Post by Jane on Jul 13, 2011 12:45:16 GMT -5
Introduction
The Whippet as a breed is a relatively modern dog, developed in Northern England in the mid to late 19th Century. The origins of the whippet are not aristocratic. Greyhounds were crossed with small terriers to produce a small, swift hound capable of hunting rabbits and other small game. The dogs were bred and wisely selected by the coal miners of North England. The whippets earned their keep in short races. The term whippet comes from the expression "whip it" meaning to move quickly. Coursing whippets was an entertaining form of gambling for the lower classes in England. They were often referred to as "the poor man’s racehorse."
Appearance and Temperament
Whippets are a very slim, lithe, coursing hound that are quite strong and muscular for their small size. They have a triangular-shaped head with medium ears that can stand erect when listening, and then fold compactly beside the head in what is known as a “rose” shape at other times. Large, round eyes are part of their overall expression. They have quite a variety of coat colours and designs. Their coats can be solid, brindled or tigered. Solid backgrounds of white, slate, sable, fawn and black can also have spots of another solid colour. The coat of a whippet is short and smooth but not particularly dense which makes the use of coats or sweaters necessary in all but the warmest temperatures. Males average 19 – 22 inches in height and weigh from 30 to 45 lbs and females average 18 – 21 inches in height and weigh from 25 – 35 lbs.
Whippets are intelligent, lively, affectionate, sweet, and docile. They are generally quiet and gentle dogs in the house, content to spend much of the day sleeping on the couch. They are clean, virtually odour free, easy to care for and easy to travel with. They may be aloof with strangers. Whippets train easily but get bored quickly, so need variety. They should never be roughly trained as they are extremely sensitive both physically and mentally. They may never be perfect in obedience as they are very independent.
Adapting to Home Life
Many whippets that are found as strays will have previously been kept outside and so will need to adapt to life indoors. Once adequately exercised they are calm and quiet in the house and love nothing more than a warm environment with access to a soft bed. Whippets aren’t the dog for you if you want a dog that stays off the sofa! Whippets, given time should also adapt to crate training easily. Their crates become their safe den where they can escape during hectic and scary situations.
Feeding
Whippets should be fed a good quality complete dry dog food. Dry is better for their teeth than wet.
Whippets with cats/small furries/other dogs
Whippets have a very strong prey instinct which can make them see small, furry animals as potential game. They will pursue and kill cats and other small animals if given the opportunity. Whippets can and do live with cats and other small furries but should never be left unattended with them, even if they have been raised with them. Even if your whippet is good with cats and small furries inside don’t be complacent outdoors. A neighbour’s cat in your garden could trigger the whippet’s chase instincts, as could cats encountered out on walks. You will be advised if the dog you are choosing is considered suitable to home with a cat and the rescue you are getting your dog from should provide you with all the information you require to safely introduce your new dog to your cat and enable them to live in harmony.
Whippets are generally good with other dogs. As whippets have such thin skin, care should be taken when allowing your whippet to socialise with other dogs.
Whippets and Children
Most whippets seem to have a natural affinity for kids and make great family pets. They are usually excellent with gentle children. As long as a child is old enough to know how to treat him and is taught how to play with dogs, a whippet is a good choice for a child. Children and babies should never be left unattended with the dog. Children must be educated to be calm and gentle with the dog and have respect for its needs and its bed. Interaction between a child and a dog must be closely supervised, for the protection of both. All dogs will bite in some circumstances, and a whippet is no different. Children should be kept away from dogs that are eating or sleeping.
Exercise
Whippets are one of the fastest domesticated animals known and can reach speeds of 35 miles per hour when coursing or chasing prey. Once they receive adequate exercise, they are docile and sedate pets in the home. They don't require much more exercise than dogs of a similar size, but whippets ideally need a daily chance to run. As whippets are bred to chase, something may catch his eye and he'll be gone. At the speed a whippet runs, he may be miles away by the time he stops chasing and by then, he may be very lost. Very few whippets ever reach 100% reliability, especially when tempted by the prospect of a chase and as such should only be let off lead in a totally secure area.
Health
Whippets are prone to stomach upset and skin problems. Bloat and torsion are two situations that they are prone to but that can be avoided by offering small meals twice a day and limiting activity immediately after feeding. They are sensitive to the cold. Wearing a coat is required outside in the winter. A sweater is sometimes needed indoors. Whippets generally have a life-span of about 12 to 15 years.
We hope we have provided some useful information for anyone thinking of adopting a whippet.
The Whippet as a breed is a relatively modern dog, developed in Northern England in the mid to late 19th Century. The origins of the whippet are not aristocratic. Greyhounds were crossed with small terriers to produce a small, swift hound capable of hunting rabbits and other small game. The dogs were bred and wisely selected by the coal miners of North England. The whippets earned their keep in short races. The term whippet comes from the expression "whip it" meaning to move quickly. Coursing whippets was an entertaining form of gambling for the lower classes in England. They were often referred to as "the poor man’s racehorse."
Appearance and Temperament
Whippets are a very slim, lithe, coursing hound that are quite strong and muscular for their small size. They have a triangular-shaped head with medium ears that can stand erect when listening, and then fold compactly beside the head in what is known as a “rose” shape at other times. Large, round eyes are part of their overall expression. They have quite a variety of coat colours and designs. Their coats can be solid, brindled or tigered. Solid backgrounds of white, slate, sable, fawn and black can also have spots of another solid colour. The coat of a whippet is short and smooth but not particularly dense which makes the use of coats or sweaters necessary in all but the warmest temperatures. Males average 19 – 22 inches in height and weigh from 30 to 45 lbs and females average 18 – 21 inches in height and weigh from 25 – 35 lbs.
Whippets are intelligent, lively, affectionate, sweet, and docile. They are generally quiet and gentle dogs in the house, content to spend much of the day sleeping on the couch. They are clean, virtually odour free, easy to care for and easy to travel with. They may be aloof with strangers. Whippets train easily but get bored quickly, so need variety. They should never be roughly trained as they are extremely sensitive both physically and mentally. They may never be perfect in obedience as they are very independent.
Adapting to Home Life
Many whippets that are found as strays will have previously been kept outside and so will need to adapt to life indoors. Once adequately exercised they are calm and quiet in the house and love nothing more than a warm environment with access to a soft bed. Whippets aren’t the dog for you if you want a dog that stays off the sofa! Whippets, given time should also adapt to crate training easily. Their crates become their safe den where they can escape during hectic and scary situations.
Feeding
Whippets should be fed a good quality complete dry dog food. Dry is better for their teeth than wet.
Whippets with cats/small furries/other dogs
Whippets have a very strong prey instinct which can make them see small, furry animals as potential game. They will pursue and kill cats and other small animals if given the opportunity. Whippets can and do live with cats and other small furries but should never be left unattended with them, even if they have been raised with them. Even if your whippet is good with cats and small furries inside don’t be complacent outdoors. A neighbour’s cat in your garden could trigger the whippet’s chase instincts, as could cats encountered out on walks. You will be advised if the dog you are choosing is considered suitable to home with a cat and the rescue you are getting your dog from should provide you with all the information you require to safely introduce your new dog to your cat and enable them to live in harmony.
Whippets are generally good with other dogs. As whippets have such thin skin, care should be taken when allowing your whippet to socialise with other dogs.
Whippets and Children
Most whippets seem to have a natural affinity for kids and make great family pets. They are usually excellent with gentle children. As long as a child is old enough to know how to treat him and is taught how to play with dogs, a whippet is a good choice for a child. Children and babies should never be left unattended with the dog. Children must be educated to be calm and gentle with the dog and have respect for its needs and its bed. Interaction between a child and a dog must be closely supervised, for the protection of both. All dogs will bite in some circumstances, and a whippet is no different. Children should be kept away from dogs that are eating or sleeping.
Exercise
Whippets are one of the fastest domesticated animals known and can reach speeds of 35 miles per hour when coursing or chasing prey. Once they receive adequate exercise, they are docile and sedate pets in the home. They don't require much more exercise than dogs of a similar size, but whippets ideally need a daily chance to run. As whippets are bred to chase, something may catch his eye and he'll be gone. At the speed a whippet runs, he may be miles away by the time he stops chasing and by then, he may be very lost. Very few whippets ever reach 100% reliability, especially when tempted by the prospect of a chase and as such should only be let off lead in a totally secure area.
Health
Whippets are prone to stomach upset and skin problems. Bloat and torsion are two situations that they are prone to but that can be avoided by offering small meals twice a day and limiting activity immediately after feeding. They are sensitive to the cold. Wearing a coat is required outside in the winter. A sweater is sometimes needed indoors. Whippets generally have a life-span of about 12 to 15 years.
We hope we have provided some useful information for anyone thinking of adopting a whippet.