their vet erinarian's hospital, but in general our breed doesn't support the veterinarian. Whippets have a bad habit of letting trees, fences, etc. run into them, and they suffer minor and major lacerations requiring sutures. Most whippets do very well being sutured with or without a local anesthetic. Care must be taken when suturing as the skin tears easily and deep bites of tissue must be taken to avoid dehiscence of the wound. If a general anesthetic must be given, care must be taken in the administration of the proper concentration and amount for the weight of the whippet. Many owners are afraid of anesthesia and are reluctant to give permission for its use. Barbituate anesthetics appear to have more serious side effects on the whippet than the inhalation and tranquilizer/narcotic anesthetic agents. In trying to find the answer to this peculiarity, I was unable to find any documented evidence in the literature regarding anesthesia sensitivity in whippets. Perhaps the answer lies within the invididual dog and how he metabolizes and detoxifies the anesthetic. If the dog has a problem with an anesthetic, this should be noted and the information included in the breeding record. Perhaps the problem is the liver and there is an inability to detoxify the drug. Please make the veterinarian aware of the possibility of anesthetic sensitivity and to exercise caution, but do not intimidate the doctor. I One of the other peculiarities of the whippet is their extreme sensitivity to organic phosphates. These products are used in many insecticides, flea collars and worm medications. The reaction that is seen is due to a low level of an enzyme, cholinesterase, needed to counteract the organic phosphate. If the whippet has sufficient levels of the enzyme, then he could certainly tolerate flea collars, dips and internal preventatives. Again, I would suggest adding any sensitivity to organic phosphates to the breeding record. I advise against wearing flea collars on puppies that are kept together for fear of chewing and ingesting the collars. The symptoms of organic phosphate poisoning are vomiting, diarrhea, salivation and weakness The injectable worm preparations that are currently being used are very painful and not absorbed readily. They are effective but I prefer the oral preparations if possible. A few autoimmune mediated diseases and hormonal diseases have been reported in the whippet. These diseases are more the unusual than the usual. Whippets do not like being hospitalized or kenneled in strange places. They will recover much faster if it is possible to care for them in familiar surroundings. The whippet is not an old breed and is fortunate to be relatively free of congenital and hereditary diseases and defects. Why would anyone want to tamper with such a beautiful, sound animal? Please, fellow whippet owners, do your homework, research pedigrees before breeding, be honest with each other, and above all keep our of mind body limb and coat.
ENTERPRISE FARM CECILTON , MARYLAND 21913 MR. AND MRS. W. P. WEAR, OWNERS November 5, 1982 Dear Wendy, Time has run on, and I have not yet complied with your request for an article on vitamin supplements. Every time I sit down to think about it I get cold feet as I feel I am not qualified to make statements I cannot prove since I am neither an M.D. or Veterinarian. I can only tell you that my feeling about feeding extra vitamin-minerals to my dogs stem from personal experience Potter and I have had taking extra vitamin- minerals ourselves. We are known as "health nuts" but at our ages to feel so well since taking the extra vitamin-mineral supplements (for about 25 years now) we are convinced there is something in it. Therefore, what's good for us must be good for our dogs! The only two vitamins that can be harmful if taken in over-doses are vitamin A and vitamin D, both of which are oil soluble, and any excess that is over the amount required by the body is stored in the liver and can be damaging. The vitamin B complex and vitamin C are water soluble and therefore any excess of these is passed off in the urine. Consequently mega-doses of these two vitamins are not harmful and since every living organism, human and canine, are individual in their needs and use of food, we feel that large doses of these two vitamins are a good thing to give. We are particularly enthusiastic about the advangages of vitamin C. All our dogs get at least a 500 milligram tablet a day. Puppies get the same twice a day and show dogs on the road get 2 or 3 500 milligram doses a day, as vitamin C is excellent for dogs under stress. In addition each dog in the kennel receives daily some yeast tablets (which they adore and will eat like candy), 15 milligrams of Zinc, 200 units of vitamin E, Kelp, plus an all purpose vitamin-mineral supplement. I must explain that we do this to balance out "home cooking"! We feed only a very small amount of commercial food and the cereal part of our dogs' diet con sists primarily of oatmeal and brown rice. We are firmly of the belief that dogs, being carnivores, are first of all meat eaters, therefore we feed half and half raw beef with tripe and our homemade cereal mix. To the cereal mix we add bonemeal, at the rate of one heaping teaspoon per dog. Bonemeal has the perfect calcium/phosphorus ratio, and we feel that it is the best insurance against broken bones. We never supplement with calcium by itself. I mentioned above that we do use a small amount of commercial food. This is a product which goes by the corny name of OLD MOTHER HUBBARD! This dog food company has apparently been going for a number of years but only recently has gotten on the health band-wagon and is now putting out an All-Natural kibble and also large milk- bone type chew biscuits. "All-Natural" means they add no preservatives, no artificial color and no sugar. The only additives are an assortment of herbs. The dogs seem to relish this food and enjoy their chew bones at bedtime as much, if not more, than they did the milkbones. Since the kibble has a low fat content we put in our own fat in the form of suet. Well, Wendy, I seem to have written my article in this letter, so you may print it this way if you wish. Sincerely, Doris Wear WHELPING WHIPPETS - AN OWNER'S-EYE VIEW Lillian and Charles Billings Lillian and Charles Billings Flyalong Whippets Before our first litter of Whippets was born, we made several trips to the Public Library and ended up with a book which has been our obstetrical Bible ever since (Whitney). (The librarian had to have a special visit by the puppies when they were ready to go out.) There have been several new books since that time; most are helpful. Size is no gauge of when a bitch is ready to deliver (photo 1). It is necessary to keep track of the duration of pregnancy. If a bitch goes longer than 64 days from her first mating, talk to your vet and be guided by his or her advice.
photo 1 Whippets that are house pets are apt to need reassurance and the presence of "their people" near at hand, especially before and during their first whelping. No two bitches react exactly alike. Our first one kept us up much of the night for three nights before she got down to the business of having her babies, yet she was an excellent brood bitch once she started and taught us a great deal. She was less than 2 years old and her maternal instinct was marvelous to behold. In contrast, our third bitch never was restless, never gave any signs of labor until we noticed her pushing a bit against the back of our couch. Upon investigating, we found a black - and distinctly blue - nose sticking out, still covered by membranes, but not far enough...Very little happened for over an hour (after we had called the vet), then she quite suddenly produced a large, living and healthy female. She paid little attention to her puppies and we had to clean each one, cut and tie the cords. Puppies just appeared with no apparent effort or strain. She too was a good mother after her whelping was over, but it was a long night! Incidentally, we have found rectal temperature to be quite useless as a guide to when the mother is ready to deliver. We never leave our bitches alone when they are in labor. The other dogs are kept out of the way (except when the bitch wants the sire with her, as in photo 2!), and strangers are not allowed in to watch. We have found that old flannel sheets (sheet blankets), towels, etc., make for a much easier and cleaner whelping area than shredded newspapers, though we do sometimes use the newspapers under the toweling so the bitch can nest more easily.
photo 2 We keep a small box or crate near the whelping cage with a clean towel covering a warm heating pad, and we do remove the puppies to this box as the bitch gets ready for each new birth. As soon as the new puppy is nursing, we put the others back with the mother until she starts get ting restless and ready to drop another pup. Though we stay with the mother and offer reassurance, we do not intervene unless it is necessary. Whelping is a normal process and it is best left to the bitch; most Whippets are good whelpers, though they vary from good to indifferent as mothers. There are, however, a few things that we watch for. The bitch will often pass a little blood-stained mucus some hours or days before she starts to whelp. This mucus plug is from the cervix and is nothing to worry about. Heavier bleeding prior to birth is a serious problem, however, and should signal an immediate call to the veterinarian. When the membranes rupture, there will be a gush of clear yellow fluid. This is normal; it means labor is underway and puppies will not be far behind. If the fluid is bile-colored or smells offensive, it may indicate trouble and should be discussed with the vet as soon as possible. Occasionally, as with our third litter, the bitch will get very tired, stop working at her task and seem unable or unwilling to continue. We were concerned, seeing the face presenting through the vagina, about a puppy too big for her to deliver unaided and too high for us to help with. Ordinarily, the bitch will get back to work after a little rest, as Debby did. If not, the vet's help is needed. Brandy is shown panting shortly before delivery in photo 3. This is not uncommon late in labor. It is also a time when the bitch may try to go outdoors to defecate. Go with her if you let her out; it is usually a puppy causing the pressure rather than feces.
photo 3 Brandy had a hard time delivering her first puppy, who came feet first (photo 4). This is not a common delivery position. In this case, once the hind quarters were nearly out, we grasped them very gently with a soft clean washcloth and pulled gently with each contraction, relaxing the pressure between contractions but keeping hold of the pup. This little bit of help assisted her to deliver the body, and the head came spontaneously.
photo 4 Once the pup has been delivered, the mother will usually remove (and eat) the membranes covering the puppy (photo 5), clean it, bite the cord through, then deliver the afterbirth, which she will also usually eat. Don't discourage her; she needs the iron from the red blood cells, and the placental tissue will loosen her bowels, which are apt to be somewhat constipated.
photo 5 Some mothers will tend to bite the umbilical cord very close to the puppy's abdomen. If she begins to do this, we clamp the cord with a small hemostat (veterinary or medical supply houses have them), then cut the cord with clean scissors (always on the side of the clamp away from the puppy!!). Usually, leaving the clamp in place for five minutes or so will avoid any oozing. If the cord does ooze blood, however, it should be tied with a short strip of clean cotton cloth (not thread, which will cut). Puppies can lose a lot of blood from an oozing cord, and they need every bit they can keep. Don't be in too much of a hurry to clamp the cord; the contractions of the mother's uterus while she's delivering the afterbirth supplies extra blood to the puppy, which is all to the good. Occasionally, the mother will not stimulate a puppy or encourage it to suck. In that case, we don't hesitate to move that puppy in for a go at the fullest breast (photo 6). This may need to be done for a couple of days with a weak or very tiny pup, but nearly all of them can be helped if they are kept warm and helped to get some extra nourishment. We think this is far better and easier than tube feeding, which robs the puppy of antibodies that are supplied only in the mother's milk, and mostly during the first few days of life. If the mother rejects the pup, of course, all you can do is to try to tube-feed it. Such puppies, however, don't have a very good chance if this happens during the first couple of days.
photo 6 Finally, it is most important to keep the puppies warm -- about 80-85 degrees. Puppies are not able to control their temperature for the first few days of life; their pen must be free from drafts and warm. Whippets don't have much coat for the puppies to snuggle into, though most mothers do their best to keep the puppies very close to them (photo 7). We have had good luck using an electric blanket over a wire crate, to which we transfer mother and puppies after whelping is complete. This avoids the danger of overheating with an infrared bulb and provides good temperature control without driving your family out of the house!
photo 7 Dew claws are a matter of individual preference. Some people prefer to do them, usually 24-48 hours after birth; others prefer to let the vet take care of this. Either works well if the owner feels comfortable about it. Two final points: we weigh our puppies daily and keep careful records for the first month or more. If a puppy begins to drop behind, it gets extra time on breast, or supplemental feedings. Puppies should gain, on average, each day during this period. If they continue to gain, it is a good sign that all is going well. If not, look for worms, first and foremost -- regardless of whether you think your bitch had worms -- and anything else second. Ask your vet what can safely be given to control worms at this early age, but don't neglect a weight loss or a failure to gain. It's a lot easier to stay ahead of them than to catch up later. Lastly, we watch our mothers carefully, to be sure that they stop draining blood and clots promptly. We have once or twice neglected continuing drainage, always to our sorrow. The easiest way to do this is to let the bitch urinate on a clean concrete patio, checking her especially first thing in the morning, or to collect the first morning urine in a shallow pan or dish. We do not give a hormone just after whelping; many breeders do. But you must watch to be sure the bitch has expelled all afterbirth tissue, and this is the easiest way to do it. This is not an obstetrical hand book; there are several excellent ones (see below). It is simply the things that two long-time breeders do to help their bitches have a safe and normal delivery. Ninety percent of whelpings go without difficulty - but being aware of potential problems can save the other ten percent, and most of the likely problems are mentioned here. Abnormal puppies often do not deliver easily; the amniotic fluid may be bile-stained, bloody or otherwise abnormal. If in doubt, let the vet decide whether you have a healthy puppy or not and dispose of it as quickly as possible if it is seriously deformed. Happy whelping! With care, you'll be as fortunate as we have been, and your first bitch will show you how it's done, as ours did. REFERENCES Carlson & Giffin: Dog Owners' Veterinary Handbook. New York, Howell,1980. Christine Cormany: Whippet Handbook. Daglish: Dog Breeding. London, Douglas-Todd: The Whippet. London, Whitney: Breed Your Dog. Jersey City , TFH Publications, 1960.
Ch. Whippoorwill Diamond, (Ch. Misty Moor's Thornwood Dondi x Ch. Lady Blair of Whippoorwill) Diamond "reflects" on her Best In Show at Berks County Kennel Club in September winning over more than two thousand dogs. Diamond is Whippoorwill's second gen tion Best In Show, her dam being a multiple Best In Show and Group winner. Best In Show judge Mrs. Marie Moore, Breed and Group judge Alvin Tiedemann. Handler, Damara Bolte.
Owner - Breeder
Whippoorwill Tananger Timely" started his show career at Ravenna Kennel Club, going Best of Winners the puppy class for a five point major. Shown here with his new co-owner, Syl Rozny, he has been awarded two more majors and is nearing his championship. All from the puppy class!
WHIPPOORWILL IS VERY PROUD OF LADY BLAIR'S "BIRD" LITTER. WATCH THEM SOAR IN 1983! Co-owner - Breeder
Hardknott Maestro of Bohem (Ch. Novacroft Madrigal x Ch. Belinda of Hardknott) "Max" recently arrived from England and will be co-owned by Whippoorwill and Bohem. This handsome young dog has a pedigree as exciting as he is. For his ring debut he was Best of Winners at National Capitol and Upper Marlboro Kennel Clubs. Many thanks to Max's breeder, Mrs. M.E. Bennett, for letting this young dog come to our country. Pedigree is in Pedigree Section.
Terra Whisetta Bryan Bohem (Int.Ch. Bohem Filipin x Bohem Drotiningholm) " Oslo" arrived from Norway in September, young and full of personality, attacked and captured Whippoorwill. A Ch. Akeferry Jimmy grandson, Oslo will figure strongly in Whippoorwill's breeding program. Watch for his debut in '83.
FLYALONG Whippets - Quality and Companionship since 1956
WHERE TEMPERAMENT IS TOPS MEET THE DYNAMIC DUO !
(ch. Pathens Terrace Hill Snowman x Small Pines Thunderhead) Can.Ch. Small Pines Fire and Ice and his brother Small Pines Sasquatch shown going Best Brace in Show at the Thousand Islands Kennel Club. Defeated only once in Brace competition since their debut, at the age of eleven months, as Best Brace in Breed under Doris Wear at the Ontario Sighthound Specialty. Proving the versatitliy of the whippet, not only was Fire and Ice half of this BIS Brace twice this summer, he also acquired the first leg of his C.D. with a score of l92 1/2 and a fourth in Novice B. Watch for the Dynamic Duo's brother, The Harlequin of Small Pines, in Junior Showmanship piloted by his owner Anna Lipari. For their pedigree, see last year's pedigree section of the Whippet Annual Sometime this winter we hope to breed the Duo's half sister, Oh Semaj Rose from Stover (Ch. Pathen's Terrace Hill Snowman x Can.Ch. Semaj Cindy's Royal Tradi tion, a Gridley daughter) to Abgar Valpier Aarau (Eng.Ch. Black Knight of Carmodian x Irish Ch. Dondelayo Marianette). Reservations will be accepted. Deborah E. Haddow Dentwood Drive Wells Bridge , IAN 13859 (607) 988-2867 Ch. Snowflight's Porsche
(Am.Can.Ch. Misty Moor's Chamondoley x Ch. Jano's Ambiosia) "A VERY SPECIAL BITCH" Porsche will be bred this winter.
Sandra Jones 115 NE 43rd Street Kansas City, MO 64116 Wildfire's Blaze of Taraglen (Ch. Terrace Hill's Warlock x Pikop's Wayward Wind)
Wildfire 1982 MIDWEST SHOW REPORT 1982 was a full, active year in all areas of Whippet-related endeavors in the Mid-West. We experienced growth in almost all of the aspects of our sport, and the trend toward education coupled with our social activities continued. It was good to see these broadening interests and activities extend across the Mid-Western regional map, as our supported entries demonstrated. We had our annual supported entries in Ohio and Chicago as before, but were most pleased to welcome the Heart of America whippet fanciers in the Kansas City area, and the Detroit area fanciers, both groups holding their first-ever A.W.C. supported entries. They were, unfortunately, held on the same weekend (this will not happen next year) so I was unable to attend them both, but I understand that both were very successful, with quality entries, and with the gathering of exhibitors after the judging for lunch and conversation. This kind of get-together not only cements our Whippet-related friendships, but provides a forum for stimulating discussion and education. We hope the interest continues to grow in all areas, and our goal is to spread that interest throughout all our geographic boundaries. Once again, the highlight of the year for our region was the A.W.C. Mid-West Specialty weekend, an event that has become an annual trek across the country for many. We hope we provided a full weekend of social and educational events, in addition to the dog shows, an effort that has become our trademark. On Thursday at the Agathon Kennel Club, for the first time we offered a Sweepstakes in addition to the regular class judging. Mr Jerry Edwards judged the Sweeps for us and Mr Norman Ellis judged the regular classes. We were overwhelmed by the entry, about 80 in the Sweeps and 140 in the regular classes - incredible for a Thursday show - and both judges were more than up to the task. On Friday, instead of the race meet we held an all-day, educational seminar given by Dr Quentin LaHam, a former professor of anatomy. One innovation of this seminar, with the kind permission of the A.W.C., was to offer this seminar free to all A.K.C. licensed judges. The turnout was most successful with more than 170 attending. And those who did attend were rewarded by one of the most interesting, enjoyable, entertaining and truly educational presentations on canine anatomy, movement and judging to be heard. Dr LaHam's seminar usually lasts two days, so we were treated to a one day "cram course" which included an actual canine skeleton, slides, written handouts and live Whippet evaluation. Although Dr LaHam's seminar is intended for all breeds, he kindly tailored many of his comments to the whippet in particular, and won over most of us with an early observation that the whippet is probably the most efficient animal of the domestic canine species. Included with the seminar was a lunch break where we were served a delicious cold buffet luncheon and had a chance to "digest" the morning's information before proceeding with the afternoon portion of the seminar. Our thanks to Mrs Pat Dresser and her daughter, Chris. Pat arranged all the details of the seminar and hosted the event, which we all found exceedingly worthwhile. On Friday night we enjoyed our traditional Club dinner and distributed a number of Whippet-oriented door prizes. It gave us all a chance to meet on a strictly social level, and it is a truly fun part of the hectic weekend. At Ravenna K.C., the weather cooperated beautifully, and we were treated to an entry of about 90 in the Sweeps and 185 in the regular classes. Thanks must go to Peggy Newcombe for stepping in and taking the entry overload on both Saturday and Sunday. Since we have had this large entry for two years now, in the future we will invite two judges for the weekend shows. The Ravenna judging began early with Mr Joe Messineo judging the Sweeps and Mr Clifford Thompson passing on the regular classes. The show was a success in every sense of the word. Sunday dawned cold and damp and misty, surprising many of our visitors who were expecting summer in Ohio in the month of August. But it did warm up and the sun came out for all but the very end of the judging in the late afternoon. Our host club, the Western Reserve K.C., again provided us with our own separate tents, and semi-separate parking area (if you arrived early enough to take advanage of it), and, except for an influx of Lhasa Apsos in the afternoon, our area was fairly exclusive. Our entry was another record-breaker with Dr Barbara Henderson handling the Sweeps entry of 100 with professionalism, and Mr Bo Bengtson (and Mrs Newcombe) the regular classes of 221, with the greatest of expertise. Their decisions were certainly well-deserved and most popular. All in all, the Specialty weekend was a smashing success. The credit for this must be fully extended to Pat Dresser and her daughter, Chris, for all of their efforts. Pat's ideas and innovations make the weekend constantly changing, adding events of interest to all, making it the most popular weekend of the year to Whippet fanciers nationwide. Also special thanks must go to Wendy Clark who not only did such a beautiful job as trophy chairman for the Specialty weekend, but helps out in many and various capacities throughout the year, too. Wendy is also Editor of this Annual, as she has been for a couple of years (the first along with Pat), a publication that continues to expand and improve, and is instantly a collector's item upon publication. We invite you all to make plans to attend the 1983 Mid-West Specialty weekend beginning Thursday, August 25 and culminating with the Specialty on Sunday, August 28. We have already begun plans, and invite ideas and suggestions from all of you. We mailed out a questionnaire in the Whippet News for all to respond to. We're not sure that we can top the success of the 1982 Specialty weekend, but we certainly will try. We do promise to provide hospitality, entertainment, education, a great deal of fun, and a warm Mid-Western welcome to you all. Phoebe Jordan Booth
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