Story and photos by Anne Cosgrove Wimberly
Shannon Hoehn, master groomer and owner of Pawfecto Pet Salon in
Oklahoma City, describes herself as a whippet enthusiast. Hoehn fell in love with whippets after watching a YouTube video in 2008.
“Someone did a beautiful slow-motion video of whippets racing, set to classical music, and my jaw dropped. I became obsessed with whippets,” Hoehn recalled.
Hoehn knew she needed to own whippets but had no idea it would take her seven years to achieve that goal. She was a busy wife, mother, and dog groomer. “I divorced in 2011. I was the normal 40-something. I was driving around in my little sports car — then the dogs happened. I got my first dogs in 2015,” Hoehn said.
Whippet Lifestyle
Hoane’s goal was to be the best whippet owner possible. She knew she had to serve her first two dogs by letting them do what they do best — chase things. Hoehn set a goal of entering her dogs in two or three lure-coursing competitions a year and built a travel schedule limited to four-hour drives one way.
Hoehn adapted her lifestyle as she gained a greater appreciation for the dogs. She sold her sports car and purchased a large red van to accommodate crates, gear, and food for the dogs. She found a place in Abilene, Kansas, that sells fresh raw dog food. Hoehn opened her kennel, Keen Whippets. Recently, she bought a utility trailer that she converted to a camper. Members of the tight-knit whippet community assisted with the remodel. “One friend helped put in the kitchen so I could cook for myself and prepare the meals for my dogs,” Hoehn said. “Another installed the windows while I was in the parking lot at a dog event.”
Hoehn’s farthest trip so far will take place this summer in Massachusetts, a
24-hour drive one way. Hoehn doesn’t mind traveling as the only human in her entourage. The whippets and audiobooks provide plenty of entertainment.
Champion Competitors
Hoehn owns six whippets — Vex (male, nine years old), Keegan (female, seven), Finely (male, two), Rush (male, two), Chip (male, five months), and Amp (female, three-and-a-half years). Every dog that Hoehn has owned has been a successful
competitor. She credits the dogs for their successes. She believes her role is to assist them.
“I am fortunate in that I was able to see what they do well and help them do it better,” she said.
Vex, one of Hoehn’s first whippets, is now retired. His current job is to chase squirrels and leaves in Hoehn’s enclosed backyard. Keegan is a semiretired champion lure courser. She will continue to compete in generational competitions with her son, Finely. Finely has already won racing and conformation competitions. Rush will compete this year in lure coursing. Chip recently completed his first show in conformation. Amp races and specializes in dock diving.
Whippets are not typically thought of as water dogs because of their thin coat and lack of body fat, but Hoehn recognized Amp’s drive to dive.
“Amp is my do-anything girl,” Hoehn said. “She just immediately was jumping off the dock at six months old.”
Hoehn does what she does because she loves her dogs. She loves it that they are neat, clean, friendly, and fairly easy to care for. She is proud that she is part of the closely knit whippet community whose goal is to maintain athletic, healthy, happy dogs.
She readily admits that not every whippet will be a great lure courser, racer, or show dog, but she is quick to state that every whippet does have a strong prey drive.
“The only thing that would be a drawback for anyone is that you can’t trust them off leash because if something gets away, they’re gonna chase it, period,” Hoehn said. “Whether it’s a bag blowing, a leaf, a cat, some kid playing Frisbee, the instinct of chase is just so strong in whippets, you have to be careful where you take them.”
Hoehn wants potential adopters to fully understand the breed and the people involved. Most people who own and breed whippets compete with their dogs. The whippet community is committed to helping owners, breeders, and handlers just as much as it is committed to maintaining healthy dogs.
Countless Friends
Veterinarian Shara Carlton and her staff have cared for Hoehn’s dogs for several years. A friend takes care of Hoehn’s house and stay-at-home dogs while she travels. Other friends eagerly offer care for dogs who are returned to Keen Whippets for whatever reason.
“A part of my kennel contract is that if you can’t keep a dog, you return it to me. I’m going to Broken Arrow today to pick up a dog. I have a friend in Louisiana who has one of my pups and who is interested in this one,” Hoehn said.
Another subcommunity is comprised of people who make, sell, and buy dog collars.
“There are people who will spend more than $300 for a dog collar. I look at that and think that’s 30 entry fees. That’s three tanks of gas. You know you’re addicted to whippets and whippet sports when everything comes in terms of entry fees and gas money,” Hoehn said.
Some gear, however, is necessary.
“Another dear friend, Libby Rice, makes coats and jackets and slip leads specifically for lure racing,” Hoehn said.
The adage that it takes a village to raise a child holds true for whippets. The hours spent caring for the dogs are endless. Hoehn wouldn’t have it any other way, though. The human and canine friends she has made in the whippet world are countless.
“These dogs are my family,” Hoehn said. “This is what I do. My life revolves around them. I love watching my dogs love what they do.
