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Hi All,

My name is Amy and I am the proud owner of a 6 year old whippet bitch. I 'acquired' her when I was working in Australia on a 2 year visa and brought her home to the UK with me. Luckily Australia is rabies free so she came in on a variation of the pet passport scheme. Much cheaper and less stressful than quarantine but still cost a bomb! She's definitely worth it though. After a few starts and stops we are finally getting started with agility and are ready to (try) to compete this summer. Not sure how successful we will be but we will definitely have fun! She's definitely got bags of athletic ability.

I have also decided I would like to get into conformation showing as well on the urging of a friend of mine who big into her horse showing. I've been to plenty of dog shows in my life but never paid enough attention. I'm going to attend a few of my local club's ringcraft classes so we are prepared technique wise. However, I have no idea if she is well put together. She is a little on the skinny side as getting her to eat enough is quite tricky and I have been having a few health problems recently so she hasn't been having the long walks we used to do last summer so has lost a little muscle tone. She is very healthy though and always ready to take part in whatever is going on. I think she's gorgeous and perfect (obviously) and people always tell me so but I need to find someone who can tell me if she is a good example of a whippet (especially since she's a foreigner - although her grandad is from the UK).

What I am trying to say is who do you think I should ask since I don't have her original breeder to consult? We live near Leamington Spa/Warwick.

Also I need to go buy a show lead and have no idea what size/type/colour I need! She is fawn brindle with white trim and black mask.

Thanks in advance and I hope everyone has a good long weekend!

Amy :)
 
Your best bet is to go along to a couple of shows and watch the whippet classes. Speak to the handlers and get some advice from them. Don't spend much money on your first show lead. A fine black cord lead will do for a while. Have a look at what others are using and perhaps ask to try them out. Whippet breed shows have stalls with lots of collars and leads for sale. You can also get leads and collars online from Collars'R'Us. Look online for shows near you. Arena Print, Fosse Data, ECJ Print, Dog Show Central etc. You could also try some companion shows at Agricultural shows where you can enter on the day. Good luck and Welcome to K9 Community.
 
Hi All,
My name is Amy and I am the proud owner of a 6 year old whippet bitch. I 'acquired' her when I was working in Australia on a 2 year visa and brought her home to the UK with me. Luckily Australia is rabies free so she came in on a variation of the pet passport scheme. Much cheaper and less stressful than quarantine but still cost a bomb! She's definitely worth it though. After a few starts and stops we are finally getting started with agility and are ready to (try) to compete this summer. Not sure how successful we will be but we will definitely have fun! She's definitely got bags of athletic ability.

I have also decided I would like to get into conformation showing as well on the urging of a friend of mine who big into her horse showing. I've been to plenty of dog shows in my life but never paid enough attention. I'm going to attend a few of my local club's ringcraft classes so we are prepared technique wise. However, I have no idea if she is well put together. She is a little on the skinny side as getting her to eat enough is quite tricky and I have been having a few health problems recently so she hasn't been having the long walks we used to do last summer so has lost a little muscle tone. She is very healthy though and always ready to take part in whatever is going on. I think she's gorgeous and perfect (obviously) and people always tell me so but I need to find someone who can tell me if she is a good example of a whippet (especially since she's a foreigner - although her grandad is from the UK).

What I am trying to say is who do you think I should ask since I don't have her original breeder to consult? We live near Leamington Spa/Warwick.

Also I need to go buy a show lead and have no idea what size/type/colour I need! She is fawn brindle with white trim and black mask.

Thanks in advance and I hope everyone has a good long weekend!

Amy :)
Good luck with your showing Amy, what is your girls pedigree name.

Regards

Bill
 
Hi All,
My name is Amy and I am the proud owner of a 6 year old whippet bitch. I 'acquired' her when I was working in Australia on a 2 year visa and brought her home to the UK with me. Luckily Australia is rabies free so she came in on a variation of the pet passport scheme. Much cheaper and less stressful than quarantine but still cost a bomb! She's definitely worth it though. After a few starts and stops we are finally getting started with agility and are ready to (try) to compete this summer. Not sure how successful we will be but we will definitely have fun! She's definitely got bags of athletic ability.

I have also decided I would like to get into conformation showing as well on the urging of a friend of mine who big into her horse showing. I've been to plenty of dog shows in my life but never paid enough attention. I'm going to attend a few of my local club's ringcraft classes so we are prepared technique wise. However, I have no idea if she is well put together. She is a little on the skinny side as getting her to eat enough is quite tricky and I have been having a few health problems recently so she hasn't been having the long walks we used to do last summer so has lost a little muscle tone. She is very healthy though and always ready to take part in whatever is going on. I think she's gorgeous and perfect (obviously) and people always tell me so but I need to find someone who can tell me if she is a good example of a whippet (especially since she's a foreigner - although her grandad is from the UK).

What I am trying to say is who do you think I should ask since I don't have her original breeder to consult? We live near Leamington Spa/Warwick.

Also I need to go buy a show lead and have no idea what size/type/colour I need! She is fawn brindle with white trim and black mask.

Thanks in advance and I hope everyone has a good long weekend!

Amy :)

What a shame, you have just missed an ideal oppurtunity to go to one of your closest breed champ shows held at Ryton, yesterday.

Its hard really to say which you ought to do first but maybe go along to some open shows to see for yourself if its for you & your dog. Try to ask some breed people there, you will not be able to take your dog into the show but either take some photos along or maybe take her but leave her with someone in the car? Then if you think it may be an activity for you then go to the ringcraft, this will be when you can get/will need a basic showlead, nothing too expensive but there are many different types & not all will suit your dog.

Picking up on photos I mentioned earlier, maybe you could post some on here, it may give some of us a idea. Although showing is movement aswell, which plays a bigger part than just the stance of a dog.

Maybe I have misread your post but I am of course assuming you mean going to open shows(or above) & not Companion shows??
 
What a shame, you have just missed an ideal oppurtunity to go to one of your closest breed champ shows held at Ryton, yesterday.Its hard really to say which you ought to do first but maybe go along to some open shows to see for yourself if its for you & your dog. Try to ask some breed people there, you will not be able to take your dog into the show but either take some photos along or maybe take her but leave her with someone in the car? Then if you think it may be an activity for you then go to the ringcraft, this will be when you can get/will need a basic showlead, nothing too expensive but there are many different types & not all will suit your dog.

Picking up on photos I mentioned earlier, maybe you could post some on here, it may give some of us a idea. Although showing is movement aswell, which plays a bigger part than just the stance of a dog.

Maybe I have misread your post but I am of course assuming you mean going to open shows(or above) & not Companion shows??
Hiya,

I have been to plenty of shows before - a friend when I was at school had a German Spitz and I tagged along - all the way to Crufts so I have a rough idea of what I am letting myself in for. However, obviously the whippet scene is a little different!

I was thinking of having a go at a couple of open shows first and seeing how we go. I recently had a seizure (first one and fingers crossed the last) completely out of the blue and so cannot drive for a while. I have to rely on my (admittedly very patient) other half to drive me around so I have to be very choosy where I go. There is the Coventry and District Kennel Club show at Stoneleigh on the 20th May so I thought we could start there as it is not too far away (and coincidentally where my local ringcraft classes are held). Then if that goes according to plan the Midland Whippet Club are holding a champ show on the 24th June (according to the KC) so I thought we could give that a spin.

I shall attempt to get some photos today or tomorrow and would definitely appreciate your input. Thank You!
 
What a shame, you have just missed an ideal oppurtunity to go to one of your closest breed champ shows held at Ryton, yesterday.Its hard really to say which you ought to do first but maybe go along to some open shows to see for yourself if its for you & your dog. Try to ask some breed people there, you will not be able to take your dog into the show but either take some photos along or maybe take her but leave her with someone in the car? Then if you think it may be an activity for you then go to the ringcraft, this will be when you can get/will need a basic showlead, nothing too expensive but there are many different types & not all will suit your dog.

Picking up on photos I mentioned earlier, maybe you could post some on here, it may give some of us a idea. Although showing is movement aswell, which plays a bigger part than just the stance of a dog.

Maybe I have misread your post but I am of course assuming you mean going to open shows(or above) & not Companion shows??
Hiya,

I have been to plenty of shows before - a friend when I was at school had a German Spitz and I tagged along - all the way to Crufts so I have a rough idea of what I am letting myself in for. However, obviously the whippet scene is a little different!

I was thinking of having a go at a couple of open shows first and seeing how we go. I recently had a seizure (first one and fingers crossed the last) completely out of the blue and so cannot drive for a while. I have to rely on my (admittedly very patient) other half to drive me around so I have to be very choosy where I go. There is the Coventry and District Kennel Club show at Stoneleigh on the 20th May so I thought we could start there as it is not too far away (and coincidentally where my local ringcraft classes are held). Then if that goes according to plan the Midland Whippet Club are holding a champ show on the 24th June (according to the KC) so I thought we could give that a spin.

I shall attempt to get some photos today or tomorrow and would definitely appreciate your input. Thank You!
Oh what a shame you didn't post a couple of days earlier as literally the Whippet Club show yesterday was 20 minutes down the road from you (I stayed in Leamington Spa at the hotel overnight so have a good idea where you are). It would have been nice to have been able to meet some of us.

Welcome to the board. Definitely feel free to post pictures. And as you've said I would give some open shows a go - nothing to lose.

The National Whippet Association Champ show is at Stonleigh on the 6th May, so still quite close if you wanted to come along.

Wendy
 
Whoops - missed out on replying to a few so will address separately!

Tiger Lily - thanks for the advice :) will definitely check out those websites. And thanks for the welcome!

rag dog/Bill - Hello! She gets the posh but slightly dubious name of Oakside Ring of Fire - some people do snigger at it! One of her littermates was also named after a Johnny Cash song so I assume that is where the theme comes from. This is her brother from the same litter but for some reason her sire's parents are missing - This is grandad and grandma is here. Thanks for the good luck :) .

Chelynnah - oh no! That really is a shame. That would have been a perfect opportunity. I will def do my best to come on the 6th of May if anyone would be free to chat on the day. Will be taking some pics tomorrow (and attempting a video) so look out!

Thanks again to everyone for the warm welcome and encouragement - has made me much more enthusiastic about the whole idea!

Amy x

P.S here is a picture of her doing her favourite activity - sleeping in front of the fire: http://www.flickr.com/photos/76995902@N03/7057811213/
 
Oh what a shame you didn't post a couple of days earlier as literally the Whippet Club show yesterday was 20 minutes down the road from you (I stayed in Leamington Spa at the hotel overnight so have a good idea where you are). It would have been nice to have been able to meet some of us.
Welcome to the board. Definitely feel free to post pictures. And as you've said I would give some open shows a go - nothing to lose.

The National Whippet Association Champ show is at Stonleigh on the 6th May, so still quite close if you wanted to come along.

Wendy
Hello!

I have managed to get some photos. They aren't amazing - we definitely need some training on standing so will work on it. Absolutely pouring outside and the only place with flat ground nearby is the churchyard next door and there were some people paying their respects to a recently deceased relative - so I thought they wouldn't appreciate a woman and a whippet running up and down in front of a video camera! So no action shots.

Apologies for the PJ bottoms - its a bank holiday after all :p

Pup_Side_Small.jpg

Pup_Front_Small.jpg

Pup_Back_Small.jpg

Pup_Side_Small2.jpg

It is a bit strange that she stands so far apart behind since she trots with her back feet closer together . . .

I do appreciate your input.

Amy
 
Have sent you a reply to your pm...
 
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If that is a standard size doormat she is standing on, it suggests she is a bit big for showing here. The standard for whippet bitches is 18.5" at the withers and although there are plenty bigger than that, I think they mostly fit onto a doormat when stood. Whippet classes here are extremely competitive with about 20 in a class. I believe that in Australia you can make up a champion without ever meeting another specimen of your breed (or is that no longer the case?) but here, you not only have to win your class but beat all the other champions present on the day. However, you're in a good area for shows so why don't you enter some and see how she looks with the others? You only really know how your whippet compares with others when you compete at something.

Gay

www.moonlake.co.uk
 
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I believe that in Australia you can make up a champion without ever meeting another specimen of your breed (or is that no longer the case?) Gay

www.moonlake.co.uk
Only if you travel somewhere hundreds of miles into country :) City shows are quite competative; I have never been to a show that we were the only Whippet there. Usually the Whippet entry is about 30, while out annual specialty has been getting around 200 entries.

However, to show anywhere the dog has to be on main register with the local KC. Mustardly, do you have your girl's registration papers? I do not know the prefix Oakside; but going on the dogs in the pedigree they would be somewhere in Queensland.

To be able to show your girl in the UK you woulod have to have the registration papers in your name (orange certificate in Queensland, here in VIC it is blue, not sure about other states), you would have to be a financial member of the KC in that state and get an export certificate, which you would then use to register her in the UK.

As you do not seem to know her full pedigree, I am asuming you do not have the registration certificate, or you would know at least 3 generation ancestors. I will ask a friend whose dogs are in the pedigree if she knows more anout the Oakside prefix.
 
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To be able to show your girl in the UK you woulod have to have the registration papers in your name (orange certificate in Queensland, here in VIC it is blue, not sure about other states), you would have to be a financial member of the KC in that state and get an export certificate, which you would then use to register her in the UK. As you do not seem to know her full pedigree, I am asuming you do not have the registration certificate, or you would know at least 3 generation ancestors. I will ask a friend whose dogs are in the pedigree if she knows more anout the Oakside prefix.
Hi Seraphina,

Yes she is all fully registered with the KC - I have her full pedigree as stated above. Just for some reason on the Whippet Archives pages her sire's records are incomplete. I don't know about being a financial member but I just applied for the Export Pedigree after I had left. It did take a while to sort as they returned a pedigree for a Giant Schnauzer in the first instance! But eventually the right one did arrive.

She was bred out 'in the sticks' by a lady called Sue Barnes who lives in Goondiwindi in the very south of Queensland. I must admit I never met her parents as I bought her from a pet shop! I know, I hear you all gasp. The whole litter was there in the daytime and went home to be with Mum at night. I saw the litter every day for two weeks as I was looking after some polo horses for a guy who had had to go away for work. He'd paid for my hotel and lent me his car so apart from an hour or two exercising the horses I was at a loose end. I spent a lot of time on the saddlery/pet shop ordering stuff to replace his alarmingly worn tack and spent a lot of time playing with the pups so I knew they were well adjusted. A quick check with the vets confirmed they had been well looked after. :)

I have rather lucked out as she has turned into the dog of a life time. Good thing as it cost a bomb to bring her over! But that was always the plan from the get go although I had plenty of people offer to keep her. Consensus seems to be that she is ok but nothing special confirmation wise :p . This is fine by me considering I got her as she had a good temperament with other considerations second.

I was looking at getting a whippet before the opportunity to go and work in Australia appeared but I had been dithering as I was not sure they were the dog for me. I always wondered if they would be trainable enough for agility or obedience? Obviously they are - as long as you take the right approach! I am now of the opinion that anyone can train a collie but teaching a sighthound to do something that doesn't come naturally really does take talent and patience. I have had a flatcoat, terriers and smooth collies previously but all had come to us as dogs in urgent need of a home. I have also worked in a couple of dog rescues with breeds of all kinds and many crosses inbetween. Since I have had her I have been planning my second dog ( I spend as much time on the 'fantasy' dog purchase as my other half spends looking at car ads) and I keep finding myself coming back to whippets. I think we shall attend a few open shows and 'have a go' and get a feel for the whole thing and see if it is for us. Hopefully I can meet some of you guys along the way and find someone who can help me make a more considered decision on a puppy next time!

Thanks for all your help - I am definitely interested in what anyone can tell me about the Oakside kennel - I get the feeling this may be the only litter she has bred.

P.S Moonlake (Gay) - that is an IKEA doormat so pretty tiny (but very cheap and work as great 'islands' on a very slippy laminate floor!) - she has recently measured 'just' large as an agility dog so 18/19 inches I think. Whenever we meet whippets out she seems to be on the small side! That might just be because they are all big boys :)
 
Yes, Queensland KC is bit different from the other states, which require people to be financial members before they can have a dog on main register in their name :)

If you tell me who are the parents of Floyd, I will put it for you on TWA. I entered your girl Oakside Ring of Fire.
 
Yes she is all fully registered with the KC - I have her full pedigree as stated above. Just for some reason on the Whippet Archives pages her sire's records are incomplete.
Sorry, but no you do not have her full pedigree up above :) the grandsire link goes to Oakside Blue Boy who is your girl's brother, and I only just realised the other link does go to the grandmother, so I fixed that in TWA.
 
Yes she is all fully registered with the KC - I have her full pedigree as stated above. Just for some reason on the Whippet Archives pages her sire's records are incomplete.
Sorry, but no you do not have her full pedigree up above :) the grandsire link goes to Oakside Blue Boy who is your girl's brother, and I only just realised the other link does go to the grandmother, so I fixed that in TWA.
Hi Seraphina,

Apologies - my mistake, did mean to post her grandsire - here he is: http://thewhippetarchives.net/details.php?id=23161 - that's why I should check my posts more thoroughly!
 
No problem :) it did not help that I clicked 2x on the grandfather link instead of looking at the grandmother. I have updated her the pedigree. Oakside Ring of Fire

The grandparents are very oldfashioned Australian types, they are lot finer than present Whippets who have lot more heavy bone and deeper stronger chest. From what I see in the photos you posted, and looking at her ancestors, I think you may find it difficult to compete in the ring with her.
 
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Well spotted Macha, Bandit definitely came from that litter :)
 

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