When choosing a whippet breeder, understanding the importance of ethical breeding is paramount. Ethical breeding is more than simply producing puppies; it is a commitment to preserving, improving, and protecting the breed for future generations. At Ashsinhalt Whippets, this dedication defines everything we do.
Why Ethical Breeding Matters
Ethical breeding ensures that whippets are not only beautiful but also healthy, functional, and true to their heritage. Whippets are a unique breed, celebrated for their temperament, and versatility. To maintain these traits, breeders must prioritize health testing, responsible breeding practices, and a deep respect for the breed’s original purpose.
Health is a cornerstone of ethical breeding. Comprehensive testing and careful selection of breeding pairs help reduce the prevalence of genetic and hereditary conditions. Beyond health, ethical breeders strive to maintain the breed’s temperament, physical capabilities, and working instincts, ensuring whippets remain the adaptable and loving companions they were meant to be.
Health Testing at Ashsinhalt Whippets
At Ashsinhalt Whippets, we hold ourselves to the highest standards of health testing and care. Our protocols are designed to gain a deep understanding of the breed’s health and ensure every generation is healthier than the last. Here’s what we do:
Yearly Colour Doppler Echocardiograms: This state-of-the-art test, performed by a cardiologist, evaluates heart health. In whippets, we focus on conditions such as heart murmurs and mitral valve disease. Mitral valve disease, a progressive condition, typically appears later in life and can lead to heart failure if undetected. Regular testing helps us monitor heart function over time and make informed breeding decisions to reduce the prevalence of this issue.
Annual ACES Eye Testing: Conducted by an ophthalmologist, this test screens for a wide range of eye conditions. In whippets, we particularly monitor for lens luxation and vitreous degeneration. Lens luxation involves the displacement of the lens within the eye, which can cause pain and vision loss if untreated. Vitreous degeneration, the breakdown of the gel-like substance in the eye, can compromise vision and is more common in older dogs. Early detection ensures affected dogs receive appropriate care.
Lifetime Testing Commitment: Every dog we breed and continue with its lineage is tested annually throughout their lives. This ongoing testing provides invaluable data, allowing us to understand when and how conditions develop. For example, by tracking heart or eye health in older dogs, we can identify patterns and adjust our breeding program to improve outcomes in future generations.
CHED Scheme Hip, Elbow, and Spine Scoring: Structural soundness is crucial for a whippet’s performance and well-being. Hip dysplasia, a malformation of the hip joint, and spinal conditions, such as intervertebral disc disease, can impair mobility and cause pain. These issues are more commonly seen in show-line whippets, but proactive screening helps us ensure our dogs are built for longevity and comfort.
Embark DNA Testing: This comprehensive genetic test screens for over 270 conditions. Two key conditions we test for in whippets are:
Myostatin Deficiency: A co-dominant gene that causes double muscling. Breeding two carriers can result in homozygosity, which leads to severe health issues. Testing ensures we avoid such pairings.
Phosphofructokinase Deficiency: This enzyme deficiency affects a dog’s ability to metabolize glucose, leading to fatigue and muscle weakness. Identifying carriers helps us prevent the condition in offspring.
Additionally, we use UC Davis genetic diversity testing to breed for heterozygosity, increasing genetic diversity within the breed. This approach reduces the risk of non-testable conditions, such as epilepsy, diabetes, and allergies, which can arise from inbreeding or limited genetic diversity.
Breeding with Purpose
Ethical breeding is not about producing puppies for profit. It is about preserving the breed’s essence. At Ashsinhalt Whippets, our goal is to maintain the true working whippet: a dog that is tireless and adaptable, yet calm and gentle at home. By focusing on conformation, temperament, working instinct, and physical capabilities, we honor the breed’s origins and ensure its future.
We believe that a whippet’s ability to work—whether in lure coursing, hunting, or other performance sports—should be balanced with their role as a loyal family companion. This dual-purpose approach means breeding for both form and function, ensuring our dogs excel in all aspects of their lives.
Proving Our Dogs’ Excellence
At Ashsinhalt Whippets, we take immense pride in proving the quality of our dogs through both lure coursing and conformation. Lure coursing allows us to showcase the prey drive, enthusiasm, agility, speed, and focus that are hallmarks of a true whippet. Our dogs consistently earn top placements in trials, a testament to their physical capabilities and the deliberate selection process we use for both sires and dams. By carefully choosing pairings that complement each other’s strengths and selecting puppies that embody the qualities we value, we continuously refine and enhance the breed. The awards and achievements our dogs earn in these trials stand as proof of our success in breeding whippets of exceptional quality.
In the conformation ring, we demonstrate that our dogs are not only exceptional workers but also conform to the breed standard. Competing successfully against dogs bred solely for the show ring highlights the balance we achieve: maintaining correct working drive while excelling in the show ring. This dual achievement proves that a whippet can truly do it all, honoring its heritage and excelling in modern standards.
Commitment to Our Puppies
Every puppy we breed is a piece of our heart, and we are deeply invested in their well-being. We meticulously vet potential homes to ensure they align with our values and provide lifelong support for our dogs and their families. Our commitment includes taking back any dog we have bred, regardless of the circumstances, to ensure they never end up in a shelter or unsuitable home. We want to know where all our puppies are and ensure they are cherished and loved throughout their lives.
A Lifelong Passion
Our passion for whippets drives us to continually learn and improve. Ethical breeding requires adapting to new research, refining protocols, and always prioritizing the dogs above all else. At Ashsinhalt Whippets, we breed for the love of the breed, striving to protect its legacy while advancing its health and potential. This dedication ensures that every decision we make is rooted in care, respect, and a vision for a healthier future.
Supporting Ethical Breeders
When looking for a whippet, choosing an ethical breeder is one of the most important decisions you can make. Ethical breeding impacts not just your future puppy but the entire breed. By supporting breeders who prioritize health, temperament, and purpose, you contribute to a brighter, healthier future for whippets.
At Ashsinhalt Whippets, we’re proud to be part of that future. Our dedication to ethical breeding ensures that every puppy we raise embodies the best of what this amazing breed has to offer.
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