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A medium-sized sighthound giving the appearance of elegance and
fitness, the Whippet denotes great speed, power and balance. In
fact, the Whippet, an English Greyhound in miniature, is the fastest
domesticated animal of his weight, capable of speeds up to 35 m.p.h.
A very versatile breed, they can appear in a wide variety of colors
and markings. Although keen when racing or coursing, they are quiet
and dignified in their owner’s living room. Having evolved for over
a hundred years, it was not until 1891 that official recognition was
given to the Whippet by the English Kennel Club. Used for racing
early on, the breed was nicknamed "the poor man’s racehorse."
Whippets were first brought to America by English mill operators of
Massachusetts, which for many years was the center of Whippet racing
in this country. Later the sport moved south to Maryland,
particularly in Baltimore.
General Appearance
The Whippet looks like a small greyhound. He is graceful and
slender, but actually quite hardy. The fine dense coat comes in many
colors: brindle, black, red, fawn, tigered white or slate blue,
either solid-colored or mixed. The muzzle is long and slender and
the overall impression is one of streamlined elegance. This
miniature-looking greyhound has small rose-shaped ears, an elegantly
arched neck, a deep chest, and its back is long and broad. The
abdomen is retracted, and the tail is pointed.
Temperament
Affectionate, gentle, and sweet, the Whippet is an adaptable
creature with an amiable attitude. These dogs are devoted pets and
companions, and are fine with inexperienced owners as well as the
more experienced. The Whippet does like to have a run around and
play, but is also happy enjoying the creature comforts of home.
These dogs love the attention of their owners, and enjoy interactive
play. He does require daily exercise, and his play area must be safe
and secure, as he is very agile and will be off and away before you
realize. They are very in tune with the emotions of their owners,
and are sensitive and sometimes timid. Early socialization is
important with the whippet to promote a more confident, outgoing
personality. When they put their minds to something and see
something that they think must be chased Whippets are intensely
focused. However, they are also dogs that enjoy snuggling up with
their owners and relaxing on the furniture. The Whippet will get on
well with children, but he is fragile and should not be around
younger, boisterous children that may pester and rough handle him.
Some may be timid around strangers, whereas others will be polite.
They do make good watchdogs, as they will bark is something appears
to be amiss. With early socialization the Whippet should get on okay
with household pets, although owners may want to be cautious around
smaller, running creatures that could be seen as prey. Like other
sighthounds the Whippet is very sensitive to touch, and should not
be startled with unexpected physical contact. Their intelligence,
eagerness to please, and quick learning rate makes these dogs
relatively easy to train, although corrections must always be verbal
because of their sensitive nature.
Grooming
Very easily groomed, Whippets must however be protected from the cold. His short, smooth and silky coat does not adapt well to colder climates. Averagely shedding, occasional brushing to limit shedding should suffice. Bathing every six months should be fine, as the short coat does not trap dirt well.
Health Problems and Life Expectancy
Unlike some dogs that are prone to many health diseases and disorders, the Whippet is typically a very healthy dog. With proper nutrition, exercise and food, they can live up to 15 years of age with minimal health problems. An occasion genetic eye disorder may affect Whippets, but this is rare. Breeders can do a test as a preventative measure if they intend on breeding the dog.
Activity Level
Whippets need exercise just like any other dog. They don't need a
large yard, but should have enough room to go for a good run as they
have a lot of energy to wear off on a daily basis. In addition to
running, they enjoy a nice walk with their family members. It is
important that their yard be fenced and when out of the yard that
they always are leashed. Being part of the sighthound group, they
love to chase what they consider their prey and will run for a long
time and distance before getting tired. Their instinct to chase and
kill their prey is so strong and they are so fast that they may get
away from you before you realize it if not on a leash.
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