With all that wonderful weather in Florida, our dog racing and whippet racing schedule kicks into high gear right at the start of the year.  The meets are sanctioned by the National Oval Track Racing Association and hosted by Southern Most Sighthounds, or SOMOS for short.  At over 300 yards, each race is as exciting for you humans as it is for us sighthounds.

Jacksonville, Florida – Jacksonville is a wonderful place to visit and to race.  The track is fast, and our hosting group, the Southern Most Sighthounds (SOMOS), always puts on a good show.  Here are their spring dog racing dates.

• February 13 & 14, 2010 – (oval) Jacksonville, Florida
• February 27 & 28, 2010 – (oval) Jacksonville, Florida
• March 20 & 21, 2010 – (oval) Jacksonville, Florida
• April 3 & 4, 2010 – (oval) Jacksonville, Florida

Feeling the Need for Speed…..

- Tristan the Whippet

It takes a while for dog racing to get going on the East Coast, but when they do, it is lots of fun.  After a long winter of lying around and enjoying those holiday treats, most of us racing dogs and sighthounds are ready to get back to dog racing.  Here are the spring events in the East.

New Jersey Racing – The Jersey Rag Racers Whippet Association and Count Basie Racing Association sponsor fun oval track meets.  Here are their spring dates.

• April 11, 2010 – (oval) in Pennsville, NJ
• April 25, 2010 – (oval) in Ringoes, NJ

New York State Racing – The Central Leatherstocking Area Sighthound Society, or CLASS as they like to be called, are hosts for sprint whippet racing in the Empire State.  Here is their spring date.

• April 17, 2010 – (sprint) in Starkville, NY

Pennsylvania Racing – In the Keystone State, the Lehigh Valley Coursing Club invites racers to Harleysville for an exciting day of dog racing in May.

• May 1, 2010 – (oval) in Harleysville, PA

Keep your paws, I mean fingers, crossed that we have fast, safe tracks for these East Coast dog races.

Feeling the Need for Speed,

- Tristan the Whippet

After a long winter of lying around and enjoying those holiday treats, it’s time to get back to dog racing and whippet racing.  All we racing dogs and sighthounds are very excited and looking forward to that first dash after the lure.  Here is what is happening for dog racing across the Midwest.

Illinois / Indiana – Between the Chicago and St. Louis areas, the central part of the U.S. is well represented with sighthound clubs.  Near Chicago, dog races are hosted by the Delphi Racers.  Also in this region are the Greater St. Louis Whippet Club, the Show-Me Whippet Club and the Circle City Rag Racers.  Here is their spring dog racing schedule.  

• April 10, 2010 – (oval) in Dorsey, IL (GSLWC)
• April 11, 2010 – (oval) in Dorsey, IL (SMWC)
• April 18, 2010 – (oval) in Knightstown, IN
• April 24, 2010 – (sprint) in Gardner, IL
• April 25, 2010 – (sprint) in Gardner, IL

Texas – Dog racing season starts early in Texas, and both the Whippet Appreciation Society In Texas and the North Texas Whippet Club put on a fine meet.  Here are their spring dates.

• February 13, 2010 – (sprint) in Celina, TX
• February 14, 2010 – (oval) in Celina, TX
• March 27, 2010 – (sprint) in Celina, TX
• March 28, 2010 – (oval) in Celina, TX
• April 24, 2010 – (sprint) in Celina, TX
• April 25, 2010 – (oval) in Celina, TX

Texas is a big state, and we whippets always have big hopes for fast dog races and fun times.  Hope to see you there.

Feeling the Need for Speed,

- Tristan the Whippet

Thanks to all that rain, the Pacific Northwest is a wonderful place for us racing dogs to run and compete.  The track is soft, so we can really let out the speed.  We even get to watch our families fiddle with their passports as they travel into Canada.  Here is what is happening up there regarding dog racing and whippet racing.

British Columbia – Dog racing north of the U.S. border is plenty of fun.  The Vancouver Island Whippet Association does a great job of hosting meets.  In August of 2010, the British Columbia Whippet Racing Club will host the NAWRA national meet in Squamish, B.C.  I’ll have more on that later.  Here are spring dates for British Columbia whippet races.

• March 6, 2010 – (sprint) in Cobble Hill, British Columbia
• April 10, 2010 – (oval) in Cobble Hill, British Columbia

Washington State – Clubs in Washington State hosted the 2009 NARWA national meet and did a bang up job.  I thoroughly enjoyed myself.  The two clubs with spring dog racing dates are Olympia Racing and Coursing Club and Whippet Racing Activity Group.  Here are their spring dates:

• March 13, 2010 – (sprint) in Centralia, WA
• March 14, 2010 – (oval) in Centralia, WA
• April 17, 2010 – (oval) in Goldendale, WA
• April 18, 2010 – (oval) in Goldendale, WA

Oregon – Dog racing in Oregon is run just south of Portland and frequently hosted by the Washington Whippet Racing Association.  There will be whippet racing both sprint and oval track over one weekend this spring.  Those dates are:

• March 20, 2010 – (sprint) in Beavercreek, OR
• March 21, 2010 – (oval) in Molalla, OR

With plenty of rain, the grass should be perfect for wonderful, fast dog racing.  Hope to see you at a meet.

- Tristan the Whippet

After a long winter of lying around and enjoying those holiday treats, it’s time to get back to dog racing and more specifically, whippet racing.  All we racing dog and sighthounds are very excited and looking forward to that first dash after the lure.  Here is what is happening out West.

Northern California – The Northern California Whippet Club and the River City Racing Association host their whippet racing meets in Sacramento, typically featuring sprint racing on Saturday and oval track on Sundays.  Here are the dates.

• March 6, 2010 – (sprint) in Sacramento, CA
• March 7, 2010 – (oval) in Sacramento, CA
• March 20, 2010 – (sprint) in Sacramento, CA
• March 21, 2010 – (oval) in Sacramento, CA
• April 10, 2010 – (sprint) in Sacramento, CA

Southern California – Racing in Orange and Brea, California, the Southern California Whippet Association and the Great Western Whippet Association also have both sprint and oval track whippet racing. Here are their dates.

• February 7, 2010 – (sprint) in Orange, CA
• February 27, 2010 – (sprint) in Orange, CA
• February 28, 2010 – (oval) in Brea, CA
• March 13, 2010 – (sprint) in Orange, CA
• March 14, 2010 – (oval) in Brea, CA

Southwest Region – Dog racing in the great Southwest kicks off in March with races sponsored by the Albuquerque Whippet Fanciers Association and the Reata Whippet Racing Group in Riverton, Utah.  The River City Racing Association is coming from Sacramento to host a very special sprint race in conjunction with the American Whippet Club event in Tucson.  Here are their dates for the dog races.

• March 6, 2010 – (oval) in Mountainair, NM
• March 7, 2010 – (oval) in Mountainair, NM
• April 17, 2010 – (sprint) in Tucson, AZ, with the American Whippet Club event
• April 25, 2010 – (oval) in Riverton, UT

With plenty of rain, the grass should be perfect for wonderful, fast whippet racing.  Hope to see you at a meet.

Feeling the Need for Speed,

- Tristan the Whippet

Hi, this is Tristan the Whippet.  I’ve been whippet racing all my life and truly love it.  If you are unfamiliar with amateur dog racing, let me tell you a little about it.

For starters, a racing dog is generally called a sighthound, or sometimes gazehound.  Racing dogs are called this because in the wild we hunt by keeping our prey in view, as opposed to dogs like bloodhounds who follow a scent.  Great speed and agility are required to hunt this way, so we have a flexible back, strong shoulders and hindquarters and a deep chest.  Think of us as the sprinters of the dog racing world.

These attributes make us an excellent racing dog.  I’m honored to say that whippets, like me, are second to greyhounds as the fastest dogs on Earth.  Also included among sighthounds are Afghan hounds,  Basenji, Borzoi, Ibizan hounds, Irish wolfhounds, Italian greyhounds, Magyar agar, Pharaoh hounds, Rhodesian ridgeback, Saluki and Scottish deerhounds.

Let’s get one things straight about whippet racing.  We race for sport, for the love of the chase.  There is no betting, and the vast majority of us dogs are family members.  Think of us as teenagers involved in track and field.  It is all about winning ribbons and titles for the family.  In case you are wondering, I was awarded the title Race Champion by the North American Whippet Racing Association, or NAWRA, in 2008 and tied for 12^th place nationally in 2009.

We organize under several national racing organizations and many local clubs.  The primary whippet groups are NAWRA, the Whippet Racing Association and Continental Whippet Alliance.  The Large Gazehound Racing Association is for non-whippet sighthounds.  These dog racing organizations promote straight track or sprint racing.  The National Oval Track Racing Association, NOTRA, sponsors somewhat longer races on an oval track.

These dog racing national organizations are supported by a network of local clubs and associations that host race meets and encourage the growth and improvement of fun, safe, fair and competitive dog racing in the U.S and Canada.

Another competition is called lure coursing.  While I must admit that I don’t compete in lure coursing, it is an exciting sport to watch.  In this type of dog racing, dogs chase the lure over a zigzag course and winner is chosen based on a combination of time and points.  The primary sponsoring organizations are the American Sighthound Field Association as well as the American and Canadian Kennel Clubs.

There you have a primer on my fun, exciting sport.  CLICK HERE for information on race meets in your area.  I’d love to see you at a meet.

Feeling the Need for Speed,

- Tristan the Whippet

The whippet breed is a member of the hound family, and countless owners agree that the whippet is one of the most beautiful and graceful dog breeds. Whether at rest or running full throttle, the aerodynamic whippet is built for speed. Its short coat requires minimum grooming, and the whippet is gentle, kind, affectionate, and quiet, making this breed an ideal family pet and companion…even if you have fun with weekend racing. Here are 7 characteristics of the whippet you may or may not have known:

1.) WHIPPET ORIGINS – Many have differing opinions of the origin of the whippet breed. In the mid 19th century in the industrialized areas of Northern England, there existed a canine breed resembling a smaller greyhound, demonstrating traces of Italian greyhound or terrier. It is believed that the breed we are familiar with today is a result of many crosses between greyhounds (selected for speed and strength) and certain terriers (selected for courage & game hunting abilities).

2.) BREED DEVELOPMENT – Whippets originally bred for racing and hunting had a higher degree of terrier blood, giving them added strength and tenacity, while those whippets kept strictly as pets or for visual appearance showed more Italian greyhound influence, used to give greater refinement and reduce size. Because of the numerous cross breeding practices over time, this explains why the breed demonstrates a sturdy hound breed with few hereditary issues.

3.) WHIPPET RACING – In the smaller towns of Northern England, whippets were raced through the narrow streets and in fields and meadows on weekends, giving owners great pride in their racing ability. Over time, the breed received the name “poor man’s race horse.” Such increasing popularity of the whippet created a decline in the use of the breed for hunting, and a greater focus on racing. Whippets were known as “straight racers” because they raced in straight alleyways and in between rows of houses.

4.) PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS – Weighing on average from 27-31lbs. (12.5-14kg), the average whippet is a balanced combination of strength and muscular power, also coupled with grace and elegance. Whippets have relatively thin skin and get cold easily, which is why they don’t like to get wet.  Whippets tend to carry their tails between their legs (except when walking or playing) because the curve of the tail follows their natural curved spine. Despite their fragile appearance, whippets are surprisingly strong, not typically prone to illness, and are not typically susceptible to hip issues.

5.) WHIPPETS AS PETS – As domestic pets, whippets are clean, and can be easily housebroken and trained. Whippets are remarkable watchdogs and surprisingly rarely bark, which is important with neighbors close by or little children in the home. Whippets are basically indoor dogs and require nothing more than a warm blanket or bed to curl up.

6.) MATERNITY – The female whippet is usually an excellent mother, taking great care in protecting her litter. They have been known to birth up to 10 pups, although the average litter is around 5 or 6 pups. The puppies look much like other pups when born but begin to really look like a whippet around 6 weeks.

7.) WHIPPETS IN THE UNITED STATES – Prior to 1900, British-born New England residents introduced to the United States. Since its recognition by the American Kennel Club in the early 1930′s, the whippet has gradually increased in popularity.

There are conflicting opinions regarding the origin of the Greyhound, from the Celts who believed that they came from Greece, to the Romans who believed that they came from Gaul (in Western Europe), with many varying opinions in between.

There are ancient pictures which date back to 6000BC in the city of Catal-Huyuk in present-day Turkey, depicting dogs very similar in type to Greyhounds. Pictures from 4000BC found on a funery vase in Iran also depict Greyhound-like dogs which suggest that these dogs were held in the highest regard. Ancient artists tended only to depict images of religious or social importance.

Appearance

Greyhounds have an extremely elegant and graceful appearance; slender but also strong. They are propelled by extremely strong hindquarters; when they run it appears effortless and truly beautiful.

It is a pleasure to watch these dogs race, with their long neck and face set on their long, slender frame.  Greyhounds come in a massive variety of colors; Black, red, white, blue, fawn, fallow, brindle or any of these colors broken up with white.

Temperament

Despite what most people think, these dogs can be real couch potatoes! Although they are capable of short bursts of speeds of up to 64km/hr, they are not blessed with great amounts of endurance, so love to get home after walks and sleep it off!

They are great family pets; kind and gentle with their families and very affectionate. They may be a little aloof with strangers, but never nasty.

However, their history must be remembered; they were bred to course and race and therefore have tendencies to chase and catch small things; this can include smaller dogs, cats and other small pets. They must be very carefully socialized with smaller dogs and extreme care should be taken around cats.

Grooming

With their short coats, they will only require a very minimal amount of time spent on grooming.

Exercise

Two 20-minute walks a day is ample for these dogs – they particularly enjoy getting home to relax after their walks!! Real care should be taken with allowing these dogs off lead – unless they are EXTREMELY well trained, they are liable to run off and chase any small thing that moves – and at 64km/h, there is no chance you’ll be able to catch them!!

Health Problems

Greyhounds can be prone to injury when expelling their pent up energy! They don’t really suffer from any genetic diseases; they can be a little sensitive to drugs although vets should be aware of this if treating them.

Dog chewing is a natural tendency for Jack Russell Terriers, and shouldn’t be curtailed or discouraged, but rather channeled appropriately. Dogs do not intentionally destroy your stuff in anger or spite, but rather as means to move or transport things (similar to how we use our hands) and to entertain themselves. They also use their mouths for communicating, which is especially important for training a Jack Russell Terrier. Dog chewing therefore is a natural behavior and you cannot train them to completely stop chewing. The following steps will help both you and your little puppy live together in harmony:

1.) Keep Your Stuff Out of Reach - It is best to train your jack russell terrier what they can and cannot chew. That being said, be sure to move your belongings out of your dog’s reach, including clothes, shoes, books, and anything else you don’t want destroyed (except maybe your homework….then you can really say your dog ate your homework).

2. Give Your Dog Proper Chew Toys - Don’t give your dog old shoes, clothes, or even plastic bottles or other rubbish to chew. They can’t tell the difference between old and new stuff, so unless you want them rummaging through your closet or garbage for a chew toy, stick to regular dog toys, which can also include items from a sporting goods store (tennis ball, other kinds of balls, etc.) or even small stuffed animals. The best deals are at your local Salvation Army, where you can usually find an entire bag of stuffed animals for a few bucks, vs. $7 for a single toy at your local pet store. Just be sure to remove any small plastic features on such toys (plastic eyes, nose, etc.)

3. Dogs Like Variety - Just like we don’t like playing the same game every day or eating the same meal day in and day out, it is important to give your Jack Russell Terrier variety so they don’t get bored and look for other “more interesting” things to chew like your sofa or new slippers. If your dog is fond of your scent, leave a toy in your dirty hamper for a day to get your scent, or fill a chew toy (like a Kong) with peanut butter to keep them interested for hours. This will help keep his attention diverted from chewing things he shouldn’t.

4.) Proper Daily Exercise - Similar to other behavior problems, the desire to chew can be reduced with regular exercise. Dogs which are mentally and physically stimulated are not as likely to get bored and go looking for your new silk shirt lying on your bed.

5.) Obedience & Reinforcement Training - There are certain programs on the market which help with dog obedience issues like dog chewing. Having a Jack Russell Terrier myself, I know they can have their own agenda and sometimes be “too smart for their own good.” Don’t be afraid to try proven and affordable programs like Clicker Training, which is a harmless correctional method to let your dog know he is in the right or wrong, and has an issue like dog chewing which needs correcting. This is a much more loving approach than yelling, hitting, or “time out” and your dog will appreciate understanding the rules so you both can live harmoniously under the same roof.

For More Information on curbing issues such as dog chewing using Clicker Training and the Proven Methodologies, CLICK HERE.