Whippet

Appearance

Whippet
Whippet Quick Summary
Also Known As
OriginEngland
SizeSmall-medium
Height (at withers)18-22in (46-56cm)
Weight25-40lbs (11-18kg)
Hair Colour(s)Varies
Lifespan12-15 years
Energy LevelMedium
Litter size6-8
SheddingLow
GroomingLow
Barking TendencyLow
Exercise requirementsHigh
Ease of trainingMedium
Suitability for kidsMedium
Animal compatabilityMedium
Aggression levelsLow
Distress if leftLow

The Whippet is an elegant and fragile looking dog. The svelte body is moderately long with a very deep chest, well sprung ribs, long and strong legs, well arched loins and a long tapering tail. The head is long and lean with bright eyes, small folded ears and a black nose. The coat is short and smooth and comes in many colours including black, white, red, brown, blue or cream.

Temperament

Whippets are gentle and sweet dogs that, despite being capable of great speed, are generally calm and often spend most of their day sleeping. Affectionate with amiable attitudes, these dogs make devoted companions and family pets, although early socialisation is important to promote confident and outgoing personalities. These are active dogs that love to run and play, but being adaptable, they also love to relax and enjoy the creature comforts of their homes. These dogs are sighthounds and are very sensitive to touch, and so can be startled easily with unexpected physical contact. Whippets are intelligent, quick to learn and eager to please, which makes them relatively easy to train, although they can be sensitive too and so corrections must be verbal and positive. For these reasons they are suitable for novice owners as well as the more experienced. Whippets get on well with older, more considerate children, but are not suitable for smaller kids because they are quite fragile and do not like to be handled roughly. With early socialisation they can get along with other household pets, although caution is required around smaller animals that may tend to run, as they may be seen as prey. Their reaction to strangers can range from timid to polite to friendly. They do not make very good guard dogs due to their natural trusting natures, but they do make effective watch dogs, as they will bark if something appears to be amiss.

History & SKills

Whippets originate from England, in particular the North, and were developed from Greyhound and Terriers. They were cheaper to feed than Greyhounds and were very skilled at chasing rats and rabbits, hunting by sight rather than smell. One of the fastest breeds in the world, Whippets were also developed as a racing dogs and can reach speeds of up to 35 miles per hour. They are proven very successful competitiors in lure chasing, straight racing and oval track racing, and are also popular show dogs not to mention companions and family pets.

Breed Specific Ailments

Whippets tend to live between 12-15 years and are a pretty healthy breed on the whole. Some of the health problems that have been noted include cataracts, lens luxation, heart problems, hip dysplasia, SA, PRA, thyroid problems, ear infections, skin allergies, and sensitivity to chemicals and drugs. Their skin is also very thin and can damage easily, and they can be sensitive to cold.

Grooming

Whippets are low shedders, and so are suitable for those with allergies. Their grooming requiremnts are also low, and the coat will simply need an ocassional brushing and wiping with a damp cloth to keep it looking sleek and in good condition.

Exercise & Environment

Whippets tend to live indoors because they are sensitive to the cold thanks to their thin skins. They can be suitable for small homes too, and prefer to live close to their families. Although gentle and subdued when indoors, these dogs were bred for running and so need regular exercise. They will need a daily walk on the leash, access to a secure yard or garden are for play, and preferably the chance to really stretch their legs and run, supervised and away from traffic of course.