Whippet Information
Is a whippet a miniature greyhound?
No, but whippets trace their roots to greyhounds. The whippet originated in England in the 1800s. Its ancestors probably include the greyhound, the Italian greyhound, and the Bedlington, Manchester, and English White terriers. Whippets were once called snapdogs, because of their ability to snap up and kill rats and hares. They were also referred to as the "poor man's race horse," as they were often kept by coal miners who raced them for sport and perhaps used them in poaching small game. These early whippets were often the most valuable thing the working man owned, and they lived in their owners' houses, sleeping by the fire or curled up in bed with their people. Many were said to be fed better than the miners' own families. The whippet is 18" to 22" at the shoulder, and generally weighs between 25-45 pounds. The coat is short and close, requiring little grooming, but whippets do shed as much as any other dog.
What are whippets like to live with
First of all - close! They may look cat-like and aloof, but most of these dogs are real snugglers. They like being with their people all the time and will want to share your bed as well as the sofa if you'll allow it. A whippet is not a dog you can expect to lie quietly on the floor at your feet, he'll be curled up next to you on your chair. They're sometimes referred to as "Velcro dogs." With a whippet in the house, you may have more company than you want in the bathroom, and if you go out to the mailbox, you might be greeted just as enthusiastically upon your return as you would be after a two-week absence. This is not the breed for you if you need a little more distance between you and the dog. Occasionally you may encounter an aloof whippet, but that's not true of most of them.
Whippets are playful but gentle dogs. In addition to being one of the most affectionate breeds, whippets are also funny, clever, and playful. They're mischievous (especially as puppies) and often have their own agendas, which they'll try to put ahead of yours! As born athletes, they're capable of leaping onto kitchen counters and "surfing" for snacks, jumping onto chairs and tables to reach things they'd like to play with or eat, and balancing on the back of the sofa to look out the window.
Is the temperament similar to a greyhound?
Somewhat, but whippets are more active. Both have lots of prey drive (the instinct to chase and kill fast-moving prey). Both have periods of energetic play and running and then collapse into "couch potato" mode. But a whippet is more liable to follow you from room to room, to jump up on the furniture, and in general, be more active during the day than a greyhound.
Are whippets hypoallergenic?
Shedding and allergic reactions to dogs are not really related. People who are allergic to dogs are sensitive to the dog's dander, not the fur. All dogs shed except for the hairless breeds. Some breeds are promoted as hypo-allergenic and they do seem to cause fewer problems than other breeds. These dogs usually have dense, curly coats that keep the dander, as well as the fur, on the dog until it's brushed out or clipped. Whippets are not considered hypo-allergenic. Since they have short coats, they don't leave wads of hair around the house, but they definitely shed as much as any other dog. This is usually most noticeable in the spring and fall. If you brush your whippet thoroughly once a week, you'll minimize the amount of fur you find around the house.
Are whippets noisy?
This is not generally a very vocal breed, and some hardly ever bark at all. The most common reason for a whippet to bark is that he has learned that he gets what he wants by barking. There are exceptions, however, and many of them do bark a lot when they're playing. Also, a whippet left alone too much may well voice his displeasure by barking and whining.
Are whippets destructive?
Most bored dogs can be destructive, and whippets are no exception. Adult whippets are no more destructive than any other breed. Whippet puppies are pretty mischievous and energetic, and because they are extremely agile, they can manage to get in a lot of trouble! A puppy should always be crated when you're not supervising. He needs toys and lots of things to chew and play with to keep him occupied. Keep in mind that the whippet is more athletic than other breeds, it's not hard for him to climb or jump out of pens or over puppy gates. So while he may be no more destructive than any other young, unsupervised dog, he is able to reach more trouble than other breeds! Whippets seem to "mellow out" around two years of age and the older ones–five years and up–are exceptionally easy to live with.
Do I have to use a crate for a whippet?
Crate training is always a good idea. A crate-trained dog is less upset when left at the vet or kennel and at home, the crate provides a safe place to leave your dog while you're away. Also, the only really safe place for a dog riding in a car is inside a crate.
Do whippets like children?
Most whippets seem to have a natural affinity for kids. These dogs are not nearly as delicate as they appear and are usually excellent with gentle children. As long as a child is old enough to know how to treat him and is taught how to play with dogs, a whippet is a good choice for a child. However, a young child should never be left alone with a dog of any breed. This is important. Interaction between a child and a dog must be closely supervised, for the protection of both. All dogs will bite in some circumstances, and a whippet is no different. Keep children away from dogs who are eating or sleeping. Any dog who is sleeping when a child's foot lands on his ribcage or tail is very likely to bite before he knows what's going on.
Can I keep a whippet mostly in the yard?
No, whippets are house dogs. They are not psychologically or physically suited to being kept in a yard. They certainly enjoy, and need, a daily romp in the yard or an hour or so spent stretched out in the sun, but you should not plan to leave your whippet in the yard indefinitely. Because of the low percentage of body fat they carry, these dogs have very little natural insulation against the elements. They overheat rather easily and they suffer terribly from the cold. If you don't plan on keeping your dog in the house, you should choose a dog more suited to outdoor life.
Are whippets hard to train?
A whippet isn't going to make you famous in the obedience ring, but he is eager to please, and with patience, you can teach a whippet nearly anything! Rough corrections, however, are worse than useless. Hurt your whippet's feelings or try to force him, and he'll quit on you in a hurry. You'll get the best training results with lots of patience, treats, and praise. Whippets are Sighthounds, bred to hunt without commands from the hunter. While generally not stubborn, they're independent and not the easiest breed to train. Don't let that discourage you: They are very intelligent and all can learn house manners easily, like sit, down, and stay. Some do well with more advanced obedience, including obedience competition. Many excel at lure coursing (chasing a plastic bag pulled by a string) and racing and are also talented in agility and flyball competition.
Must a whippet be kept on a leash all the time?
All dogs should be taught to obey, whether on or off a leash. But remember that a whippet is bred to chase. Something (a cat, a squirrel) may catch his eye and he'll be gone, at up to 35 miles-per-hour. Other breeds that run off will usually come back in no more than a few hours if they don't get hit by a car. At the speed a whippet runs, he may be miles away by the time he stops chasing and by then, he may be quite lost. Of course all dogs should be taught to COME when called, but very few whippets ever reach 100% reliability, especially when tempted by the prospect of a chase. Again, it's training versus instinct. A whippet should be either leashed or in a securely fenced yard every time he's out.
Security is critical. It is amazing how quickly the worst can happen, and the first time a Sighthound gets away from you can easily be the last. It's easy to become casual about it when your whippet is generally obedient and calm. Remember that if he's okay off-lead 99 times out of 100, that 100th time could be the day you lose your best friend.
So what qualities make a good whippet owner?
In general, an owner who is involved with his dog, who considers his dog part of the family, and who has an easygoing nature himself is happiest with a whippet. This isn't usually a dog that likes to wrestle and play rough-and-tough games with the boys. A whippet prefers a relatively quiet household. He's sensitive to human emotions; lots of shouting and door-slamming may make him nervous. He likes to run and enjoys life with a physically active person, but he also loves to snuggle and, as long as his exercise needs are met, does just fine with a largely sedentary lifestyle. Whippets are an excellent choice for people looking to explore various activities with their dogs. They excel at agility, flyball, lure coursing, and straight and oval racing. Due to their affectionate and gentle natures, they are the very best therapy dogs as well as psychiatric service dogs.
Whippets are versatile and adaptable. You find them happy in rural settings and in New York apartments, with large families and single people who live alone. They live in mansions or shacks, go to racing events and shows or stay home on the couch. A whippet is company for a lonely senior citizen or a handicapped child. He goes to Little League games with his family or stays home with a bedridden owner. There's no one lifestyle that's right for a whippet.
Whippets are not right for everyone, but they're the only breed for some. And remember, whippet owners say they're like potato chips, you can't have just one!
From AWC Whippet Rescue Web Site
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