ABOUT US Theo and I, Liz, are the team behind 'Elite Greyhound'. Theo has been involved with greyhounds for just over 40 years and I have been involved with them since I met Theo, which is now 12 years ago. Theo is a bricklayer by trade and a handier bloke around the house one couldn't find. He is also a accomplished landscape artist, but greyhounds just fill every minute and second of his day. I am a fully qualified dressmaker/designer by trade, and have had the good fortune to secure a job at a local veterinary clinic in 2003, and am now a fully qualified Cert IV veterinary nurse, working part time. We own a couple of acres in Benalla, and together we breed and whelp and rear our own dogs. Greyhounds we have both been involved with include Speed Dancer and her offspring, 'Cadmium', 'Trendy Jack' and now our very own stud dog 'Andy Palmer'. Speed Dancer's days of racer and broodie are long gone and these days she is the ultimate house dog, albeit toothless, but a very much loved family member. Outburst (owned by Theo and Leo Dahl) produced amongst others 'Hotburst', dam of pure burst. '. 'Redburst' has produced a litter by 'Andy Palmer'. Sadly we lost Redburst to bone cancer, but she lives on in her pups from her 'Where's Pedro' and 'Andy palmer' litter. What started as a small quest, has now grown into the business called 'Elite Greyhound'. The quest? A barking muzzle. A local saddlery made one. It would have fitted a cross between a horse and a dog. From there, things were taken a bit further, and the making of leads and collars, yard collars and clip leads, bark muzzles and even made horse halters and bridles for a while. A small number of local trainers reaped the benefit from our product as we would just hand it out with a 'tell us what you think of this one'. The living room was transformed into a workshop, for approximately 3 months. The neighbours thought we were renovating our house with all the banging going on, and Theo had to move everything outside, to a work area which was squashed between outside dog kennels, walking machine and a big freezer. A big industrial sewing machine takes pride of place in the living room, and that is where it still is. I do all the stitching on the collars and the leads. This year Theo finally built a small workshop under the carport, complete with air conditioning. We pride ourselves in a couple of things. Our product range is handmade by us in Benalla. It is not factory made, nor is it imported. We try to source local raw materials as much as possible. Our product range has been established and seemingly seems to grow. We provide a service par excellence to the wider greyhound community. We are able to make leads, collars, clip leads, catching leads, bark muzzles and head checks to your specifications. The materials we use are Apollo Strapping, genuine leather and polyester woven webbing. As our company has grown, so has our product range, and it only takes a question from someone about making a different type of product and off we go again. We see our business as a service to the broader greyhound world, and in such we guarantee that you will not be disappointed by our products. Should it be, that you find yourself along the Hume Freeway, either going to Melbourne or Sydney, and you see the Benalla sign, drop in for a cuppa and a 'doggy' chat. If you have any questions please contact us by email: greyhound@people.net.au Or simply give Theo a ring on his mobile 0404 499 385. We currently sell our products direct from the Shepparton Greyhound Racing Track on Monday night and special race meetings.