Whippet Dogs

Breed: Hound

Height: Male: 19-22 inches, Female: 18-21 inches

Weight: 25-45 pounds

Coat Type: Short and smooth  

 

The Whippet dog is a lively, active and playful breed with resemblance to a small Greyhound. Though the dog is fun loving and energetic, it tends to be shy at times. It is a hardy mid-sized sighthound and hence, makes a great household companion. The Whippet dog is famous for some its varied talents like hunting, sighting, watchdog, racing, agility and lure coursing. The dog is known to be the world’s fastest domesticated animal for its weight, with a speed of 37 mph (60 km per hour). Being extremely sensitive both physically and mentally, the dog should never be roughly trained. Read through the following lines to know more about the Whippet dog breed.

 

The Whippet dog has been developed from the cross breeding of Greyhound, Italian Greyhound and other terrier type dogs in the late 19^th century. The dog has been named Whippet, after the phrase ‘whip it’, which means ‘to move quickly’. Since its origin, the dog has been used as a race tracker to hunt games in open areas at high speeds. Eventually, this coursing became a form of gambling for the lower classes in England and hence, the dog was nicknamed as the ‘poor man’s racehorse’. The Whippet dog breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1888 and by the English Kennel Club in 1891.

 

The Whippet dog is a medium-sized canine with an appearance similar to its cousin, Greyhound. The dog has a large and lean skull with a fairly wide space between the ears. The long muzzle tapers straight to the nose. The nose can be found in three dark colors that are black, dark blue and dark brown. The ears are small and rose-shaped, which are held back and folded. The ears get semi-perked when the dog is excited. The dark eyes are oval in shape. The long tail tapers to a point at the end. The tail is usually held low with a slight upward curve near the end. The dog has a short, tight and smooth coat that can be found in shades of different colors and marking patterns. The colors can be black, white, red, fawn, slate blue, brindle, cream, tigered white, either solid-colored or mixed.

 

Though the Whippet dog is amiable and docile, it is highly energetic. Intelligent, lively and affectionate. The dog makes a devoted companion that stays quietly and calmly in the home. The dog makes an excellent pet with children of all ages provided it is not teased or roughhoused. It is an excellent watchdog and is aloof with strangers. Though it is good with other dogs, cats should be kept away from these dogs, as they are likely to kill the feline. With sufficient exercise, this breed can stay well in an apartment with a small yard. Since it is an outstanding racing dog, it is a top competitor in various activities like lure coursing, straight racing and oval track racing.

 

The Whippet dog is generally healthy and does not suffer from frequent ear infections, skin allergies or digestive problems, unlike other dog breeds. However, genetic eye defects and undescended testicles are common in this breed.

 

Since the Whippet dog is sensitive to the cold season, it should be worn a coat and protected from winters. The short, smooth and silky coat of the dog is easy to groom. The dog should be rubbed regularly with a damp chamois to keep the coat gleaming. Since the short coat does not trap dirt easily, a bath in every six months with a firm bristle brush is sufficient. The dog is an average shedder.