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The Whippet is a svelte and agile dog that looks very similar to the Greyhound (but smaller). Despite their slender frame, this dog breed is actually very quick and graceful. Whippets can come in an array of colors including brindle, black, brown, grey, red, fawn, white, or multi-colored. Their coat is extremely short, but it is also very thin and dense. The slim muzzle is elongated and it tapers to the nose, and their ears are small and rose-shaped. Whippets have long, arched necks, slightly sloping backs, retracted abdomens, and short, pointed tails. Despite the fact that Whippets are a sporting breed, they are certainly wonderfully loving and devoted pets. Before bringing home a Whippet dog, you should know what to expect from the breed so that you are sure that this dog is right for you and your family.
Since Whippets are very calm and docile indoors, they are suitable for apartment living, as long as they receive daily exercise. They are very good with children so long as kids understand not to play rough or antagonize the dog. When training a Whippet dog, it is important that you are not too stern or forceful because they will become nervous and depressed – they are sensitive pooches! Rather, train Whippets using games and variety and lots of positive feedback – never physical or mental “roughness.” Whippets can sometimes be difficult to housebreak, but owners need to be patient and calm with their learning pups.
Whippets are incredibly fast dogs. In fact, they are the fastest known dog breed – they can get up to thirty or more miles per hour for short distances. It’s truly remarkable – they are even faster than their larger ancestor, the Greyhound. They love sprinting, and they should be given plenty of opportunities to show off their natural talents! A leashed walk isn’t going to satiate your Whippet’s need for speed. In addition to at least one leashed walk per day, a Whippet should be allowed some time to run free in some safe open space, such as a large backyard. Make sure that the backyard is secured with a tall fence so that your Whippet cannot escape – they are instinctive hunters with strong chasing instincts!
In light of the fact that Whippets are natural-born hunters (as they were bred to be), it is important that potential owners know that dogs of this breed will chase and kill small animals if they can find them, even cats. If they are raised alongside a housecat from puppy age, then they are likely to accept that cat and leave him or her alone. However, you cannot make the assumption that a Whippet will not kill a stranger cat just because the dog isn’t aggressive towards his housemate kitty. If you were to bring a kitten into your home after already having a Whippet, your likelihood for encountering problems would be very high.
The life expectancy for Whippet dogs is between twelve and fifteen years, although some can surpass that average by several years. Whippets are a predominantly healthy dog breed; however, they are prone to some skin and stomach problems. Due to their short and thin coats, Whippets are very sensitive to extreme cold. Therefore, in cold climates, a warm doggie jacket should be worn outdoors at all times. Whippets are very easy to clean and groom. To maintain their coat’s shiny luster, rub regularly with a damp chamois and brush with a firm-bristled brush. Another upside to this breed is that they do not give off the characteristic “dog smell” – they are basically odor-free.
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