Linda was introduced to the breed in the 1960’s, through the friendship of a neighbour, Geri MacLurg, who had two whippets. We are grateful to Bill and Alice Turpin, and "Grandpa" and "Granny" Turpin (Of Course Whippets), and many other BC and Pacific NW breeders who so willingly gave of their time and knowledge in conformation, obedience and racing to a most eager-to-learn teenager. Linda won many top honors in Junior Showmanship including the BC Provincial Championships three times, finished several champions as a Junior including a Best in Specialty and Hound Group wins, as well as a High In Trial award with the first Whippet she trained in Obedience. The whippets of Marial (Doug and Mary Beth Arthur - our mentors) and Surrey Hill (Karen Lee) have greatly contributed to, and influenced, our breeding program.
Linda's first Whippet was Ch. Whisky Frisky of Course, a gift from the Turpin family in 1970. "Frisky" finished in the ring and had one litter, producing Swiftsure's first two champions.
The serious beginning of Swiftsure was in 1972, when Linda was given a puppy from Of Course out of two of her favorite dogs – the superb athlete, Ch. Emberson of Course, ARM and Doris Ringer's beautiful Ch. Bardon Faded Finery. This puppy became our foundation bitch - Ch. Ringo’s Sonny Daze of Course, Am.Can.F.Ch.. In 1975, through the generosity of the Arthurs, we obtained the remarkable Am.Can.Ch. Marial’s King Arthur, Am.Can.CD,ROM, an outstanding producer of show and race champions. "Daisy" and "Arthur" produced our SBIS Ch. Swiftsure Happy Daze, ARM, Am.Can.FCh., also a wonderful sire of dual purpose whippets, who in turn sired the incomparable "Gilly" - our multi Best in Show and Best in Specialty winning Am.Can.Ch. Swiftsure Out of Africa . Gilly is behind nearly all of the Swiftsure Whippets.
Steve joined Linda and three whippets in 1975 and we soon moved to our current home on five park-like acres for the whippets to enjoy.
We've been active in all whippet activities throughout the years:
* Junior Showmanship - Linda was one of the top Junior Handlers in Canada
* Obedience (several CD's and a High Score in Trial);
* Racing (meeting winning ARM’s/ARX's);
* Oval Racing (meeting winning ORC’s and pointed dogs);
* Lure Coursing (Top 10 coursers with Best
in Fields in both
Canada and the US)
* Showing (All-Breed Best in Shows, National Specialty BIS and many Specialty BIS).
Our main focus now is showing, lure coursing, and, most recently, we've returned to the race track, participating in, and hosting, CWA Racing. We are a small scale breeder - our 2006 litter was our first litter in ten years. Our current whippet family numbers five and these dogs remain with us throughout their lives. All our dogs are entirely house dogs and treasured members of our family.
Linda is a Founding Member and currently President of the National Whippet Club of Canada, having held the positions of President (twice), Vice President, Newsletter Editor, Secretary and BC Director; a Founding member, former Newsletter Editor and former Secretary of the Canadian Sighthound Field Association; Vice President, Director and former Newsletter Editor for the Continental Whippet Association. Local club affiliations include a Founding Member and Secretary of the Lower Mainland Whippet Association; and a Founding Member of our CWA race group, Racing For Fun. We are American Whippet Club members and Life Members of the Canadian Kennel Club. Steve is one of Canada's first lure coursing judges and has been judging for over 30 years. Linda has been honoured to have judged sweepstakes at American Specialty shows and the Canadian National Specialty show.
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