Note:

The most important decision you'll make in getting a dog is the choice of breed. Many dogs end up returned to the breeder or dropped at a shelter simply because not enough thought was put into whether the breed was suitable for the home. Be very sure you want a whippet before getting one. They're great dogs but no breed is suitable for everyone!

Hello, we are Stijn & Patricia.

Most people know me through "PictoStijn.net" a website that showed you photographs of sighthound races throughout Belgium and the Netherlands.

Now we have a new website, and we are glad to announce that we are expecting our first litter under the name of Rabbits Cove. Our first litter we had, was born whithout the name Rabbit's Cove. Patricia wanted our next litters to have a name of their own. So 'Rabbit's Cove' whippet kennel was born.

Many people ask where we got the name. You might ask what a rabbit has to do whit dogs? To anwer that question we have to go back in time. Too late 18th century and beginning of 19th century England. And according to the most sources, the origin of the whippet lies in Northern England. Back in those days the whippet was populair among the working class for hunting on rabbits. Especially coal miners where using these dogs. A popular form of entertainment for the working class  was  "Snap-dog Coursing".  This betting game took place within an enclosure (cove) where rabbits (sometimes rats were used as well) were turned  loose.  Then a number of Whippets were placed in the same enclosure.  Which ever dog snapped up the most number of rabbits (or rats) was the winner, and the owner collected on the bets. They show this in the movie 'Gangs of New York'. Though they don't use whippets and it is done with rats. This is probably logical, since it was not in England. Racing whit these dogs came later in the history of the breed.  When the Whippet was frequently used as a race dog it became known as "the poor man's race horse.

But now we have eventually our own kennel name. Everyday we try to give our dogs the best possible care. We give a lot of time and energy to them, but they pay us back with love and respect. But this is also one of the reasons that we don't own many dogs. Now they still have enough space for them selfs. For keeping the dogs in shape, we have more time for them personelly instead of spreading it on a large group.

People that think we are participate on the Spanish abuse, they are wrong and strongly biased by the media. We may not race for big cash prizes and gambeling is strictly forbidden. It remains a hobby that costs us money. We experience pleasure in racing itself. The most important thing is the healty of our whippets and the joy that we can sit together with friends. Than it is all good to us.