There’s nothing like retiring when you’re on top. Meet “Reas” and “Rogue,” a pair of Whippets with incredible records across Fast CAT competitons. Just a few months ago, the pair placed first and second in the Pure Speed Division at the 2023 American Kennel Club Fast CAT Invitational in Orlando, Florida.
Achieving Success in Fast CAT
Their “flying feat,” which defines the namesake of that division, is nothing short of incredible when you consider they’re owned by the same couple, Lindsay and Matt Manetti, of Michigan City, Indiana. Plus, they competed in a field that included 198 competitors and 429 dogs in the prestigious event’s three divisions.
“It just seemed like the right time to retire them and focus on something else,” says Lindsay. This was the 5-year-old, 50-pound Reas’s second Pure Speed win at the Invitational and certainly gave him bragging rights to the fastest dog in the U.S. “But to go 1-2 in a field like that, well, we couldn’t be more proud,” she explains. This year, they’re moving from dash to splash, shifting their focus to Dock Diving. The duo will also compete in Flyball and Disc Dog.
Having the same owners claim the top two spots in the Pure Speed Division over 100 yards marks a first for the select 3-year-old event.
“Lindsay and Matthew have had outstanding success and consistent performances in running their Whippets in the AKC Fast CAT Invitational. Their dedication to their hounds is most evident,” says Caroline Murphy, Director of AKC Performance Events.
Making the Transition to Other Dog Sports
The couple decided to retire the two littermates from Fast CAT after the 2023 season because both love Dock Diving and other AKC sports. “We both like Dock Diving because we feel involved,” reflects Lindsay. “We have to throw the toy at the right time, and training is more interactive. Sometimes, I like to feel like I helped.”
Rogue loves Dock Diving and has a personal best in distance of 34 feet 3 inches to his tail and a personal best in Air Retrieve of 27 feet. He also won the North American Diving Dogs Elite Air Retrieve Division at the nationals last October, beating the world record-holder “Sounders” in the process.
Along with turning 5 this past year came more chances of the dogs getting injured in the intense speed sport, she adds. Whippets tend to peak physically between 2 and 6 years old. “Plus, Reas and Rogue don’t know the meaning of ‘whoa.’ Every time out, every event, even every training session, they give 100 percent,” says Lindsay. “They would both go through a brick wall if we asked them.”
It’s no secret Whippet skin has little fat beneath it, which is an invitation for tears and severe injuries. Case in point: Rogue had a run-in with a pulley last year — at a racing event, not a Fast CAT competition — resulting in a laceration that penetrated the rear leg muscle and nerves. This required a drain in his leg, 17 stitches, and four weeks of crate rest. After six weeks of healing and therapy, he placed fourth in the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge National Finals distance event and third in the Fetch-It competition.
A Focus on Training and Care
“Mostly, the boys train separately, but both are there together,” explains Lindsay. “They will take turns doing what we’re asking. Sometimes, we will run them together to help push the other, but it’s always safer to run/train them individually.”
Lindsay works nights as a technician at an emergency veterinary clinic, while Matt, a sales manager for a steel company works opposite hours. The pair’s professional schedule dictates they usually take turns exercising the dogs — walking, sprinting, and swimming.
Conditioning and care for the R&R duo include chiropractic manipulation, acupuncture, massage, cold laser treatments, and regular veterinary check-ups. During the cold Midwest winters, they add time on an underwater treadmill for indoor swimming.
The breed’s phenomenal synergy and ease of living with highly appealed to the Manettis. Add in their short coat which requires minimal grooming, and you have the complete package, she says. They have owned Whippets for about a decade, with Reas and Rogue being their fifth and sixth.
Balancing Competition and Companionship
No matter the event, the brilliant littermates’ prowess and versatility leave others with that wow reaction! But the couple’s personal goal extends far beyond the playing field. “As Whippet owners, our No. 1 objective is to love our dogs and provide them the best home we can. Secondly, show the world that Whippets are incredibly versatile athletes but also really good house pets. They are serious couch potatoes at times but when we grab their leashes, their demeanor changes quickly,” Lindsay smiles.
Reas and Rogue have taken the couple on a colorfully fluid and opportunistic adventure beyond their dreams. On her Instagram, Lindsay puts that special relationship in perspective: “Because we are humans and get wrapped up in the competition part, I always try to remember and remind others who follow us that the ribbons, recorded times, photos, videos and slew of awards are for us to enjoy — and the dogs don’t care. They’re just there to play with us. And to see their faces light [up] when we get to play is everything to us!”
Life Off the Track
Their home sits on three acres, replete with a wide assortment of wildlife, and serves as a near-perfect environment for Team Manetti and their 10 dogs, two cats, and “Lola,” a 46-year-old macaw.
Outside of home, the powerful pair are proverbial social animals who bond with skill and gusto. At the emergency veterinary clinic where Lindsay works, they receive plenty of treats, scratches, and photo ops during regular visits. Conversely, they feel right at home on local hiking trails, sand dunes, and outdoor docks.
The well-rounded dogs are the center of attention at family dinners, too, chasing the ball the Manettis’ nieces and nephews throw nonstop. They make everyone smile and are having fun in the process.