WHIPPET
A brief overview
The whippet is a fast, elegant dog with a gentle nature and a strong bond with its family. Popular as both a racing and companion dog, the whippet combines speed with gentleness, making it a fascinating life companion.
Table of contents
Country of origin
The dog originated in Great Britain.
BREED CHARACTERISTICS
Weight
11 – 18 kg.
Height
Dogs: 47 – 51 cm, bitches: 44 – 47 cm.
Type of hair
Short, smooth coat. All types of coat color acceptable, except marbled.
Life expectancy
12 – 15 years.
Health
The breed is considered healthy, but is prone to skin and limb injuries.
Character
Gentle, affectionate and balanced, with a strong hunting instinct.
Need for exercise
High need for daily physical activity.
FCI classification
Group 10 (sighthounds), section 3 (short-haired sighthounds).
Price
2,000 – 6,000 PLN (ZKwP).
History and origins
The whippet is a relatively young breed that was developed in the 19th century in England. The breed was developed by workers and miners in northern England who needed a fast and maneuverable dog for hunting small game, especially rabbits. The whippet is the result of crossing several breeds, including English greyhounds, small terriers and other small greyhounds. The breed appeared in Poland in the 1970s.
Appearance and physique
The whippet is a medium-sized dog with an elegant and slender body. It has a slim, muscular body with a deep chest and well-defined waist, which gives it a distinctive, agile appearance. Its legs are long and slender, and its paws are adapted for fast running. The whippet’s head is long and narrow, with a finely defined foot. The large, expressive eyes are oval in shape and are often dark. The ears are small, thin and folded, resembling a rose in shape. The whippet’s coat is short, smooth and close to the body. The breed comes in many different colors and patterns, including monochromatic, brindle, with white markings and other combinations. The whippet’s tail is long, thin, tapering at the tip and often carried slightly curved downward.
Temperament and behavior
The whippet is a dog with a gentle, friendly and calm temperament. It is known to get along well with both humans and other animals. Whippets tend to be affectionate and loyal to their handlers, often forming strong bonds with family members. They enjoy playing tag with other dogs, but the pace and intensity of these games can lead to possible conflicts. Properly socialized whippets are also able to accept small animals such as cats, rabbits and guinea pigs in the home, but in the field such animals tend to trigger the chase instinct in them.
Training and activity
Whippets are intelligent and cooperative, but can be somewhat independent, as well as sensitive, so using gentle and consistent training techniques is key. Whippets can get bored quickly, so training sessions should be short and interesting. Whippets are active dogs who love to run. They need daily loose running (in a safe, preferably fenced area), but are short-distance runners. They are also great at dog sports such as agility, dog frisbee and flyball.
Health and life expectancy
Whippets are considered a healthy and long-lived breed, but due to their conformation, speed and high activity, they are primarily prone to orthopedic, skin or paw pad injuries. They may also have conditions such as food and environmental allergies, joint dysplasia, cryptorchidism, alopecia, neoplasia, hypothyroidism, primary lens dislocation, persistent pupillary membranes, deafness, cataracts or hemangiomas and hemangiomas of the circulatory system. It should also be remembered that whippets (like other greyhounds) are sensitive to anesthetics. They also have lower levels of thyroid hormones than other dogs and may have higher blood creatinine levels.
Care and custody
Whippets have a short, smooth coat that does not require complicated grooming. Regular brushing once a week is enough for them. Instead, they are sensitive to temperature extremes. In winter, they may need protective clothing to keep them from freezing, and in summer, overexposure to the sun should be avoided to prevent overheating. They may also require sunscreen. It’s also important to provide them with a comfortable, soft and warm place to rest, especially if you don’t want them to sleep in bed with you (which they usually like very much!).
Diet and nutrition
Whippets do not have any special dietary requirements, but because of their activity, it is worth consulting their diet with an animal nutritionist, especially for sporting dogs.
Maintenance costs
The whippet is a breed with moderate maintenance costs, but you should be prepared for the possible additional costs of treatment and rehabilitation of orthopedic injuries that often occur in them.
Buying or adoption
Breeding of whippet dogs is quite popular in Poland, developing and maintaining a high level. The choice of puppies, whether with predispositions for show, sport or as companion dogs, is really large. An alternative to buying a purebred whippet from a kennel is to adopt a dog from a shelter or foundation. There are foundations in Poland that specialize in greyhounds, but whippets are found relatively rarely. It is easier to find and adopt a hybrid greyhound, which are usually slightly larger than whippets.
Own breeding
Breeding whippets requires commitment, passion and knowledge, just as with other breeds. However, the advantages of whippet dogs are their relatively small size, their low space requirements in the house and the fact that they usually get along well with other dogs. Whippet breeders often have a group of a dozen dogs and they can live in harmony under one roof. However, it is important to keep in mind the requirements for physical activity, grooming and proper socialization. Responsible selection of future puppy guardians is also key, as whippets, as a breed still gaining in popularity, are prone to ill-considered purchase intentions.
Did you know?
Summary
Through the eyes of a behaviorist
The whippet is a breed known for its gentle temperament and remarkable elegance. They are intelligent and quick to learn, but need varied training and a gentle approach. They are very attached dogs to their handlers, which means they can exhibit separation problems if they are not taught to stay home alone. Whippets need regular exercise to expend their energy and avoid behavioral problems associated with boredom. Despite their energy, they tend to be quiet at home and enjoy lazing on a soft couch. Their sociable and friendly nature means that they usually get along well with children and other animals, provided they are properly socialized from puppyhood.
Through the eyes of a veterinarian
The whippet is a breed that generally enjoys good health. However, due to their slender build and low body fat content, whippets are more sensitive to cold temperatures and may need extra protection in winter, such as warm clothing. Whippets are also susceptible to injury, especially during intense physical activity, so it is important to provide them with the right conditions for safe running.
