small Breed Dogs
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Whippet Dogs
Toy Breed Dogs
Small Breed Dogs



Manufactured Dog Food VS Home Cooked Food
The food that you feed to your dog will have a direct impact on their health. Whether a young puppy who needs great nutrient to properly grow, an adult who needs to maintain weight and energy levels or a senior who can has a sensitive digestive system.

In addition, the choice you make can directly impact behavioral issues, such as eating grass or feces.
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Average Weight:  25-40 lbs. (11.34- 18.14 kg)
Average Height: 18-22 inches (45.72-55.88 cm)
 Pronounced: WIH-puht
 Group:  Hound
Life Span: 14 Years
 Average Litter: 6
 Origin: England

Description

With a name like the Whippet, you better believe that this is a unique small breed dog!  Whippet dogs are very elegant, some classify them in the "medium" sized dog group, as they can reach up to 40 pounds.  This breed is very muscular, and has an extremely graceful outline.  He is a true sporting hound who can cover a maximum distance with a minimum of lost motion.  The long, lean skull is fairly wide between the ears and the muzzle is long and powerful.

The nose is always black on a purebred Whippet dog and the teeth should meet in a scissors bite.  This dog has a keen, intelligent expression with large, dark eyes.  The Whippet has small rose ears, which are find in texture, held back and folded along the neck line.  Even when alert, the fold should be maintained.

As you can see, the neck on this dog is very long and gracefully widens into the shoulders.  The back is broad and firm and the backline runs smoothly from the withers with a graceful natural arch beginning over the loin and carrying through over the croup.  The long tapering tail is carried low and only when the dog is in motion does it have a gentle curve upward.  The paws on a Whippet are  usually hare shaped, however some Whippet dogs have paws that are cat shaped and both are acceptable.  The coat of a Whippet is very short and smooth.

Colors

The Whippet dog may be any color at all.  This includes black, brindle, blue (a faded diluted black), fawn, red (a rich, deep orange), sable, tan and white.  There may also be markings such as white markings on an colored base coat or mask markings.

Personality
Whippet dogs are the fastest domesticated animal in its weight class, capable of speeds up to 35 miles per hour, so if you have a Whippet and they get loose, you better be able to run fast!  When this dog is racing, he is very focused, but when at home as a pet, this breed is known to be rather quiet and and some explain the personality as being modest. 

Although this small breed dog looks delicate, this is not a fragile dog.  This breed is known to be very friendly, very affectionate and with a charming personality.   The Whippet makes a great family companion.

Many Whippets become very attached to their human family members and in many cases will have a hard time controlling themselves when their human returns home, even after a short absence. They may jump and howl out of excitement. For this reason, while the Whippet absolutely loves children, care must be taken if this dog does tends to jump on young children out of excitement.  Training can help to calm this tendency.

Origin & History
The Whippet was developed during the 1800's by breeders whose aim was to produce a dog that was a small Greyhound, but hardier than the Italian Greyhounds and one who was very fast and able to easily chase and catch small game.  Several different breeds were used including the Italian Greyhound, the Airedale, and the Bedlington, Manchester, Yorkshire and English Terriers.

Long ago, the Whippet was called the "Snap Dog".  Some say because while running along a track or when encountering another dog, they had a tendency to snap at one another. Others say that it was because of how they snapped up rabbits.  At one point, Whippet dogs were used for racing and many miners in England would place bets on them.  The breed first appeared in show in 1876 and the Kennel Club of England gave recognition in 1890.  American gave recognition  2 years earlier in 1888, when the breed was brought to the States by English mill workers. 

Health
This is generally a very health small breed dog and this breed is not prone to hip dsyplasia, luxating patella or other conditions that many breeds are.

There are a few things to keep in mind, however. As with all sight hounds, the breed in general is sensitive to anesthetics, so this should always be discussed with the veterinarian before any procedures.

The heart of a Whippet is large and slow beating, sometimes being unsteady when the dog is at rest, which can cause concern to the owner, or to a veterinarian who is not experienced with this breed. The Whippet will demonstrate regular heartbeat during exercise.
Exercise

This happy, active dog needs a good walk each day and some play time of free running to expel pent up energy.  Since most Whippet dogs love to run in a straight line, they can be out of sight very quickly and for this reason it is highly suggested to allow free run and play in an enclosed, safe area.

Shedding

Even very short coated dogs do shed, even though many people do not realize it as it is very minimal. The Whippet will shed usually twice a year, during the spring and fall, however with normal brushings you may never notice.

Grooming
To keep your Whippet's coat sleek and shining, rubbing the coat with a chamois cloth works very well and most dogs love the feeling.

The Whippet dog does not need baths very often, as most do not have the typical "doggie odor" and stay relatively clean.   It is recommended to only bathe when necessary.

When giving baths, using a soft cloth.  Since the skin on this dog is very thin, do take care to never use grooming tools that are firm. A light conditioner can be applied after bathing.  Ears should be cleaned on a regular basis to remove any excess wax, remove dirt and any long hairs should be plucked out.

Due to the thin skin on this dog, it is recommended to apply alone lotion to their elbows, perhaps once a week.

As with all dogs, daily dental care is highly recommended and  ail trimming as needed (every 6-8 weeks).

Care and Training
One thing to keep in mind is that the Whippet's skin is very thin compared to most other types of dog breeds. Cuts and sores can happen easily. An owner must keep this in mind, perhaps when hiking along a trail with prickers or in other situations where cuts could happen.   Owners of Whippet puppies should puppy proof the home with protectors on sharp corners of furniture, etc.  When you perform grooming, this is a good opportunity to check over the dog's whole body for any cuts or sores, which should be given immediate treatment.

If you are thinking about getting a puppy, you may wish to read some important information about purchasing a puppy. Just click here.

If you already own a Whippet or other small breed  dog, you may wish to click here for more detailed are information.

                      
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