LV to host dog-racing competition

Karen Zekan

Friday, Jan. 9, 1998 | 10:41 a.m.

Some of the fastest dogs will be flying to the finish line this weekend as a Las Vegas competition for whippets and other speedy breeds gets under way.

Dogs will be racing in a straight line Saturday during the North American Whippet Racing Association's event. An oval course will be set up for Sunday's National Oval Track Racing Association competition.

The public is invited to attend, free of charge, and watch some of the speediest breeds earn points toward their titles at Craigin Park behind Hyde Park Middle School, off Bedford Road near Fulton Place and Charleston Boulevard.

Events begin both days at 10 a.m. and will last until all dogs have competed.

Sunday's event will see classic oval track competition, with canines suited up in colored jackets and muzzles. Whippets will start out of boxes and the larger breeds will be slip-collared, meaning owners will release their dogs at race's start.

Several deerhounds from the Bay Area are expected to compete along with other larger breeds from other cities. At least 15 whippets will also run.

During the past eight years that the competition has been held in Las Vegas, visitors have come from numerous states to compete. This year, however, the competition base may not be quite as large.

Janet Adams of the Southern Nevada Sighthound Association explained that many of the eligible dogs will be away this weekend attending a lure coursing event in Phoenix and other competitions in California.

"The timing for our event didn't turn out to be the best, but it still is going to be a lot of fun," said Adams, who will be entering her prize-winning borzoi, Bubba.

Organizers will set up the oval track using plastic tape for railing. Although not an American Kennel Club event, all competing whippets are required to meet the standards of the AKC.