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You are here: Home / Breeds / Standard (Medium) / Whippet Overview

Whippet Overview

The Whippet is a non-shedding sight hound who is easy to house-train and good with children.

Alternate Names

“Poor Man’s Greyhound”
“Snap-Dog” (as in whip)

Appearance:

Body: Long and Greyhound-like with a strong, wide, sturdy back, deep chest, arched loin, and a well-defined rib cage with well-sprung ribs.

Coat: Short, close, smooth, and firm.

Color: Black, white, red, fawn, brindle, blue, cream, and many other colors.

Ears: Small, rose-shaped, finely textured, mobile, and folded over when alert.

Eyes: Large, wide set, oval-shaped, dark brown and alert.

Feet: Small, hare-like and well-knuckled with neat, long, close, well-arched toes, and hard, dense padding.

Head: Long and lean, wide between the ears, tapering towards the muzzle, with a flat top, slight stop, long, powerful muzzle, strong jaw, and liver, white, or brindle colored nose.

Legs: Forelegs are straight and well-muscled with strong, flat bones, elbows well-positioned under the body, and with very thin skin. Hindquarters are wide and strong with well bent stifles.

Neck: Long, lean, tapering towards the nose, elegantly arched, and set into oblique, well-muscled shoulders.

Size:
Weight: 28 – 38 pounds
Height: 18 – 22 inches

Tail: Long and tapering to a tip, carried with a soft upward curve-but not over the back.

Behavior

Recommended for novice dog handlers
Clean, non-shedding, and easy to housetrain
Good with children – toddlers should be supervised

Capable of reaching speeds up to 35 mph, the Whippet, much like a Greyhound, is designed to race. When outside he is an active, energetic, fearless hunting dog who loves to run and play. In the home whippets are quiet, non-aggressive, gentle dogs who will happily curl up on the couch for a snooze. He relishes all the attention he can get from his owner.

AKC Standard says, “Whippets are capable of attaining speeds of thirty-five miles per hour and are genetically programmed to run, jump, and chase. Intelligent, sensitive, and affectionate, Whippets are uniquely individual in temperament.”

With his strong hunting instincts and keen eyesight, he will aggressively chase anything in his sight that moves. He should always be kept on a lead or in a very secure area to prevent him from bolting out into traffic or into other harmful situations.

Though he loves to be outside where he can stretch his legs, his coat is short and won’t adequately protect him from long exposure to the cold winter climates. Coats, sweaters, and boots are easily accessible to help keep him warm.

Breed Type

AKC Group: Hound Group (sight hound)

Originally used for rabbit coursing; sometimes running as many as 30 times a day.

Care and Grooming

Exercise: Long daily walks and frequent runs in the yard to stretch his legs out.

Grooming: Brush his short coat one to two times weekly.

Thoroughly dry him off after getting wet from the rain, snow, or after baths to keep him from getting chilled.

Health

Life Expectancy: 12 – 15 Years

Possible Problems:
Eye defects
Skin Lacerations

Whippets can be sensitive to anesthesia, vaccinations and other drug related chemicals. Check with your veterinarian before administering flea and tick products or other drug related treatments.

Recommended Certificates:
CERF – for the eyes.

Country of Origin

England – 1800s

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