All paid-up member clubs were represented at this meeting, along with the Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, Breed Health Coordinator, Website & Media Coordinator, representatives from JR Whippet Rescue, the Sporting Whippet Club, UK Sighthound Sport, and seven observers.
Remembrances were recorded in the minutes, and tributes were shared on our Facebook page.
The Bo Bengtson Archive, prepared by Steph and Pam Marston-Pollock, has now been handed over to the Royal Kennel Club. Once it has been made publicly available, it will also be accessible via our website.
The next Breed Appreciation Day (BAD) for Whippets will be held on Saturday, 3rd October 2026 near Newark.
Plans were discussed for the 2030 Whippet World Congress, which will be hosted in the UK, including how its organisation will be managed going forward.
Member clubs agreed on a more unified definition of the Special Beginners class at club shows to avoid confusion. It was also agreed that Challenge Certificate (CC) and Reserve Challenge Certificate (RCC) winners will no longer be eligible to compete in this class.
Reports from the Breed Health Coordinator, Breed Education Coordinator and Website & Media Coordinator will be shared on the Whippet Breed Council website and Facebook page.
Our thanks go to all the Officers and Coordinators for their continued hard work, and to everyone who supports them.
Katie Manners presented the JR Whippet Rescue report. Rescue began the year with 15 Whippets still in their care from 2025. During the first half of 2026, 75 Whippets were referred for rehoming, with 65 officially surrendered. Foster homes are currently at capacity, with some spaces reserved for emergency cases.
The main reasons for dogs entering rescue continue to be owner ill health, relationship breakdowns, and elderly owners finding themselves unable to manage puppies. Behavioural issues such as reactivity, bite incidents, and fighting between Whippets within the same household, including littermate syndrome, also remain significant concerns. It is particularly worrying that some breeders continue to sell puppies to homes that are clearly unsuitable.
JR Whippet Rescue receives approximately 150 applications each month. During 2025, 1,490 applications were received, while only 140 Whippets required homes. As a result, many applicants are understandably unsuccessful. However, those who are not suitable are now provided with advice tailored to their individual circumstances.
The recent Our Dogs feature, produced with significant input from the Breed Council, was shown to those present. A great deal of work went into this publication and it is well worth reading for anyone who has not yet seen it.
One member club highlighted the Royal Kennel Club’s excellent guidance on the use of social media and suggested that it would be beneficial to share this with club officers, committees and members.
The National Whippet Association hopes to host a Royal Kennel Club lunch to celebrate its 90th Anniversary, while also giving attendees the opportunity to view the Bo Bengtson Archive.
Meeting Dates for 2026
Monday, 26th October 2026 – Ordinary Meeting
Alayna Morland
Chairperson, Whippet Breed Council