Moonlake

Moonlake whippets are old fashioned and proud ot it!

Still only three generations away from the legendary Ch Deepridge Mintmaster, the aim has always been to produce dogs able to excel on the coursing field and win at championship show level.

Making a Splash and Mackintosh divided the East of England Whippet Coursing Club's puppy cup between them after an exciting puppy career in the ring. 'Tosh winning a Res CC at the Scottish Kennel Club show and Splash going Best Puppy at the Whippet Club's Centenary show.

Tragically, Splash was killed in an accident five days after gaining his show champion title, leaving 'Tosh to carry the Moonlake colours both on the field and in the ring which he has done with some distinction, winning the two premier dog cups of the Whippet Coursing Club and the East of England Whippet Coursing club and winning a CC to add to his Res CC.

I was lucky enough to be able to buy Farthing (Copsebury Lightly Splashed by Moonlake), from a litter bred by Ann Harding shortly after Splash's death. She has become a most elegant bitch and although she has inherited her father's hunting obsession with scars to match, has nevertheless had notable and consistent success in the show ring, winning a Res CC from the Junior class at the Scottish Kennel Club (must be my lucky show).

Farthing was never led in her first season's coursing, winning the Pool House stake in December before a foot injury prevented her from running for the rest of the season.
The current ban on coursing has brought an untimely end to the career of the best whippet bitch I have everowned in 35 years of sport.

Mated to Mackintosh, Farthing produced a superb litter in 2006. Favour (More of a Splash above) and Frosty (Must be Cool below) have had some lovely wins in the ring and lure coursing.

Although taller than any whippet I have had before, Frosty has secured his place here with his engaging personality and many virtues. He has also convinced show judges that he has something to offer the breed, doing well at general and club championship shows.

It is a pity that he does not put the same effort into showing as he does for chasing but he has had excellent results at both. Most of all, I enjoy the pleasure of his company and watching his never failing enthusiasm, bounding across the fields or leaping higher than my head to snatch a berry from a branch. He is a real charmer.

Since his father has retired from stud work, Frosty is at stud to suitable bitches. He was eyetested (clear) in 2008. In 2009 he was heart-tested clear.

Nine year old Fidget returns from a course in February 2005, full of beans and already thinking about the next one, unaware that the next one will be her last ever. The coursing ban meant that she had to concentrate her efforts on the rabbits at home but as she was already ten by then, she would have retired anyway. Her death at 13 was the cause of great sadness: she was dearly loved and is very much missed.

To see more Moonlakes, at home and abroad, please visit www.moonlake.co.uk

This is a sporting line which has always been bred as closely as possible to the breed standard while maintaining above average performance in the field. All my whippets are health checked regularly and I think their performance proves they are "fit for function". I like to keep in touch with my puppy clients and expect regular progress reports. Any Moonlake whippet can be returned to me at any stage of its life, without question. Help and advice are always available.