All UK Whippet breed clubs were in attendance, along with the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, Breed Education Coordinator, Website & Media Coordinator, representatives from JR Whippet Rescue, World Congress 2030, WOTY and Discover Dogs, and five observers.
The Bo Bengtson archive will be available on our website in the near future, with thanks to Steph Marston-Pollock.
BADs were discussed. The in-person BAD had to be cancelled due to lack of take-up. Six clubs have joined together to host an online BAD on 25 November. In 2027, clubs hope to host an in-person BAD to encourage judges to gain valuable hands-on experience.
We discussed definitions for Special Beginners, World Congress 2026 feedback and heart testing handouts for the upcoming session at WCOS. The plans for World Congress 2030 had been shared with the breed clubs, and it was agreed that Ann Beckett-Bradshaw and Rachel Smith would take the lead on this with a team of volunteers.
Reports were received from the Treasurer, BEC, BHC, Website & Media Coordinator and JR Whippet Rescue.
Any Other Business
An RKC lunch to showcase the Bo Bengtson archive was discussed.
The setting up of a World Congress Council to oversee the handover of the World Congress in future was discussed.
A report was given on WOTY and the exciting changes to the format.
There was a discussion on having a BIS judge at club shows in place of a referee. The member clubs discussed the publication of the Breed Notes on the Breed Council platform, including editorial control. Following the discussion, the clubs voted to discontinue publication of the Breed Notes on the platform. We thank Claire Rishworth for her contribution to the breed through the Breed Notes over many years.
It was agreed that the educational booklets from both Ann Beckett-Bradshaw and Pam Marston-Pollock, along with the illustrated breed standard, would all be made available digitally as a resource on our website, with hard copies of the illustrated breed standard still available to purchase. Pam and Ann have kindly given permission for their booklets to be published on our website.
A report was given on the progress of the Discover Dogs stand. We discussed student judges and how to make this work with our breed going forward, as this mentoring method is expected to become more common practice.
Finally, an appeal was made for volunteers to help in various areas, including updating the Whippet Archives. I am pleased to say the Whippet Archives now has a team in place. It was a very full and productive meeting, and we are very lucky as a breed to have such collaboration from our breed clubs and volunteers, which is what our wonderful breed deserves.