Whippet

Whippets are the fastest domestic animals of their size. They can reach speeds of 35 miles per hour. But they are also quiet and well-behaved in the house. They are smart, loving, hardly little dogs who can live in the city.

Whippet breed facts

The Whippet was originally bred to pursue and capture small game.

Whippets are a quiet and intelligent breed, and do not bark unnecessarily.

Information you should know before owning a Whippet

The Whippet is a hardy, tough, swift and powerful athlete with a stable and steady disposition.

Whippets can be aloof and may bark at strangers as they can become protective of their home. They are very friendly with family and those they know.

Whippets are very adaptable, fitting in well with children, others dogs and even cats.

The Whippet, an English Greyhound in miniature, is the fastest domesticated animal of his weight, capable of speeds up to 35 m.p.h. As well as an animal of beauty, grace of outline and smoothness of action, he is also a very charming, affectionate and intelligent pet. The Whippet is extraordinarily keen when racing or coursing, though in the living room he is quiet, dignified, unobtrusive and above all highly decorative. Contrary to external appearances, he is by no means delicate or difficult to care for. He makes an ideal dual-purpose small dog for an owner of discrimination.

As a breed the Whippet is not one of our oldest, having evolved for over a hundred years it was not until 1891 that official recognition was given by the English Kennel Club. It is said that when barbaric pastimes such as bullbaiting, bearbaiting and dogfighting began to lose favor, a "milder" entertainment of coursing rabbits in an enclosure called "snap-dog coursing" came into play. At first the breed was known as "snap-dog", named for the dog that snapped-up or caught the most rabbits. It will be noted that this ignoble pastime in which the rabbit had absolutely no chance of escape, differed greatly from legitimate coursing in the open with Greyhounds and was purely a gambling proposition. Later they were used primarily for straight racing, then the Whippet was nicknamed "the poor man’s racehorse."

Whippets were first brought to America by English mill operators of Massachusetts, which for many years was the center of Whippet racing in this country. Later the sport moved south to Maryland particularly in Baltimore.

From the standpoint of the fancier, Whippets make an ideal exhibition dog. With their medium size and smooth coat they are neither difficult to transport nor keep in condition. Their quiet demeanor in the ring makes them a pleasure to show.

Is this a vulnerable breed? Yes, No	No
What size is this dog? Small, Medium, Large	Medium
How much excercise is required? 30 mins a day, 1 hour a day, Over 2 hours a day	1 hour a day
How long is this dog's coat? Short, Medium, Long	Short
How much grooming is required? Once a week, More than once a week, Every day	Once a week
Does this dog shed? Does shed, Does not shed	Does shed
What area is this dog best suited to? Town, Country, Either	Either
What size house is required for this breed? Flat/Apartment, Small House, Large House	Small House
What size of garden is required? Small Garden, Large Garden, No Garden	Small garden

	General Appearance Balanced combination of muscular power and strength with elegance and grace of outline. Built for speed and work. All forms of exaggeration should be avoided.
	Characteristics An ideal companion. Highly adaptable in domestic and sporting surroundings.
	Temperament Gentle, affectionate, even disposition.
	Eyes Oval, bright, expression very alert.
	Mouth Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
	Neck Long, muscular, elegantly arched.
	Forequarters Shoulders oblique and muscular, blades carried up to top of spine, where they are clearly defined. Forelegs straight and upright, front not too wide, pasterns strong with slight spring, elbows set well under body.
	Body A very deep with plenty of heart room, brisket deep, well defined, broad back, firm, somewhat long, showing definite arch over loin but not humped. Loin giving impression of strength and power, ribs well sprung, muscled on back.
	Hindquarters Strong, broad across thighs, stifles well bent, hocks well let down, well developed second thighs, dog able to stand over a lot of ground and show great driving power.
	Feet Very neat, well split up between toes, knuckles well arched, pads thick and strong.
	Tail No feathering. Long, tapering, when in action carried in a delicate curve upward but not over back.
	Gait / Movement Balanced combination of muscular power and strength with elegance and grace of outline. Built for speed and work. All forms of exaggeration should be avoided.
	Coat Fine, short, close in texture.
	Colour Any colour or mixture of colours.
	Size Height: dogs: 47-51 cms (181/2-20 ins); bitches: 44-47 cms (171/2-181/2 ins).