The first available records on The American Whippet Club activities go back to 1930 with a membership of less than 20. The early emphasis by the American Whippet Club was the operation of one major specialty show held in a location most convenient to the majority of Whippet owners living in the East. By the late 1950's the American Whippet Club began actively moving from an eastern organization towards recognizing the needs of the Whippet on a national, basis. During this period, the Board of Directors was increased from seven to nine members, and Board members included individuals living other than in the eastern portion of the U.S.A. The annual eastern specialty concept was expanded so there was an American Whippet Club specialty held in the East, Midwest, and on the West Coast. The Constitution and By-Laws were also slightly altered to better cover the constant increase of Whippet population and ownership in all parts of America.

Today, the American Whippet Club has over 500 members from around the world. The AWC is involved in educating new judges about the Whippet standard, in rescue, and in keeping members informed about health issues within the breed. The AWC also maintains a large archive of historical material on the Whippet.

The American Whippet Club is the national breed club for Whippets within the American Kennel Club. It promotes the showing, responsible breeding, obedience training and competition, lure coursing, and versatility of the whippet breed. Membership is open to anyone who 1) is in good standing with the American Kennel Club; 2) has owned a whippet for at least two years; and 3) subscribes to the purposes of the club. Two endorsements by AWC members in good standing are also required to apply.  Members are expected to abide by the

AWC Code of Ethics

which was adopted in 1996.

 The Constitution and By-Laws

were last revised on May 23, 1993.

Anyone interested in joining should contact 

 Kay Nierengarten
AWC Membership Chair
5654 Chalstrom Drive
Saginaw, MN  55779 kay@northwindcatalog.com

A printable version of the AWC is available at:

Membership Application
The AWC puts on a National Specialty which is held in a different part of the country each year so that fanciers in all regions can have the opportunity to attend a National in their area.  The National Specialty includes a Futurity event for puppies 18 months of age and younger.   You must nominate a bitch while she is in whelp using the official in order to enter the puppies in the futurity.

AWC Futurity Bitch Nomination Form

In addition, the AWC sponsors six (Western, Midwest, Eastern, Southern, North Central, and South Central). 

regional whippet specialties

The AWC awards the producing titles of ROM (register of merit) and ROMX (register of merit excellent) to Whippets who have sired or produced exceptional numbers of bench champions, race or lure coursing champions.   For complete requirements and application click

here

You may get a copy of the ROM application by emailing ROM director

ROM Regulations

Donna D. Lynch at ddlhamrya@aol.com

or you may download a

PDF formatted version of the ROM application.

(You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print this file.  You may a free copy of Adobe Reader.)

download

 

The AWC offers the Award of Versatility (A.V.) and Award of Versatility Excellent (A.V.X.) as well as the Ch. Award of Versatility (C.A.V.) and Ch. Award of Versatility Excellent (C.A.V.X) to living whippets of AWC members who have shown excellence in a variety of venues .  Click to review the requirements and download a copy of the application. 

here

The AWC is also involved in educating new judges about the Whippet standard, in rescue, and in keeping members informed about health issues within the breed. The AWC also maintains a large archive of historical material on the Whippet.

The American Whippet Club puts out a monthly newsletter, The Whippet News, to which anyone may subscribe. A one year subscription is $30.00.  Contact the Newsletter Editor, Christine Hopperstad, at 130 34th Avenue East, Seattle, WA 98112cah@gte.net

Officers of the American Whippet Club for 2007 are: