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 over twenty 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, Rumor (SBIS/Natl Select Ch Shahanshah Somthn T’Talkabout, JC), our Saluki line was born. Kevin is an all-breed ASFA lure coursing judge and has judged sweepstakes for Salukis multiple times including the 2011 National Specialty and has also judged Whippets for CWA and multiple all-breed matches. He is show co-chairman of two all-breed conformation shows with Dawn for Greater Racine Kennel Club. In addition to the kennel club, Kevin also belongs to the Saluki Club of America, American Saluki Association, Huron Valley Saluki Club, American Whippet Club, and Midwest Coursing Club. Kevin also teaches conformation classes at two local training facilities and has handled dogs in the conformation ring for other folks.
After finding success in Australian Cattle Dogs, Dawn started looking for a dog to be her first dual champion after she realized she didn't care for herding. She fell in love with the versatility of the Whippet. She obtained her first Whippet from Debbie and Kathy Davenport (Kamada). We love the classic look of the Kamada Whippets and also their outgoing, gregarious personalities. Debbie & Kathy have graciously shared their knowledge and beautiful dogs with us over the years. Dawn has judged Saluki sweepstakes and has judged Whippets for CWA. She is a member of Greater Racine Kennel Club, American Whippet Club, American Saluki Association, Huron Valley Saluki Club, and Australian Cattle Dog Club of America. Dawn was an obedience instructor for several years until the training center closed and has taught several structured conformation classes.
We are eternally grateful to Marie Adams and to Debbie & Kathy Davenport for being our mentors in Salukis & Whippets and for sharing some of their best dogs with us! There are lots of other folks who have inspired us and helped us along the way including Lori Grootemaat, Kathy Rasmussen, Jaqi TerHaar, Jeannie Rhodes, Deric Aube, and Bill & Sue Flynn.
We do not breed very often – primarily when we are looking for something for ourselves. When we began breeding, we set a list of priorities that we breed to. 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.
#2 Moderate Structure – we breed for a sound, moderate structure, one that is not extreme in any area. We have found 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 receive echocardiograms to prove their hearts are clear of defects. We also OFA certify their hips and elbows and they are thyroid tested. Our Whippets receive heart echocardiograms as well as thyroid tests. They also have their eyes certified against defects.
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!
Kevin & Dawn Carlson
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)
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 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)
FUN NEWS:
2011 - 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.
