My involvement with dogs has been life-long. My father trained and raced Greyhounds for the open hare coursing as well as the race track. Being an outdoor family we were forever going fishing and hunting, hence a gundog was always part of our lives. Labradors & GSP's were the preferred breeds for shooting over and our first Labrador a rich golden red male (this colour rarely seen these days) instigated my interest in the world of dog showing.

My interest in Whippets began after seeing them at a local show. I decided then and there that this breed, being so similar to the Greyhound but on a much smaller scale, was to be part of my life. At that time there were very few Whippets being exhibited and a breeder of note that I will always remember was Mrs Dot Stewart of 'Rosiel Kennels' fame. 'Dotty' to her friends and fellow exhibitors was a fierce competitor, at the same time always willing to impart her years of knowledge of breeding Whippets to those interested. In the next few years my young family kept me busy with their horses and motor bikes so breeding Whippets was not my first priority.

According to all the doyens of the breed it was imperative that to breed good type you should have a well established line to commence your breeding program. My next decision was to source out a suitable and a well established line to breed from. In my mind the most established and influential kennel in Australia at the time was that of Mr B Doherty & T Crowley's 'Martinique Kennels'. I approached Terry Crowley and after some time a bitch was suggested of Martinique lines, but bred by Shalique Kennels in Queensland . A gorgeous rich red fawn Shalique Sly Reflection 'Tess' arrived at 5 months of age and quickly attained her Australian title and then her New Zealand title in the hands of Brian and Sandy Wilson of Noholme Whippets and the rest is history.

Over the years I have been most fortunate to be involved in establishing The Whippet Assoc. of Victoria Inc., and have the honour of being the first Honorary Life Member of the club. From tardy beginnings the association has become the leading breed specialty club in Australia and conduct the most prestigious Specialty Show in our country. In 2004 our association conducted a World Whippet Congress and the first Whippet National to be held in the country an event that the executive and committee are extremely proud.

My interest in this breed has taken me overseas. I have attended the USA the 1st World Congress, to Exeter in the UK the 2nd World Congress, to the World Show, Whippet Congress & Sighthound Show in Stockholm, Sweden in 2008.

The most memorable and exciting moment was at the Whippet Specialty at the beautiful Kragga Mansion in Sweden. The judges were Mrs M Lowe (UK) (Nimrodel) and Miss Claire Newcombe (USA) Pennyworth Whippets. I handled for my friend Ms Jutta Breidenbach, only because Jutta was so nervous mind you, the beautiful GER. CH. JEE BEE’S A NEW GOLD DREAM ‘Goldie’ to BEST IN SHOW. Such a gorgeous whippet I would have given anything to tuck her under my arms and bring her back to Australia.

Ger Ch Jee Bee's A New Gold Dream and myself.

I was most privileged to attend this year the biggest dog show in the world Crufts 2009 and handle again the lovely ‘Goldie’ an experience and event that one only dreams about. In the one exhibition area alone there were over 400 whippets entered on the day, truly mind blowing and to be side by side of some really exquisite whippets. Mr dear friend Mr Roger Stock taking the accolades with he and Patsy Gilmour’s homebred bitch CH COURTHILL CAST A SHADOW ‘ Esme’.

I have been most fortunate to meet many, many wonderful whippet folk throughout the world and their lovely dogs.

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