Question: If you could thank three people, one from your past, another in your life today and the person to whom you’d entrust the future of your breed(s), what would you say to each to show your gratitude? The first two answers are easy. My breed is Whip- pets. From the past I’d thank Mrs. William Potter Wear, Stony Meadows Kennel, who truly molded the breed into the flowing, graceful, lovely Whippet we see today. I’m glad that I knew her and had the honor of visiting her at her home on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. She told me she liked to evaluate her Whippets from horseback. As they moved, she could see how well the shoulders were placed and how sound they were. She cemented my opin- ion that the Whippet should be a true athlete. Ch. Stoney Meadow’s Snow Queen is a great example. From the present, I’d thank Carol Harris of Bo-Bett Whippets in Ocala, Florida; another horsewoman. She is as famous in Quarter Horses as she is in Whippets. On her farm, you see the perfection of type from a dedicated breeder. Litter after litter are full of puppies of great temperament, sound bodies and elegant style. Carol is still moving forward with well-planned litters at age 94, so she is also my role model. The sire Ch. Bo-Bett’s Speed Demon epitomizes the grace of her line. For the future, I would look to Europe and Scan- dinavia. I don’t see young American breeders with the strength of purpose of those two but whenever I attend the World Show or judge in France, Italy, Sweden or Finland, I come across young breeders with enthusiasm and lovely Whippets who give me hope the breed will continue with quality. GIVING BACK SHARON SAKSON featuring
“SHE CEMENTED MY OPINION THAT
THE WHIPPET SHOULD BE A TRUE ATHLETE.”
190 • S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , O CTOBER 2017
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