Clubs Offering:
An intense Reas pounds the turf as he nears the finish line of his finals run at the Fast CAT invitational.
There’s probably only one time in his life when Reas finished last. That’s when he was the final puppy in a litter of five to go to his new home three years ago.
That was obviously not his doing. Four other owners passed over him for various reasons.
And now the muscular, 51-pound Whippet, owned by Lindsay Gluth and Matt Manetti, of Michigan City, Indiana, is America’s No. 1 speed demon once again after winning the 2022 Fastest Dogs USA, which aired on ABC on September 25, 2022.
Reas was competing to keep his crown as he also won the Fast CAT competition in 2021 as well as the American Kennel Club’s Fast CAT Invitational in Florida later that year. To put it in perspective, winning back-to-back events of their magnitude is akin to coming out on top in two consecutive Super Bowls, World Series, Stanley Cups, etc. You get the idea!
“It was certainly a week to remember,” a radiant Gluth says. “We love that he has been able to do all these things, and do them well. Even better, he has never been injured or hurt playing all the sports he loves.”
At four years old, Reas is in his prime. “What he’s accomplished this year is an incredible feeling. We are proud, thrilled, and excited for what the next year will bring. Everyone has the best dog, but he’s a special dog. The one that changes the game for you and makes you want to do more, train better, and travel a little further.”
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Golden Retriever: Romeo (Roselake’s Golden Romeo RN FDC CAA FCAT4 DJ CGCA TKN ATT) had a combined average time of 7.378 seconds, running at 27.72 MPH.
Some of the fastest dogs in the country dashed after the coveted “bunny” lure in a 100-yard Fast CAT dash, in hopes of being named the fastest dog in the country. Fastest Dogs USA was held on September 16 in Kannapolis, North Carolina, at the Atrium Health Ballpark where breeds of all sizes raced across the finish line in the Fast CAT competition.
After winning Fastest Dog USA in 2021, Reas the Whippet returned to keep his crown—and he succeeded. Now the two-time Fastest Dog champion. As his owner Lindsay Manetti says, “he lives to chase those bunnies.”
The top dog from the 14 fastest breeds was invited, plus the winner from last year. Each dog ran the 100-yard dash twice, with the top five fastest running an additional heat to determine the winner. Plus, some speedy Golden Retrievers, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and Basset Hounds did a few runs, and there was also a special Puppy Dash.
The four-year-old female mixed-breed beat out over a hundred purebreds to win the title of speediest canine today in Orlando.
SwiftPaws on Fastest Dogs USA
America’s favorite dog, Pluto, poses with America’s fastest dog, Reas, after the three-year-old whippet from Michigan City, Indiana, won the American Kennel Club Fastest Dog USA competition Dec. 12, 2021 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. In the final heat, Reas covered the 100-yard dash in 5.769 seconds (average speed of 35.36 mph) to win the competition televised nationally on ESPN on Christmas Day.
The 2020 American Kennel Club’s Fastest Dog USA, Phelen, was back to defend her title, but came up short this year.
The mixed breed from Maryland competed in this year’s competition on Dec. 12, 2021, at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. During a break in the competition, she posed with America’s favorite dog, Pluto.
It was a strong field, filled with some of the fastest dogs in the country. Another strong contender was Orlando-based Dalmatian, Norman Bates. He was the most decorated dog in the field with 79 career titles across different venues and platforms of performance sports.