The whippet is one of the lightest greyhounds, reaching a reduced size compared to other sighthounds. This dog resembles a small greyhound, and was formerly used as a hunting and racing dog. Of British origin, the whippet is a really popular dog, generally because of its slender and elegant appearance. It is an active, playful and very sociable dog that undoubtedly reminds us of the English Greyhound.
If you are thinking of adopting a whippet and have doubts about its characteristics (such as size and weight), its character or the education it will need, you have come to the right place. In this breed file on our site we will detail with you everything you need to know about the whippet dog.
Keep reading and find out all about this lovable, medium-sized sighthound:
History of the whippet
The whippet originated from crosses between the greyhound and terrier-type dog breeds. The crosses made gave rise to one of the fastest dogs currently in existence, capable of reaching 60 kilometers per hour in a few seconds. In fact, the whippet is the dog that reaches the greatest acceleration These dogs were used as racing dogs and hunting dogs for hares and rabbits. Currently these tasks are not common and whippet pets that enjoy a peaceful life without having to work are becoming more and more common.
Physical characteristics of the whippet
Although the breed standard accepted by the FCI indicates that the appearance of the whippet combines power and strength with elegance and graceful lines, it is difficult to appreciate the power and strength of this breed of dog at first sight. On the contrary, a general look of the whippet usually gives one to think that it is a delicate and fragile dog. However, a deeper understanding of the breed reveals strong and resistant dogs, with a very good predisposition to physical activity
The whippet's head is long and thin, flattened at the top. It tapers to the snout, which is also long and thin. The eyes are oval, bright and have a very lively expression. The small, rose-shaped ears are fine in texture. The long, muscular neck is arched. The back is broad, firm and somewhat long, while the loin is strong and slightly curved. The deep chest has a low, well-defined forechest, and is continuous with the abdomen well retracted.
The whippet's tail is long and ends in a sharp point. Although the dog picks it up when active, it never carries it above the back. The coat is fine, short and tight, and can be any color.
The height at the withers that males can reach ranges between 47 and 51 centimeters The height at the withers of females ranges between 44 and 47 centimeters. Weight is not stated in the FCI breed standard, but whippets typically weigh 9 to 20 kilograms
Whippet Character
The whippet is a character dog calm, gentle, sweet and sensitive It can be reserved with strangers, so it is recommended socialize it as a puppy to avoid shyness problems when the dog is an adult. However, some reserve with strangers can be useful if a guard dog that sounds the alarm is desired.
These dogs do not tolerate punishment well, neither physical nor psychological. Positive training works like a charm and is the dog training style to choose for this breed. Clicker training is perhaps the most desirable variant of positive training for training a whippet.
These dogs tend to get along well with children, as long as the latter do not mistreat the dog. They are not dogs that like to play rough and, therefore, they are not the best pets for small children. They do make excellent pets for older children who are able to control themselves and treat their dog well.
It is not easy to have a whippet together with another small pet as these dogs have a strong hunting instinct and tend to chase and catch all small fast moving animals. Several cases have been known of whippets killing other pets, such as cats and rabbits. However, they tend to get along with other dogs.
Whippet care
Due to their thin skin and short coat, these dogs are very sensitive to cold and should be protected with dog clothing when the weather is cold. Otherwise, we will be able to observe how our elegant dog trembles. On the other hand, the whippet's short coat is easy to maintain. Regular brushing and the occasional bath are usually enough. Mind you, the whippet sheds regularly.
They can adjust to living in an apartment, but they need to do vigorous exercise on a regular basis. Don't forget that they are greyhounds and, as such, need to run to release their energies. Therefore, it is best if you have a fenced yard where the whippet can run freely. If you do not have a garden, it is advisable to give the whippet, at least once a day, the opportunity to run freely in a pipi-can or fenced enclosure. With about three walks a day and some time in freedom, our whippet will be really happy.
Whippet Education
The whippet is a shy dog but it will interact easily with other dogs if we provide it with good socialization from its puppy stage. To do this, we will introduce you to other dogs, cats and pets on a regular basis, also people and objects of all kinds. This point is very important if we want the whippet to live with other pets besides dogs. Discover more important things in our complete guide to puppy training.
Like any other dog, the whippet must learn the basic commands that make him feel safe wherever he is. In addition, this will allow him to develop good mental he alth and a good relationship with you.
Whippet He alth
These greyhounds usually live between 12 and 15 years, but they can be subject to some ailments that are relatively common in the breed. Whippets can suffer from cataracts, heart problems, progressive retinal atrophy, thyroid problems, and hypersensitivity to chemicals and medications. In addition, they have very thin skin that can be easily injured.
By following the dog's vaccination schedule and going to the vet every 6 months we can prevent many he alth problems or treat them promptly when they appear.
