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14th October 2018

 

Chairman’s synopsis of the Whippet Breed Council meeting held on 14th October 2018.
Only one breed club out of eleven was unrepresented at the meeting, (due to extreme weather in their own area) so we had excellent attendance once again. It is wonderful to see both the enthusiasm and commitment of the Breed Council moving forward.
We began by holding a minutes silence in memory of Nev Newton who had passed away a few days before the meeting and a mere 6 months after his wife Edith. Our sympathies to Editha Newton and family on the loss of both of her parents in so short a time. They will both be missed by many of us.
The Breed Council had received a letter of complaint regarding unsporting behaviour and unpleasant comments on social media at, and after a recent European dog show. The Breed Council has no disciplinary authority, but there was much discussion on this unpleasant side of the dog world and the council agreed that it would like the Chairman to release a statement reminding judges, exhibitors and spectators of the codes of best practice and of the standards of behaviour and sportsmanship expected by both the Whippet Breed Council and the Kennel Club, both at home and abroad. You will find this elsewhere on the Web site and Facebook pages.
The Breed Council’s web site and Facebook pages are serving as a useful enlightening tool for both communicating and dissemination of information. Both ‘webmasters’ have been updating the sites with relevant material promptly. Well done to both Russell and Mark! The only way we can keep the lines of communication open to all whippet owners is to have a forum that they can access easily, where breed information can be posted. Please feel free to ‘share’ so that the message is spread.
The Breed Education Coordinator has been very busy with informing and educating judges, mentors and speakers regarding the JCF. If you are unsure about anything to do with the new system or where you fit into it, please contact Pam Marston-Pollock by email on whippeteducation@gmail.com. Pam is both prompt and helpful, and her role is there to assist us all in this transition.
There had been discussion previously regarding the possibility of a ‘Whippet Themed Lunch’ at the Kennel Club in Clarges Street, London. This would allow those attending to see around the Kennel Club building, library etc. but in particular the opportunity to see works of art, books and other breed specific items which may not normally be on display to the public. Why not come along and enjoy a splendid lunch with other like-minded whippet people. Wednesday 6th February is the date that was set. The themed lunch is open to anyone who wishes to attend. There is no requirement to be a member of the Kennel Club. If you are interested in attending, contact the Secretary Mr Russell Sykes. The cost, including the lunch, is expected to be £37.50 which includes tea/coffee on arrival, pre-lunch drink, 3 course lunch with wine, a glass of bubbly, coffee and chocolates. A guided tour of both the library and the gallery tailored to the whippets. A day not to be missed!
Miss Fiona Mycroft and a colleague shared an excellent presentation on their ideas for holding a special event named UK WHIPPET SPECIALITY – this would be a new Whippet Of The Year event. Various ideas were suggested for this event and I’m sure that Fiona would appreciate your input, suggestions and support. She has compiled a ‘survey’ to see what sort of support there would be for an event like this and you will find the link on both the Website and Facebook pages.
Breed Health Co-ordinator Jo Whitehead updated the meeting on current Health topics. Jo told us that in the first quarter of 2019 she will have to submit any relevant whippet specific data that she has to the Kennel Club for their new Breed Conservation project. The Breed Health Co-ordinator role is a big one, and Jo will be appointing a sub-committee to assist her.
But the real highlight of the day was regarding the Breed Council’s application to alter the whippet breed standard. The Secretary Mr Russell Sykes read out an email from the Kennel Club regarding the change. The application had been successful and the whippet breed standard will be changed from: “Colour: Any colour or mixture of colours” TO “Colour: Any colour or mixture of colours, except merle”. Very good news for those wishing to protect both the purity and health of the pure-bred whippet. The amendment to the standard will be published in the December 2018 issue of the Kennel Club journal, and the Kennel Clubs website will be updated from 1ST December 2018. The FCI will also be notified by the Kennel Club and requested to return the FCI standard back to the UK version along with the amendment.
Finally, at close of business, the date of the next meeting, which includes the Annual Meeting was agreed as Sunday 27th January 2019 – the ANNUAL meeting will be followed by a Full Breed Council meeting. The venue is not set as yet but will be in the Coventry area.
Once again, the Breed Council is delighted to invite anyone who would like to attend a council meeting, simply contact Russell Sykes and he will ensure that you have all the details in advance of the meeting.

We hope to see you soon.

Ann Beckett-Bradshaw

10th September 2018

To answer queries regarding the JCF judges system.

 The JCF will commence for Whippets on 1st January,2019.

Clubs may begin to hold Breed Awareness Days which includes the Multiple Choice Exam. These days are run by Breed Clubs,notifications forms having been sent to the BEC and KC. The BEC assists the Club(s) involved and issues the exam paper (which is confidential)for that day. Once the candidate has attended the Breed Talk and passed the Multiple Choice Exam, they are able to  commence their three mentoring sessions. This is organised by the BEC, who appoints the mentor for each session.In the case of a Club mentoring session, this only counts as one mentoring session and again the BEC  organises the mentoring. If the mentoring is done as a Student judge, this is pre arranged through the BEC who matches up the mentoring Judge and Student and arranges with the Society for this to take place at the show  as well as the judge and exhibitors have the option to opt out of their dogs being examined by the Student.

On the successful completion of the mentoring sessions, the mentee will then be Observed when they judge. This is pre arranged,the BEC matching up a mentee with an Observer. On a positive observation the mentee then awaits a final assessment date.

Please note : It is hoped Mentors and Observers will be asked to officiate as near to their area as possible or where they would be attending a show already.

 The Whippet Judges training programme is holding a training day on Saturday,13th October,2018 for those wishing to become  Approved Breed Speakers, Mentors and Observers(must award CCs). The approved list will be available at the end of October,2018 so Secretaries can forward plan. Further information is available  on www.thekennelclub.org.uk/JCF or for Breed related q's and to book a place on the training day contact : whipppeteducation@gmail.com

29th July 2018

The Whippet Breed Council held a meeting at the Sports Connection at Ryton on 29th July 2018. This is a synopsis of the meeting by the Chairman Ann Beckett-Bradshaw:
 
I was delighted to be able to commence this meeting with a full complement of all 11 whippet breed clubs! The Northern Ireland whippet club have not been in attendance for some years and I was very pleased to be able to welcome their representative to the council meeting.
 
Also in attendance as our guests were the Sporting Whippet Club and, to my delight, several observers. To keep the Breed Council working efficiently we must involve ‘the future’. We have a duty to encourage and guide those who express an interest, so that they are primed and prepared to continue in the best possible way.
 
In April, the Breed Council notified the Kennel Club of several unauthorised changes to the English version of the FCI whippet Breed Standard. After consultation with the FCI, the Kennel Club informed the Council of the FCI’s response and advised the Council on the way forward. It was pleasing to have the support and guidance, along with timely responses from the Kennel Club regarding these changes.
 
The whippet Club of Italy had attended the Whippet Conference in USA with a beautifully prepared flyer, outlining their plans for a whippet conference in 2022, so if the UK has any intention of organising a whippet conference, it is clear that planning must begin soon, to be ready for the future!
 
The web site, ably managed by Mark Smith has had a revamp and a change of web address. Unfortunately, the old address is still working (although it doesn’t do anything other than load the opening page) so please take note that the new and correct address is www.whippetbreedcouncil.com . Updates will continue to appear on our Facebook page too – The UK Whippet Breed Council.
 
One of the main subjects which had been proposed in advance, was a change to the breed standard regarding the colour Merle. A few years ago, the Kennel Club had invited the Council to address this, but the vote had been for the standard to remain as it was. At that time, it was considered that there was little likelihood of there being any issue, as Merle is not a colour inherited by whippets. However, the council was more recently made aware that there were in fact, whippets registered with this anomaly in Europe. All eleven Breed Clubs voted in favour of sending an application for change to the standard regarding colour. 
 
The Whippet Of The Year was discussed. Sadly, as there had been no offers to organise this event from (either) a club or any group of individuals, the decision was made to suspend WOTY until further notice.
 
There was an interesting presentation by Pam Marston-Pollock, regarding the JCF. Pam outlined her role as the whippet Breed Education Coordinator (BEC) and explained to the Breed Council how the education of upcoming whippet judges will proceed. 
 
Jo Whitehead gave us an update on matters to do with health and heart screening. Serious consideration should be given to re-testing whippets, and continuing to screen them, particularly as they move through veteran and into the older age groups. Only when more of this information is made available will there be a clearer picture to those collating the data. 
 
The late Edith Newton was a staunch supporter and valued member of the Whippet Breed Council for many years. Almost 30 years ago, at her request as Breed Council secretary, I sent my own judging CV to her. As a mark of both respect and remembrance, the Breed Council stood for a minute’s silence, remembering also other whippet ‘people’ who had sadly been lost this year. 
 
I felt the meeting was enthusiastic and positive and although a tremendous amount had been achieved, it was felt that a further meeting should be held this year. The date was set as 14th October 2018 and as before, any individual who would like to attend as an observer, will be welcomed and should notify either myself, or Russell Sykes, so that we can send them the details.

14th March 2018

Breed Council Meeting:

The next Whippet Breed Council Meeting will take place on Sunday 29th July at 11.00am 
at The Sports Connexion, Leamington Road, Ryton On Dunsmore, Coventry, CV8 3FL.

The Agenda and minutes of the previous BC meeting will be circulated to the Breed Clubs prior to the meeting. 

Breed Club members are welcome as spectators at all Breed Council meetings.

Russell Sykes, Sec. Whippet Breed Council

30th January 2018

Chairman’s Address:

On Sunday 28th January 2018, at the Annual Meeting, 
I was privileged to take up the office of Chairman of the Whippet Breed Council.

The council’s objectives, in essence, through the constitution is to uphold the Breed Standard, 
to encourage the clubs to promote and assist those who wish to further their knowledge 
and to liaise with the Kennel Club General Committee.

The Breed Council is not a secret ‘Old Boys Club’ and no special handshakes are required to gain entry to the meeting rooms.

Those who DO attend on behalf of their club, are volunteers, usually receiving no financial reimbursement for their time and travel, their only reward is knowing that they are ‘doing their bit’ for the breed we love.

The Kennel Club’s new Judges Competency Framework will be gradually eased into effect over the coming years and we will see changes in the way judges are trained and qualify for future appointments. 
This will be a busy time as these processes develop and the JCF becomes more familiar 
to both the Breed Council and the breed clubs.

The constitution states that any full member of a breed club may attend meetings as observers and I would like to openly invite anyone who would like to see and hear what is discussed at meetings to contact 
either myself, or the Secretary Russell Sykes. 

The meetings can be very interesting and, who knows, you may even decide you would like to roll up your sleeves and ‘Get Stuck In’!! 


We look forward to seeing you or, better still, getting you involved!


Ann Beckett-Bradshaw (Chairman)

18th January

A synopsis of the recent Jan 2018 Breed Council meetings from our Chairman Mrs Ann Beckett-Bradshaw...

THE WHIPPET BREED COUNCIL

Almost 20 whippet enthusiasts attended the 2018 Annual Meeting of the Whippet Breed Council. An excellent turn out with a wonderful vibrant atmosphere.

Business was fairly standard and there was no controversy regarding the items on the agenda, most of which were concluding the business from the previous year. The Vice Chairman Ian Halbert had ‘taken up the reins’ later in 2017 to hold the fort until the elections at this very meeting. Due to the fact that Russell Sykes was standing for election, Ian was resigning from his post, as the Breed Council constitution allows only one officer from any one club to serve (as an officer) on the Breed Council. Russell had been acting secretary through the latter part of 2017 and had arranged both the Annual and ‘ordinary’ meetings

The treasurer Molly Head gave a financial report which indicated that the Breed Council was at least ‘In the Black’.
The council then moved on to the elections of Chairman, Secretary, Vice Chairman and Health co-ordinator. There had been no nominations for the latter two positions and unfortunately, due to a technicality, there was no requirement for a ballot. As a result Ann Beckett-Bradshaw and Russell Sykes were elected as Chairman and Secretary respectively.

The council then discussed subscriptions – often a contentious issue, but the council agreed that they should remain as they were.

Business was closed fairly quickly and the council then moved on to the next (ordinary) meeting.

Ann Beckett-Bradshaw began the meeting as the new chairman and again business was uncontroversial.
One of the clubs had asked for the issue of Merle colouration and ‘wall’ eyes to be an agenda item at the meeting and how the Breed Council would protect whippets from this potential threat to the purity and health of the breed. There was an extensive discussion with several suggestions on how to approach the Kennel Club and make use of their vast experience.

Whippet of the Year was discussed and some potential changes were suggested. Volunteers are hard to come by for these special events and it usually falls to a small nucleus of people to stage the event which always seems to be both well received and successful.

The Judges Competency Framework was another topic which required quite some discussion and how this will alter the education of future judges. The Kennel Club have requested that a JCF Breed Education Officer be appointed and the Council have requested that the clubs provide names of those considered to be both competent and qualified to undertake the role. Names for submission are to be sent to the secretary by 28th February 2018.

The whippet video for the Kennel Club Academy has been sponsored and is expected to be filmed in the near future.

The Breed Council website will be having a re-vamp and hopefully more information will be available soon.
The next ordinary meeting is scheduled for July and anyone who would like to attend as an observer, must be a member of a whippet breed club and notify either the Breed Council Chairman or the Secretary of their intention to attend.

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