The Whippet is a medium breed dog with endless amounts of love to give. Curling up on the couch or running after rodents, this dog has an infectious smile and playful attitude. Slight and slim they are good for any living situation as long as plenty of exercise is provided. They have been the companions of ancient royalty and modern families showing the versatile nature and loving heart. Just be careful they don not dash off into trouble, it is hard to stop a dog running 36 mph into traffic.
Physical Description
This thin medium height dog is a dream to keep. They are small and efficient so a large home is not required. They have a thin coat so skin problems like sunburn or irritation may occur. This can be avoided with proper diet and careful outside exposure. Some longhaired whippets exist but not many. They have small heads and long snouts allowing for 250 degrees of sight with great eyes capable of night vision. Coloration will vary greatly from solid colors to brindle, spots, and stripes. All of which can be present in one litter of cute tiny puppies. Overall, the Whippet is a beautiful, graceful companion.
Temperament
A dream temperament accompanies the beauty of the Whippet. They are loving and eager to please. Training with positive encouragement is important; they are sensitive and likely to react badly to negative behavior. Whippets make perfect play companions and play partners because they have two speeds: 36 mph and zero. If they are not running after a ball or small animal, they sleep curled up on the couch. This makes them perfect for the active person who wants a constant companion.
Whippets play well with other dogs but having a cat in the house may prove difficult. When raised with cats and taught that they are friends not food, a cat and whippet can live together. However, introducing a Whippet to a cat environment without proper training could result in a dead cat.
History
Whippet like dogs are seen in many ancient paintings, however those are Italian Greyhounds. The Whippet was not bred until 1610.Greyhounds were bred with terriers in northern England for a more effective small rodent hunter. They were recognized in the late 1800’s by the AKC and BKC as a separate breed because they become popular for lure racing. Known as the ‘poor man’s thoroughbred’ they were bet upon in this popular sport when horseracing became too expensive.
The combination of a Whippet’s racing, hunting and companion abilities have made them the most popular sight hound. This loving dog needs a pack leader owner and room to run, other then that this dog fits in anywhere and is as happy as can be. With these favorable conditions, a better companion cannot be found.
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