Whippet Club

The Whippet Club – 05.04.25

I would like to thank The Whippet Club for inviting me to judge the Special Award classes at their championship show. It was an enjoyable day and I was delighted with an entry of 30 whippets. Thank you to all the exhibitors for giving me the opportunity to go over your dogs. The overall quality across the classes was good, which made for some difficult decisions. There were some that exhibited some unusual gaits, but I was very happy with my final placings, especially the top four winners. The ring was a lovely size, allowing the dogs to move freely and making it easier for me to assess movement properly. A special thank you to my excellent steward, whose support helped the ring run smoothly. 

Special Award Classes 

Yearling (11, 2a)

1. Lister & Swarbrick’s Edenwhip Ima Bright Star. 8-month-old fawn and white bitch. Eye-catching young bitch with a beautiful, feminine presence. Shows early promise with a balanced mix of strength and elegance. Lovely, flowing outline. Head long and clean with slight stop and tapering muzzle. Bright, oval eyes and neat rose-shaped ears. Complete scissor bite. Neck long, strong, and nicely arched. Good shoulder placement. Chest deep and well filled with spring of rib. Strong loin with graceful arch. Hindquarters powerful, with broad thighs and well-developed second thigh. Stifles well bent and hocks well let down. Good feet, well split between the toes. Her profile movement and outline gave her the edge today. Still young and more maturing to do but is already very promising. 

2. Cahill & Timberlake’s Ardencote Dance A Dream at Chipperlake. 13-month-old fawn and white bitch. One I judged as a puppy and still admire. Elegant outline with a pleasing, balanced frame. Lovely head with good ears and correct scissor bite. Neck flows cleanly into well-laid shoulders. Gentle and arched topline and nicely muscled rear. Good depth of chest and front fill. Good rear angulation. Moved well in all directions. Still has some maturing to do but she is also promising. 

Open (19, 3a)

1. Blake’s Silkridge in A Moment at Mazargo ShCEx. 4-year-old brindle bitch. Lovely outline and not as flashy as others but very correct and honest. Classic whippet outline with strength and grace. Head long and refined, slight stop and tapering to muzzle. Eyes bright and alert, ears well set. Jaws strong with a correct scissor bite. Neck long and arched, flowing into good shoulders and return of upper arm. Deep chest and well-filled front. Strong back with slight rise over the loin. Ribs well sprung. Lovely width through thighs and second thighs. Rear is well angulated without exaggeration. Firm hocks and strong pasterns. Stands over ground with ease. Neat feet. Moved out well in all directions.

2. Johnston & Wilson’s Danluke Drag On A Dime JW. 4-year-old brindle. Very close decision between these two beautiful bitches. Beautiful head and good outline. Nice head and tapering to muzzle with slight stop. Eyes oval, bright and expressive. Neat ears and strong jaw with correct bite. Neck well arched into clean shoulders and good upper arm. Strong pasterns and deep chest with plenty of heart room. Broad, muscled back and correct rise over loin. Ribs well sprung. Rear quarters are broad and powerful with well-developed second thigh. Hocks low, feet tidy. Moves freely in all directions. Slightly more rear angulation than I would prefer but overall a quality bitch with much to admire.