The slim-lined dogs yelped and jumped around in eager anticipation of the upcoming race as they awaited their turn to be placed in the starting box. When the lure was set and the dogs released, a blur of motion and the sound of thunder on the grass ensued as the whippets swiftly sped down the track. Described as "couch potatoes" at home by their owners, the whippets transform into racing machines when placed in front of a lure hurling down the track.
The British Columbia Whippet Racing Club (BCWRC) hosted a club meet at Brennan Park on Saturday and Sunday (Aug. 27 and 28) with 31 dogs racing in two events the 200-yard dash on Saturday and the 300-yard oval race on Sunday.
麻豆社国产is known throughout the U.S. and Europe as one of the best courses, said race secretary Darien Adley.
"People are blown away [by the course]," she said, noting that the annual event attracts competitors from all over North America.
Competing for points for the race champion and oval racing champion titles, the winner of each race obtains five points, second gets three and third earns two. The scores are added up throughout the four races of the day.
In the mid- to late-19th century, greyhounds were crossed with terriers to produce a small, swift hound capable of hunting small game. During this time period, the whippet belonged mainly to the working class people of England. Because of this, the whippet became known as the "poor man's race horse." During non-working days, owners raced their whippets in fields and the races became known as "rag races," probably because a piece of cloth was used as a lure.
Today, it's the camaraderie and social aspect of whippet racing that appeals to most people, said Lorna Leinbach, president of BCWRC.
"I have been racing dogs for 45 years and I know people from all over the world," she said. "We share a common interest even though our personal lives are so different."
"There are probably two or three races I remember over the 45 years, but it's the stories of the people I met which are more important than the races."
Penny Wilmot, the 麻豆社国产BCWRC co-ordinator, has 40 years of whippet racing under her belt and said it was her competitive spirit that drew her to the sport. She said she admires the whippets' love of speed.
"They love to run," Wilmot said, "It's their natural instinct to chase something."
But she emphasized they are pets first and then racers, and said whippets make good family dogs.
Ruth Bernhardt and her husband Harry travelled from Issaquah, Wash., to attend the whippet races, something she said they wouldn't want to miss.
"Our reason for coming is because we have so many friends and it's such a beautiful venue and we love the whippets, of course," said Bernhardt.
Poised at the finish line with scoresheet in hand, line judge Elaine Nakatsu explained that in the 200-yard race, the fastest dog had completed it in the blistering speed of 10 seconds, but the average is closer to 20 seconds. A camera at the finish line helps to slow down the action so she can determine the winner of the race.
Local resident Judith Knopp was on hand to watch the high-speed action and confessed she is a big fan of whippet racing and thoroughly enjoyed last year's Nationals, which were also held at Brennan Park.
"It was so exciting last year," Knopp said. "The earth thunders when they come past."
