The Whippet Dog Breed

The Whippet has origins leading to the 19th century. They were a cross between a Greyhound, Italian Greyhound, and Terrier. The Whippet has a wonderful performance on the track, which is where they go its name. They can speed up to 37 miles per hour in just a few seconds. You will find that they were also used for entertainment with gambling in the lower classes of England. They are hunters, sight dogs, watch dogs, and racing dogs.

They have the typical Greyhound appearance in their body shape. They have a very tall appearance with thin agile legs. Their heads are small with pointed muzzle, and moderately floppy ears that point towards the front of their heads when they are listening. They have very short tails. The chest is the thickest area on these dogs. The Whippet can be many colours including brindle, black, red, fawn, white, slate blue, or a mixed colour. You will find that they are going to have a very short coarse coat. Generally their height is about 18 to 22 inches, with about 25 to 45 pounds.

For grooming of the Whippet you will find they need a brushing about once a week. They can be groomed with a wet cloth rather than a comb or brush to remove the dead or loose hair. They are an average shedder so that is not much of a concern when you are looking to adopt one as a pet. You will find that they have a life expectancy of about 12 to 15 years as long as the proper care is provided. You will find that they are prone to upset stomachs and skin issues. So the proper diet must be sought to make them comfortable.

The Whippet is a great athlete, but outside of that you will notice affection, loyalty, and wonderful demeanour for a pet. You should always be kind and respectful as they can be a little sensitive. You will find that they are very intelligent and quick to learn any behaviour you would like to teach them. For the Whippet you can have them around other animals and children. They tend to be aloof with strangers, but this is okay since they make great guard dogs. They are one of the best pets to actually travel with as they love an adventure. You will find they are a perfect companion for someone who wants full time affection and a wonderful temperament. For training you should consider socialization and obedience, but remember be gentle, never harsh. You will also find that they are really great during training as long as it is active and fun enough.

For other care you need to make sure if you live in a cold place that you take precautions. This dog is very sensitive to the cold. They need to have little coats or clothing if they will be outside during winter for a walk in a cold place. They are okay in apartment life, but they do their best in a home that has a small or medium sized back yard where they can run and play. You will need to exercise them daily for a brisk, long walk. You can also allow them to run around and get a little exercise that way. They tend to be very energetic outdoors, but indoors they tend to be sedentary. This means the Whippet really needs to have someone who is willing to walk them and spend a good amount of time with them.