Other names/Nicknames:
- Snap Dog
Country/Date of origin:
- England
- 19th century
Height:
- Females: 18 to 21 inches
- Males: 19 to 22 inches
Weight:
- 28 pounds
Personality:
- Gentle and affectionate.
- Gets along well with other dogs and indoor cats.
- Extraordinarily clean in its personal habits. Almost cat-like.
- Adores being pampered.
- Intelligent and more trainable that most sighthounds.
History:
About 150 years ago, Greyhounds were crossed with several different breeds of terrier to produce a dog that would be speedy enough to course rabbits but small and agile enough to go after rats. The dogs were known as the poor-man’s greyhound and were traditionally run over a 200-yard course. They were called snap dogs because the owners stood at the finish and urged them on by snapping rags to attract their attention. Whippets are one of the fastest dogs for their weight and can reach speeds in excess of 35 miles per hour.
Body Type:
- A slim, racing dog that looks like a miniature version of the Greyhound.
- Rose ears, carried close to neck, are not altered.
- Long, tapering tail is carried low and is not altered. It is used as a rudder when the dog is turning at high speed.
Coat:
- Short, glossy coat that lies close to the body.
- Any color allowed. Few other dogs come in as many variations as the Whippet.
- Minimal grooming.
Health and Wellness:
- Cryptorchidism.
- Pattern baldness.
- Idiopathic onchodystrophy.
- Demodecosis.
- Hemangiosarcoma (cutaneous).
- Hemangiomas (actinic).
- Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC, actinic).
What you should know:
- Whippet track racing is a popular sport in the United States. They run a shorter course than their Greyhound cousins, but it is just as exciting to watch them chase the mechanical bunny.
- Whippets do not like the cold. If you fancy a dog that will willingly wear a fashionable coat, this is the breed for you.
- The delicate appearance of the Whippet is misleading. This dog is more robust than it looks.
- Adapts well to city life, if given a good leash walk once a day.
