Height: 18-22 inches
Weight: 20-30 lbs.
Life Span: 12-15 yrs.
Breed Group: Sight Hounds
Overview
The adaptable whippet can fit in anywhere--city, apartment, suburbs, or
country. These gentle, mild-mannered, and affectionate dogs respond enthusiastically
to obedience training. Neat, clean, and easy to train, they make great family
dogs.
They are friendly with children, get along with cats and other dogs, but
need to be watched around pet rabbits or rodents. Some are very sensitive
to sounds (such as squealing children) so should be exposed to urban noises
at a young age if they are to live in a city.
Appearance
The whippet's long, lean head tapers to the nose; its small ears, called
rose ears, fold over and back to reveal the inside of the ear. The whippet
carries its long, tapering tail straight down or between its legs when not
in motion.
The coat is short, close, smooth, and firm in texture. All coat colors are
seen; common ones include brindle and white or white and fawn.
Grooming & Exercise Needs
Whippets shed minimally and need only a weekly brushing with a rubber brush
or hound glove.
They need several brisk walks and the chance to run in a secured area daily.
Whippets should never be allowed to run off-leash in unsecured areas, as
they can disappear in a flash, traveling at up to thirty-five miles an hour.
Origins
In the 19th century the whippet, probably a cross between terriers, small
greyhounds, and Italian greyhounds, was used in England for the popular
gambling sport of rabbit coursing (racing) in which it would "snap like
a whip" around a small field, snatching up and killing live rabbits.
Special Alerts
Breed-related health concerns: undescended testicles, Demodex mange,
weak digestive tracts.
Reference: AKC - American Kennel Club |
