Whippet Profile

Other Names:  Snapdog

Country of origin: Great Britain

Dog Group Kennel Club:  Hound

General appearance:

Whippets have a similar appearance to greyhounds but are smaller and finer.  They are of medium size with an elegant and sleek appearance and are built for speed. The Whippet has a short, tight, and smooth coat. Firm in texture, yet soft. Coat does not adapt well to colder climates so this breed needs a considerable amount of protection from cold weather. Coat should remain fairly weather resistant given the length, and texture. The Whippet is a lean muscular athletic dog with an aerodynamically designed body. Their coats are fine and short and they are very clean dogs. They are both working or racing dogs and ideal companions.

Colours:

Any colour

Size:

Bitch          44 - 47cms

Dog            47 - 51cms

Weight:

                           Min                 Max
 
Bitch         12.5kg (28lbs) 13kg (29lbs)

Dog            12.5kg (28lbs) 13kg (29lbs)

Temperament:

Whippets are usually affectionate and gentle dogs and will spend large amounts of time sleeping.  They are quiet and generally good with children and families. They have an adaptable personality so can live and thrive in a variety of environments. Amiable, docile, yet high energy, the Whippet makes a wonderful child's companion providing the child knows how to handle a dog. Rather independent, this breed is also a quick learner but does require consistent training methods and variety as they bore quickly. The Whippet is a very sensitive breed and should never be roughly handled, as shyness is a factor.

Movement:

Free and fast with a long stride.

Care and training:

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.Any shampoo used should be gentle without harsh ingredients as these may cause reactions in the sensitive skin. Eyes and ears should be checked when grooming and his teeth will benefit from regular brushing.

The Whippet does best in a home with a gentle and warm handler. Being very intelligent, they are also independent which does require a bit of variety to keep them interested. Does well in working and obedience, the Whippet loves to run and would do exceptionally well in a sprinting sport. The whippet is an intelligent and adaptable dog but can be slow to learn and the owner must be patient and gentle. Whippets can be trained for agility and obedience in addition to their racing, working and companionship roles.

Overall Exercise: 60 - 80 minutes per day.
Whippets are capable of short sharp bursts of fast running but are spirited enough to spend a long day of exercise if required. They will be happy to walk or jog with their owners and, although in need of daily exercise, are not too demanding. They are happiest on level, clear surfaces, uneven ground may lead to injury, particularly when travelling at speed and rough vegetation can tear their skin.

Feeding requirements:

The Whippet is generally not a fussy eater, often with a small appetite but requires a good quality, easily digested diet. They may become overweight if overfed or underexercised.

Exercise: Med

Grooming: Low

Noise: Low

Personal Protection: Low

Suitability As Guard Dog: Low

Level of Aggression: Low

Compatibility With Other Animals: High

Suitablity for Children: Medium

Often docked?  No

Average litter size: 4 - 8

Life expectancy (yrs): 12 - 15

Health issues: The Whippet may get sunburned and they are sensitive to cold. They also may have delicate bones, or genetic eye diseases.

History: Developed from the Greyhound with the possibility of a cross between breeds such as the Pharaoh Hound and various terrier breeds. The other half of the Greyhound cross is unsure. They were developed  into a fast little dog used for hunting rabbit and later on racing. Known in Britain as the "poor man's racehorse," the Whippet were expected to earn their keep at the races, which they did! The Whippet has turned out to be the fastest dog breed, racing up to 36 mph!Earlier, terriers were tried out in rabbit racing, in which they miserably failed due to the speed of rabbits. Therefore, they were replaced with the Whippet. Later when using live rabbits was banned in England, racers turned to using lure or rag racing.