The Whippet is a playful,
gentle dog that is much heartier than it looks.
They are the fastest dogs of their weight, and
should not be left off the leash, but should
be allowed to run daily in a safe, enclosed
area. These dogs stand around 50 centimetres
and weigh around 15 kilos. They have a hard
coat, usually a combination of colours, from
white, tan, and black to patched, brindle, and
others. Their ears fold back, and they have
dark eyes with a keen expression. They have
black noses, and teeth that meet in a scissors
bite.
History...
The
Whippet was developed in Great Britain and is
a member of the Greyhound family. They are descended
from dogs brought to Britain during the Roman
invasion. They are fast dogs, racing upwards
of 56 kilometres per hour, and were used in
a gruesome competition sport where dogs "snapped
up" rabbits in an enclosed arena. These dogs
were eventually brought by Lancashire textile
workers to New England.
Traits...
The
Whippet loves to run, but it is a fast breed.
An ideal activity would be to let your Whippet
run around and explore a very secure, larger
yard or lot.
Good
aspects...
The Whippet is a quiet
dog, gentle yet playful. These dogs are heartier
than they look, but love to curl up under blankets.
They make fine dogs for novice owners, and do
well in the city if taken for daily walks. These
dogs also do well with cats and other dogs,
and gain a lot of self- confidence from obedience
training. They also make excellent watch dogs,
and are easily housebroken. In addition, the
Whippet is also an extremely healthy breed,
often living into the mid to late teens.
Health...
These
dogs are very healthy, suffering from few illnesses.
However, they are extremely sensitive to drugs
like flea powders and anaesthetics, so great
care should be taken when treating this breed
with medication. In addition, these dogs are
also extremely emotionally sensitive and may
suffer digestive upsets as a result.
Be
aware...
These
dogs require daily walks or runs, so they belong
with an active owner. They will bolt if let
off their leash, however, and should only be
allowed to run in secure, enclosed areas. They
should also be watched around rabbits and other
small pets. These dogs are very sensitive physically
and emotionally, often responding to stressful
situations with digestive upsets. They can be
hard to housebreak. In addition, these dogs
will snap if startled or touched suddenly and
some develop nervous phobias.
