About - Rusalka Whippets

About Rusalka

I consider sound temperament, health and breed essence to be top priorities in my small-scale hobby program. My dogs are a central part of my life and are treasured companions. I breed a litter only when I will keep one or more puppies as part of my ongoing plans. When I have puppies available I strive to match my Whippets with committed, loving families and individuals who will love and care for their Whippets as much as I do. I consider myself a caretaker of the Whippet breed. I hope to make some small contribution to the preservation and improvement of the breed to help future generations enjoy the love and companionship of Whippets.

Beginnings
As a child I had Lakeland Terriers. I saw Borzoi at the Ox Ridge Kennel Club shows in the ’60’s and “knew” some day I’d have a Borzoi of my own. My interest in dog shows was piqued when my first Borzoi won a fun match in 1979. I spent several years researching the Borzoi breed and obtained my foundation stock. The first Rusalka-bred litter was born in 1983, and although I had a small-scale breeding program, I’ve had the good fortune to have owned or bred USA National and/or Regional Specialty Best In Show, Specialty point winners, Sweepstakes, Award of Merit, and Hound Group winners. Approximately 26 Rusalka-bred Borzoi completed the requirements for their AKC Championships and three their ASFA Field Championships.

Whippets Join The Family
After following Whippets for many years, in 1998 our first Whippet, Ch. DenGayle’s Do The Locomotion, joined the family as a show-quality companion for my son. Our beloved “Julian” finished in six shows, owner-handled. Not long after, I obtained the whippet bitch who was to become my foundation, CH Windigo Rusalka Moonraker, who finished with two majors at the AWC Midwest weekend in Ravenna in the days when entries hovered around 200. My first homebred litter produced three champions, two of whom were multiple group placers, owner-handled. Since then I’ve been dedicated to this elegant, versatile breed. Rusalka Whippets, with a limited show schedule, have done well in the show ring with approximately 40 owner-handled conformation champions to date. I’ve bred and owner/handled AWC Specialty Best of Breed and Specialty major winners, AWC supported entry Best of Breed and major winners, multiple AWC specialty and supported entry Best In Sweepstakes and Best Puppy winners, group and group placement winners, and National and Regional Specialty Award of Merit winners.

I take pride in achieving the AWC Register of Merit Excellent Award for CH Rusalka Harbor Lights ROMX and the AWC Register of Merit Award for her influential grandson, Everett, BISS GCHB Rusalka Legendary Magic ROM.

Everett’s multi-talented offspring include Dual Champions, a Best in Specialty winner, Group winners, an AWC Top Twenty contender, Best in Field winners, and a National Award of Merit recipient. His kids have earned lure coursing, rally, dock diving and CGC titles. Everett is a two-time American Whippet Club National Specialty Award of Merit winner and is OFA Advanced Cardiac normal and OFA Eye normal at age 8.

Everett winning an AOM at the 2021 AWC National Specialty

Judging and Volunteering

	Jennifer Beach-Buda awarding a Sweepstakes win at the Borzoi Club of California Specialty, WSCS, Lompoc, CA 1994. The Borzoi, Ch. Amberwinds Fire in the Dark, F.Ch., bred and owned by Susan Mallonee, later completed his AKC bench championship and ASFA Field Championship.
	Jennifer awarding a Best In Sweepstakes at an AWC supported entry at the Waukesha KC to Ch. Jadon N Dengayle Go Big Red. He went on to complete his championship handled by breeder/owner Pam Murphy.
	Jennifer awarding an AWC Supported Entry Best In Sweepstakes to Northwind’s Gullivers Travels, bred, owned, and handled by Kay Nierengarten.

I’ve had the privilege to judge Whippet Sweepstakes and Borzoi Sweepstakes competitions. In 2004 I had the honor of judging the Borzoi Club of America National Specialty Futurity competition. I am a former Borzoi Club of America Member Education Chair and BCOA web site administrator, developing the original website in the mid ’90s. I served as the AKC Gazette Borzoi Breed columnist from 1995 through 2005.

I served on the American Whippet Club Top Twenty Executive Committee for several years. I volunteer for Whippet Rescue and Placement, Inc., WRAP, and currently serve as Vice President and technical administrator. In 2016 I completed a redevelopment of the whippet-rescue.org website.

I’ve organized the AWC Supported Entry at the Amana Colonies Cluster as well as a Whippet Heath Foundation subsidized cardiac clinic on site.

In 2023 I was appointed to the volunteer position of American Whippet Club Website Chair and elected to the position of Vice President of the American Whippet Club.

I serve as a Judge Mentor for the American Whippet Club and the Borzoi Club of America.

Rusalka
The kennel name “Rusalka” was chosen for its association with the beautiful music and story of the Dvorak opera by the same name. The folktale of the water- or wood-nymph desirous of human love appears frequently with variations in Russian and European literature. It is found in Hans Christian Anderson’s The Little Mermaid in one of its most popular forms.

Also read about the similar legend of Melusina, a figure of European legends and folklore, a feminine spirit of fresh waters in sacred springs and rivers.