Whippet

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The Whippet was used for hunting rabbits and small game in England. Not raced like their closely related Greyhound relatives. They can still run up to 35mph.

They are friendly, calm and loving dogs. This could be the perfect breed if you are looking for a companion for your family or household.

Whippets need plenty of exercise and playtime. They could make the perfect jogging partner; you will need to be able to commit to daily long walks and endless games to keep them happy. They will need to be able to have a good run so that they can use their speed at least a couple of times a week. Once indoors, they will be happy to be couch potatoes with you, and they can cope well with apartment living.

Remember, a bored dog will usually become mischievous, whether it be nuisance barking, chewing or digging. Try to ensure they are occupied with jobs, playtime or plenty of exercise to keep them out of trouble.

They are great all-around dogs. They love being with you and your family. They are fantastic and gentle with children of all ages. They will run around the garden for hours playing with older children. They have short hair and love nothing more than to snuggle with you and become a lap or sofa dog.

They can be a little wary of strangers and maybe slightly timid. With good socialisation, you should be able to curve this. They will be friendly with people once accepted into the house.

Whippets should be OK with other dogs, but they may be better as the only dog in the household. Cats may also be OK if brought up in the same home, but there have been cases of Whippets killing cats, so you might not want to chance it. They were bred to hunt small animals, so they are quick and will typically chase neighbourhood cats with delight. Make sure they can’t escape from your garden.

They are very sensitive and intelligent dogs. You will need to identify their reward motivation early for the best results. With sensitive dogs, be sure to keep the training fun and interesting, don’t treat them harshly or forcefully. They make sulk or hide from you.

Their hair is low maintenance, it’s short, and they shed relatively lightly all year round. It tends to shed worse during autumn and spring as they change their coats. Weekly brushing will be enough to keep it under control.

Whippet Stats

Man has used dogs to help him hunt for centuries, and different types of hounds have evolved to deal with the various prey. Larger, heavier hounds would have been needed to deal with wolves and wild boar, but in areas where small deer, rabbits or hare were hunted, the speedier, more agile Greyhound type of dog would have been more suitable. The more enclosed area meant that a smaller hound would have been preferred over the Greyhound.

  • Weight -6kg –14kg
  • Size – 44cm – 51cm
  • They live for 12-15 years

Best Trait – Quiet

Worst Trait – Needs lots of exercise

Categories: Dog Breeds