I got my first whippet from my mother in 1971 at the age of 12 and fell in love with the breed forever on. I got my next chance to own a whippet many years later in 1986 from the late Marti Bradford of Martigra Hounds.

Martigra's Robnoxious, "Robbie" was my first soul mate. He went every where and did everything with me. Robbie moved to three different states with me and never cared where he was as long as it was with me. He retired from the show ring with 15 points and one major and sired my first whippet litter. Robbie lived to a good age of fifteen and a half years.

I bred Robbie to a bitch I acquired that was bred by Barbara Pendergrass of Rafina Hounds. That breeding in 1990 produced six puppies, three girls and three boys. At the time I was more into lure coursing than conformation showing, five of the puppies obtained their ASFA Field Championship and AKC Senior Courser titles. Two of the puppies also had points towards their bench championship. This ended up being a learning litter that taught me much.

My next litter was out of a male from my first litter, Elain-Ward's SilverShadow Rolls, SC, F.CH. "Royce" and a bitch that I purchased from Shelley Hennessy of Chaparral Hounds, Chaparral Genuine Risk, "Jenny". Jenny was out of Am. Can. CH. Sportingfield's Kinsman, ROMX, BIS, BISS and Multi group placing CH. Chaparral Corazon, CDX, LCM, TT, OA, OAJ. This breeding produced my very first home bred whippet champion, CH. Elain-Ward's Ruby O' Martigra and Best In Show winning (Costa Rican), Int. CH. Elain-Ward's Topaz, "Buddha". Buddha resides in Costa Rica and went on to win many groups and Best In Shows.

Since that time I have bred 7 litters, added four more champions and have more pointed kids on their way towards their championship. I have fourth generation of my very first breeding, and they're 2 years old at the time of this writing. Royce passed on to the Rainbow bridge at 16 1/2 years of age followed 9 months later by Jenny at 16 years of age. Time has a way of getting away from us, but I will continue to strive for the best in temperament, conformation and intelligence in my whippets.

Thanks for spending some time with us.

Julie A. Konwent, CMG
(certified master groomer)
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