Whippet - description and characteristics of the breed

Origin story

The history of the breed begins in the 15th-16th centuries; it was during this time that the first mentions of its name date back. The ancestors of the whippet were greyhounds - large dogs whose size did not allow many ordinary people to keep them. They ate too much, took up a lot of space, and were difficult to maintain.

Then the crossing of greyhounds with representatives of smaller breeds began. The goal of the breeders' work was to breed a dog with the same skills and speed as the Grays, but with a smaller size. At first they were called simply small greyhounds, then the name whippet stuck to them forever.

The word "Whippet" literally means "whip", which describes the speed of the breed. It is so high that it looks like the blows of a whip or whip.

The peak of popularity of the small English greyhound came in the 19th century, when greyhound racing began to spread throughout England. The owner of the whippet had a breadwinner - he went hunting with the pet, entered it into races, which also brought profit. In 1891, the final breed standard was approved. Today whippets are common in different circles and are often used to participate in exhibitions.

History of the breed

The history of the Whippet begins with the appearance of another greyhound, the Greyhound, in England. It was from her that they originated. But the Greyhound is a large dog that requires a lot of care and a lot of food, and not everyone could keep it.

The middle class needed a smaller dog and breeders in northern England began selecting the smallest Greyhounds and crossing them with other breeds.

It is known that among them there was an Italian greyhound, extremely popular at that time.

There is no doubt that they crossed with terriers, it is believed that one of them was the Bedlington - a terrier that is common in this region and is distinguished by long legs.

Small greyhounds at that time were called whippets or "Snapdogs". The term first appears in 1610, but was then applied to a different type of dog.

The English word "Whippet" comes from "whip" and means whip. They were called so for their high speed, similar to the blow of a whip.

At some point, whippets began to be called small greyhounds. It is unclear when this happened, but after 1788, since the Encyclopedia Britannica published that year does not contain any mention of this breed.

In the 19th century, a significant part of the British lived in cities and greyhound racing became very popular. The Whippet is called the "poor man's greyhound" or "poor man's greyhound."

He has a really high speed, although it is determined by the size of the dog, and breeds like the Greyhound or Saluki are capable of reaching the maximum. However, if we consider speed regardless of size, the Whippet is the fastest breed in the world.

It can accelerate to 64 km/h. In addition, they are able to make sharp turns without losing much speed.

At that time, the whippet is one of the important components of the family budget. On the one hand, he is able to hunt an animal, on the other hand, he can successfully compete in dog racing and win money. Since that time, they have been bred to achieve maximum speed, although their hunting qualities are also in demand.

The 19th century whippet was a little different from the modern one, much less refined and more like a mongrel. Some have clearly visible terrier traits, they do not resemble either small greyhounds or purebred dogs.

Over time, the upper class of society became interested in the breed. At this time, dog shows come into fashion and breeders want to get more spectacular dogs. Their goal is to get a dog that looks like a classic greyhound, but not as big.

As a result of breeding work, the features of other breeds begin to disappear from the appearance of the Whippet. The breed was first recognized by the English Kennel Club in 1891 and has since gained great popularity for its grace and sophistication.

Description of the breed

Whippets have a breed description similar to Greyhounds, which is why they are sometimes called “reduced Greyhounds.” However, the characteristics of the structure of some parts of the body have fundamental differences. The peculiarity of whippets is their gracefulness, which evokes admiration in such a large dog. Their body is curved in a beautiful arc, the stance is so excellent that it seems that the animals were born to participate in exhibitions.

According to the official breed standard, whippets have the following parameters:

• adult dog weight – 10-12 kg;
• height at withers – 44-51 cm;
• elegant, oblong head shape, tapering towards the nose;
• straight, even teeth;
• small nose, color depends on coat;
• the eyes provide a wide viewing angle - located far from each other, but not deep;
• eye color depends on color;
• small pink-shaped ears;
• body structure – athletic, long, arched back;
• neck oval, slightly arched;
• the belly is tucked up; when the dog runs quickly, a fold forms between it and the undercut of the groin;
• the tail is thin, but muscular, very tense when running;
• The paws are powerful, the hind paws are wider and more stable than the front paws.

A running whippet looks especially graceful, causing admiration for the harmonious structure of its body. In ordinary life, its appearance is also unique; the animal has charm and charm, which attracts the attention of many lovers of four-legged animals.

Colors

The coat of the breed is short and thick. Its length is the same throughout the body, there is a small undercoat. Initially, the Whippet was bred for practical purposes; humans used the dog as an assistant. Because of this, breeders did not pay much attention to appearance, especially colors.

Absolutely any colors of the Small English Greyhound are allowed. Monochromatic representatives of the breed are rare; most often the wool contains several shades. The most common of them are white, black, blue, gray colors. The chest is often white. Blue whippets are the most prized breed for showing.

The long-haired whippet was considered defective for a long time. Now this variety is recognized, but is not in great demand; you rarely see such a puppy.

Visual features

The Whippet dog breed has the following appearance features:

• The head has a fairly wide forehead with a weak transition from the nose to the forehead, the outline of the cheeks and cheekbones is faintly visible. Lips are tightened.
• The dog has powerful teeth and a correct bite.
• The small movable nose has a color similar to the earlobe. The absence of pigments is found only in albino whippets.
• The oval eyes are set quite widely apart. Dogs usually have a good-natured look.
• The body is quite strongly built, the neck has an impressive length. The line of the abdomen bends significantly towards the groin.
• The hind legs are more powerful and are spaced quite widely. The front paws are located almost under the body, the toes with claws are slightly bent.
• The tail is short, but quite strong. Most often it is located at the same level as the spine.
• Females reach approximately 48 cm in height, and males - 51 cm. Moreover, the weight of the animal does not exceed 10-12 kilograms.

The dog's coat fits tightly to the body and grows evenly. There are no clear criteria for fur color, but albinos are considered the most unusual individuals.

Albinos are not allowed in special exhibitions, but loving owners and connoisseurs of aesthetics will be able to see the beauty in the snow-white and graceful whippet.

We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the photo of the whippet to determine its main visual features.

Character

Representatives of the greyhound family are dogs bred for work; they were widely used for hunting, for guarding, and for other useful purposes. Because of this, they are loyal to their owner, but have a strong character and are able to live independently. Each species has its own differences; whippets differ from other breeds in their strong attachment to humans.

They are companion dogs that require daily close contact with their owner. Often they “get under his feet”, trying to constantly accompany him. The docile nature makes the breed suitable for older people. Getting along with children is also possible, but only if you treat your pet with respect.

If there is a child in the family, it is important to explain to him that the dog requires good treatment. In response to constant rudeness, your pet may resist the urge to bite, but will want to retaliate in other ways, experiencing great stress in the process.

Living in an apartment is optimal for representatives of the breed; if necessary, they can live in the courtyard of a private house. If a pet lives on the street, it still needs constant walks and spending time with its owner.

The hunting instinct remains in the blood of the small English greyhound dog, so they do not get along well with other domestic animals. A whippet and a cat, rodent, or other small pet will not be able to find a common language. If you approach the issue of upbringing competently, it is possible to teach a dog to live with other animals that appeared in the house before it. However, if she calmly accepts the owner’s cat, she can tear apart the neighbor’s cat in a minute.

Care

Whippets have a smooth, short coat that requires minimal grooming. Dogs of this breed, despite the length of their fur, still shed. Of course, you won't find clumps of fur in the house like owners of long-haired breeds, but the Whippet also sheds like any other dog, especially in spring and autumn.

A good coat brushing once or twice a week will not only help reduce the amount of hair in the house, but will also keep your dog happy. To keep your whippet's coat smooth and shiny, dry your dog with a piece of cloth.

Fortunately, the whippet does not have the characteristic dog odor, so you should bathe your dog only when necessary. When bathing, it is recommended to use a stiff bristle brush for combing and a soft rubber glove after brushing.

Like other dogs, whippets require the same set of grooming procedures, such as trimming nails, cleaning ears and teeth. When bathing whippets, it is recommended to use cotton balls to plug the dog's ears to prevent water from getting into them. You can use a moisturizing cream for grooming a whippet behind the elbows.

While performing grooming procedures, carefully examine the dog's body. Because of their short fur, these dogs are susceptible to cuts, scrapes and bruises, which may require treatment. Whippets, like other dogs, need exercise. They do not need a large area, but they do need plenty of space to run around and shed. accumulated energy.

Dogs of this breed love family walks. As part of a group of hounds, they love to chase and can chase prey for long distances until they become tired. Their pursuit instinct is so strong and they are so fast that they can run away from you before you realize you haven't got the dog. on a leash.

It is worth keeping in mind that every dog ​​is individual. This description is typical for the breed as a whole and does not always completely coincide with the characteristics of a particular dog of this breed!

Care and maintenance

If a whippet lives in the yard of a private house, then in winter it should still move into the house. This is also required in extreme heat; keeping a pet outside all year round is impossible. This is due to the short hair of the representatives of the breed and the lack of subcutaneous fat. Dog handlers recommend conditioning the animal if you plan to take it hunting. In other cases, you can simply stock up on warm clothes for a walk in frosty weather.

Daily walking should be at least twice a day, preferably for an hour. This time can be used for practical purposes by combining walks with training. Experts explain that when a whippet swims, runs, especially behind a bicycle, its muscles become stronger. Such active walks contribute to the normal well-being of dogs.

Combing, bathing, and grooming are required as the coat becomes dirty. During the molting period, it is recommended to comb the animal twice a week; usually the hair does not fall out profusely. Given the short length of the coat, it is necessary to use a rubberized brush for short hair so that the pet does not experience discomfort.

Care also involves regular examination of the dog, especially the eyes and ears. If an inflammatory process is detected, you must contact a veterinarian. If you have chronic ear diseases, you may need to wipe the organ daily with a cotton swab soaked in a solution prescribed by your veterinarian.

Feeding

Feeding with natural products requires time and effort from the owner to prepare dishes, but has advantages: the possibility of diversifying the diet, using fresh products. The dog's diet should consist of meat (preferably beef, lamb, horse meat), boiled boneless fish, vegetables, and cereals. The best cereals are rice and buckwheat. It is advisable to stew vegetables and serve them along with porridge and meat.

The most useful vegetables that many representatives of the breed like are zucchini, carrots, and pumpkin.

When feeding dry food, the pet must receive a sufficient amount of vital vitamins and microelements. Therefore, it is better to use only premium food. The advantage of this method of feeding is that it requires a minimum of time, it is easy to calculate the portion, and the pet receives everything it needs for good health.

If your dog has allergies, using dry food is especially practical. With the help of a veterinarian, you can choose the appropriate option, then give it throughout your life.

Whippet care

The Small English Greyhound is undemanding in care; even a novice dog breeder can handle it. The first big advantage of such a pet is the possibility of keeping it both in a private house and in a city apartment. Such a dog will be an excellent city dweller, even if there is not too much space - its dimensions are very compact. Considering its hunting purpose, the whippet will need a lot of physical activity - walks should be daily and take from 1 to 3 hours. In safe areas, you should let your dog run around. In winter, short-haired pets cannot stay outside for a long time, so it is better to reduce the walking time and put on warm clothes for the dog.

In the cold season, the whippet will have to be dressed for walks

Caring for a whippet requires compliance with the following rules:

• Quality food. Whippets have sensitive digestion, so all food must be of high quality and fresh. Industrial food should be chosen from the holistic or super premium category, designed for medium-sized animals (Hill's Science Plan for adult dogs of medium breeds, Applaws Dry Dog Lamb Small & Medium Breed Adult, etc.). A natural diet must include: meat (more than 60% of the daily portion of food),
• vegetables and unsweetened fruits,
• greenery,
• fermented milk products (cottage cheese, kefir),
• safe cereals (rice, buckwheat, etc.).

Training and education

Whippet training should begin from the moment it arrives in the house. The gentle nature of a pet and its attachment to its owner do not mean that they can be allowed to relax. The hunting instincts of representatives of the breed must be controlled, energy directed in the right direction.

When raising, it is also important to take into account the innate sense of independence inherent in whippets. It is important to combine gentle handling of your pet with strictness. The quick wit and high intelligence of the representatives of the breed allow them to quickly remember commands, but it takes time to achieve unquestioning obedience.

Agility, a popular sport among dogs, is widely used to develop the physical fitness of whippets. Training involves going through various obstacles that allow you to develop speed, flexibility, intelligence, and reaction. For high-speed whippets, this will be a good part of their training.

Character and intelligence

Each individual has a unique character, so it is almost impossible to predict in advance what your future pet will be like. But there are some common traits that are characteristic of most representatives of the breed. Whippets are annoyingly affectionate and loving. There is a belief that whippets are psychics. But, most likely, this myth arose due to the fact that greyhounds are extremely sensitive to their owners.

Small greyhounds are characterized primarily by boundless devotion to their owner and enthusiasm. They almost always follow their owner around the house.

Attitude towards children and others

Whippets are one of the few breeds that are cold towards small children. If a child gets too naughty while playing with a dog, the dog will simply leave. But at the same time, whippets are not aggressive towards children. They can even be made friends, but for this the dog will have to be raised and trained properly, and the child will have to be explained how to handle it correctly.

Training and education

Small greyhounds are practically the smartest among other greyhounds and quickly remember commands. Due to their high intelligence, they are often used for hunting and racing. But in monotonous lessons the animal will get bored. Representatives of the Whippet breed take offense at poor treatment. If your pet is disobedient, do not physically punish him or yell at him.

Despite the fact that whippets are vulnerable and sensitive, you should not play along with them. A spoiled animal will be disobedient. The key to success is to insist on your own.

Diseases and life expectancy

Typically a whippet lives 12-15 years. Representatives of the breed are distinguished by good health, like most other greyhounds. Sometimes the following diseases occur:

• Deafness – Whippet puppies may be born deaf or lose it in the first few weeks of life;
• ophthalmological diseases, most of which can be cured with timely detection and appropriate treatment;
• diseases of the circulatory system;
• viral diseases, especially plague and rabies.

To prevent viral infection, like some other illnesses, you must complete all recommended vaccinations.

How to choose a puppy

When choosing a puppy, you need to contact a trusted kennel that offers dogs with documents. It is easy for non-professional dog breeders to fall for the trick of scammers by purchasing a non-purebred whippet. It is also recommended to pay attention to the following factors:

• health, characteristics of the puppy’s parents, usually breeders provide documents on participation in exhibitions and other achievements;
• appearance, compliance with the breed standard;
• no defects;
• presence of hearing (given the prevalence of deafness among representatives of the breed);
• activity, disposition, behavior of the puppy.

Timid, fearful puppies will not grow up to be active, energetic dogs. Hunting instincts and high speed when running are reflected in the behavior of representatives of the breed immediately after birth.

Comparison of breeds

Some people have to choose, before getting a pet, between a Whippet and a Greyhound, Italian Greyhound, or Saluki. Each breed has its own characteristics:

1. Whippet and Greyhound. Grayhs are larger in size, but otherwise the appearance of the dogs is similar. Whippets are less tolerant of rudeness, but their main advantage is their developed guard skills.
2. Whippet and Italian greyhound. Italian Greyhounds are distinguished by their smaller size and character - these pets are more active in the house, they are not inclined to sleep for a long time or lie in their place. Whippets are more skilled watchdogs.
3. Whippet or Saluki. The Saluki is a Persian greyhound that differs from the English greyhound by its higher intelligence. If there are children in the family, it is better to get a whippet, he is more tolerant and calm.

In addition to general behavioral characteristics, each dog has individual character traits. Therefore, when choosing a puppy, you need to spend some time with it, carefully observing the animal’s disposition.

Pros and cons of the breed

The following are the advantages and disadvantages of the breed:

Where to buy and price

The average price of representatives of the breed is 25-35 thousand rubles. The Small English Greyhound dog is of average popularity in our country. You can buy it in the nurseries “Love Story”, “Volar Black Shark”, and others.

If you decide to purchase a Whippet, you will get an amazingly graceful dog with a unique appearance. Of all greyhounds, representatives of this species are distinguished by their strong attachment to their owner, good attitude towards children, and companionship skills. However, hunting instincts require proper education and timely training.