# Meet Justin & Cheslie Smithey: Master Breeders of Pinnacle Whippets

An episode of [Better Breeder Chronicles](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1831875614), 3 Mar 2026, 45 min.

Audio: https://anchor.fm/s/1081582f0/podcast/play/116247451/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2026-2-2%2F419093090-44100-2-7bbac2f9cd388.mp3

At Pinnacle Whippets, Justin and Cheslie Smithey have bred two of the most successful Whippets in modern history, and they’re sharing exactly how it happened. The powerhouse duo behind Whiskey and Bourbon reveals the mentorship, strategy, and selfless collaboration with fellow breeders that built their program from a teenage Whippet purchase to National & Westminster wins and record-breaking Best in Show careers. You’ll learn: • How legendary mentors shaped their eye and ambition • The calculated breeding behind Ringo, Whiskey, Bourbon, and Ivy • Why the Whippet National is the breed’s ultimate proving ground • The importance of collaboration and an open stud culture • Their blunt advice: never breed for convenience This is a masterclass in vision, patience, and building a legacy kennel the right way. 👉 Watch now to hear the full story behind Pinnacle Whippets’ rise to glory. Timestamps: 00:46 Meet Justin and Cheslie Smithey 02:11 Justin’s First Whippet at 16 02:57 Cheslie’s background breeding Papillons with her mother 04:17 Early mentors and influences 07:24 Developing the mental picture of a Whippet 08:48 Foundation bloodlines behind Pinnacle 09:55 What defines a Pinnacle Whippet 10:28 Hardest traits to achieve in the breed 12:56 Ringo: The early foundation sire 17:14 The breeding that changed everything 20:48 Whiskey’s National triumph 22:05 Bourbon’s historic show career 25:00 Breeding Bourbon and building the next generation 27:23 Ivy and continued show ring success 29:48 Future goals for Pinnacle Whippets 30:36 Winning the Whippet National Specialty 32:49 Setbacks and heartbreaks in breeding 34:31 Community collaboration among breeders 37:49 Evolving goals and maintaining quality 41:00 Advice for aspiring breeders 43:34 Legacy and generosity in the breed #PurebredDogs #BetterBreederChronicles #PreservationBreeder #ConservationBreeder #AKCdogshows #AKCNational #ChampionDogs #SportingDogs #JustinAndCheslieSmithey #WhippetBreeder #Whippets #PinnacleWhippets #WhippetNationalSpecialtyWinner

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