About Aeolus....
Aeolus was established in 1995 and is located in Southeastern Wisconsin, but Kevin and Dawn have been involved with the sport of purebred dogs for about 30 years each. Kevin began with retired racing Greyhounds and while lure coursing them he fell in love with the running style of the Saluki. When our mentor, the late Marie Adams (The Aeries), offered Kevin her stud puppy out of a litter, our Saluki line was born.
Kevin is an all-breed ASFA & AKC lure coursing judge and has judged sweepstakes for Salukis multiple times including the 2011 US National Specialty and the 2015 Canadian National Specialty and has also judged Whippets for CWA, the 2019 AWC Midwest Regional Specialty. and Breeder Sweepstakes at the 2024 AWC National Specialty. He was the show chairman of two all-breed conformation shows for Greater Racine Kennel Club for nearly 20 years. In addition, Kevin teaches conformation classes at two local training facilities and was the lure coursing chairman and show co-chairman of the 2015 American Whippet Club National Specialty. He was also the show chairman for the 2009 and 2023 Saluki Club of America National Specialty, and is co-chair of the Saluki National Specialty in 2025.
After finding success in Australian Cattle Dogs, Dawn started looking for a sighthound to compete in lure coursing and conformation. She fell in love with the versatility of the Whippet. Dawn has judged Saluki sweepstakes and has judged Whippets for CWA, but isn't a big fan of judging. Dawn was an obedience instructor for several years until the training center closed and has taught several structured conformation classes. She was the show chairman for the 2015 American Whippet Club National Specialty and show co-chairman for the 2023 Saluki Club of America National Specialty. Dawn also serves on the Specialty Advisory Committee for the Saluki Club of America and is on the Board of Directors for Huron Valley Saluki Club and is the specialty Show Chair.
When we breed we are primarily when we are looking for something for ourselves. Our priorities are:
#1 Temperament – a sound temperament is of paramount importance to us. We believe in heavy socialization for the first 8 weeks. We employ the tactics developed by Dr Carmen Battaglia for early neurological stimulation. We also require that all of our pups attend a beginner obedience/puppy socialization class after they go to their forever homes. Starting in 2015 we adopted the principles used in the program Puppy Culture.
#2 Moderate Structure – we breed for a sound, moderate structure, one that is not extreme in any area. We believe that moderation is also helpful in reducing health issues over the lifetime of the dog.
#3 Health – we test all of our breeding stock against breed specific issues. Our Salukis and Whippets receive echocardiograms to prove their hearts are clear of defects and test their eyes against any abnormalities. We also test the Salukis for the genetic disorders including NCL, SSADHD and DEPOH.
When you obtain a dog from us, you will know that we put our time love and energy into each puppy and each litter is planned very carefully. Our puppies are born in one of our guest bedrooms and are raised among our adult dogs. We are very proud of our dogs!
Some of our Specialty Wins -
1996 Australian Cattle Dog Club of America National Specialty Best of Breed (Rogue)
2001 Saluki Club of America Eastern Regional Specialty Best of Breed (Rumor)
2002 Saluki Club of America National Specialty Award of Merit (Rumor)
2003 Saluki Club of America National Specialty ASFA Field Trial Best of Breed Winner - Pyramid Cup (Doozer)
2005 Huron Valley Saluki Club Specialty Best in Sweepstakes (Asia)
2005 Huron Valley Saluki Club Specialty Best in Veteran Sweepstakes (Rumor)
2005 Huron Valley Saluki Club Specialty Reserve Winners Bitch (Gabby)
2005 Huron Valley Saluki Club Specialty Award of Merit (Doozer)
2006 Huron Valley Saluki Club Specialty Best of Opposite Sex (Asia)
2006 Saluki Club of America National Specialty Best of Opposite Sex in Veteran Sweepstakes (Rumor)
2007 Saluki Club of America National Specialty Winners Bitch, Best of Winners, Best Bred by Exhibitor, Best of Breed (Hottie)
2007 Saluki Club of America National Specialty Brood Bitch Winner (Doozer)
2007 Huron Valley Saluki Club Specialty Best in Sweepstakes (Hottie)
2008 Saluki Club of America National Specialty Award of Merit (Gabby)
(Note we did not exhibit at the SCOA National in 2009 - 2011)
2011 American Whippet Club North Central Regional Specialty Winners Bitch, Best of Winners, Award of Merit (Lacey)
2011 Metropolitan Atlanta Whippet Association Specialty Best of Opposite Sex (Lacey)
2011 American Whippet Club Southern Regional Specialty Award of Merit (Lacey)
2012 Saluki Club of America Central Regional Specialty Best in Sweepstakes (George)
2012 Huron Valley Saluki Club Specialty Winners Dog, Best of Winners, Best Bred By Exhibitor (George)
2012 Huron Valley Saluki Club Specialty Reserve Winners Bitch (Payton)
2012 American Whippet Club North Central Regional Specialty Award of Merit (Lacey)
2012 American Whippet Club Supported Entry (Lake Elmo, MN) - Reserve Winners Bitch (Tori); Select Bitch (Lacey)
2012 American Whippet Club Supported Entry (Amana, Iowa) - Best of Breed (Lacey)
2013 Saluki Club of America Supported Entry (Gray Summit, Missouri) - Best of Breed (George) & Select Bitch (Hottie) & RWB (Payton)
2013 Saluki Club of America National Specialty - Best in Futurity (Payton)
2013 American Whippet Club Supported Entry (Tulsa, OK) - Best of Breed (Lacey)
2015 Saluki Club of America Supported Entry (Gray Summit, Missouri) - Best of Breed (George)
2015 Saluki Club of America Supported Entry (Gray Summit, Missouri) - Best of Opposite Sex (George)
2015 Saluki Club of America National Specialty - Best of Opposite Sex Veteran Sweepstakes (Hottie)
2015 Saluki Club of America National Specialty - Reserve Best in Dual Titled Sweepstakes (George)
2018 Saluki Club of America Supported Entry (Gray Summit, Missouri) - Winners Bitch, Best of Winners (Cheers)
2018 Saluki Club of American National Specialty - Reserve Best in Dual Titled Sweepstakes (George)
2019 Saluki Club of America Supported Entry (Gray Summit, MO - Winners Bitch (Elsie)
2019 Saluki Club of America Supported Entry (Gray Summit, MO - Winners Bitch, Best of Winners (Elsie)
2020 American Saluki Association Brahma II Lure Coursing Trophy Winner (Jasmine)
2020 American Saluki Association North Central Lure Coursing Trophy Winner (Jasmine)
2020 American Sighthound Field Association Region 5 Invitational - Best in Field (Hazel)
2021 Huron Valley Saluki Club Specialty (Madison, OH) - Select Bitch (Elsie)
2021 American Whippet Club Supported Entry (Madison, OH) - Winners Bitch, Best of Winners (Hazel)
2021 American Whippet Club Midwest Regional Specialty (Madison, OH) - Reserve Winners Bitch (Reese)
2021 American Whippet Club North Central Regional Specialty (Lake Elmo, MN) - Best in Veteran Sweepstakes (Lacey)
2021 American Whippet Club North Central Regional Specialty (Lake Elmo, MN) - Award of Merit & Best Veteran (Lacey)
2021 Saluki Club of America National Specialty - ASFA Field Trial - Best of Breed (Jasmine)
also high scoring Bench champion and winner of the Breeders stake with Cheers
2021 Saluki Club of America National Specialty - Best of Opposite Sex Veteran Sweepstakes (George)
2022 Saluki Club of America National Specialty - Best of Opposite Sex in Dual Titled Sweepstakes (Elsie)
2022 Saluki Club of America National Specialty - Top 20 Winner & People's Choice Winner (Elsie)
2023 Saluki Club of America Supported Entry (Gray Summit, MO) - Best of Breed (Elsie), Best of Winners/Best Puppy (Mirage)
2023 Saluki Club of America Supported Entry (Gray Summit, MO) - Best of Opposite Sex (Elsie)
2023 Saluki Club of America National Specialty - 4th Place Brood Bitch (Jasmine)
2024 Huron Valley Saluki Club Specialty (Gray Summit, MO) - Winners Bitch, Best of Winners (Fiesta)
2024 Huron Valley Saluki Club Specialty (Gray Summit, MO) - Select Bitch (Elsie)
2024 Saluki Club of America National Specialty - Winners Bitch, Best of Winners, Best Bred By Exhibitor, Best Puppy (Fiesta)
2024 Saluki Club of America National Specialty - Best in Sweepstakes (Fiesta)
2024 Saluki Club of America National Specialty - Reserve Best in Futurity (Fiesta)
FUN NEWS:
Shooter & Hottie were cast in the movie, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, playing Patrick Dempsey's dogs in the film.
Movie released 6-29-2011.
