Whippet

 

Briefly about the Whippet dog

• The Whippet is an ideal companion that adapts well to both domestic and sporting environments.
• The breed is friendly, affectionate and stable, and is a distinct herd animal.
• The whippet can also participate in various activities such as agility, rally obedience and lure coursing.
• In terms of health, it is important to be aware of testicular deficiency and a few cases of cleft palate and the eye disease PRA.
• The breed has a balanced combination of muscle power and strength with elegance and beautiful line play.
• The Whippet’s coat is fine, short and requires little care.

Characteristics and temperament

The Whippet is an ideal companion that adapts well to different environments, whether it’s at home on the couch or more sporting activities. Known for being friendly, affectionate and stable, the breed tends to be a distinct pack animal. Many people who get a Whippet end up having several of the breed together. The area where the Whippet performs best is definitively running. The Whippet comes on easily at high speeds and it has been measured that it has run as much as 56.3 km/h.

Activities and training

Although the Whippet is not particularly well known in sports such as agility, rally obedience or track trials, there has been a growing trend in recent years to train the Whippet in such activities as well. Although the training requires a slightly different approach than with breeds such as the Border Collie, it is quite possible to have fun with the Whippet in these disciplines. A popular sport for the Whippet is trick coursing, where the dogs hunt a fake hare.

Health and follow-up

Although the number of individuals with health problems is relatively low compared to the population as a whole, there are some health aspects that you should be aware of. Testicular deficiency (cryptorchism) is currently the biggest problem in the breed. Cleft palate in puppies and PRA (eye disease) can also occur, although the extent of these has not yet been mapped. It is also important to be aware of heart defects and heart murmurs, which can occur in a few individuals. In such cases, it is important to have the heart examined by a specialist.

Size and appearance

The Whippet has a balanced combination of muscle power and strength combined with elegance and beautiful lines. The breed is built for speed and work, and it is important to avoid exaggeration. The height at the withers for male dogs should be between 47-51 cm, and for bitches between 44-47 cm.

Fur grooming

The whippet has a fine, short and dense fur structure which requires little care. The coat is easy to care for, and there is no need for much maintenance. All colors and color combinations are allowed in the breed.

History

The Whippet was approved by the English Kennel Club in 1890, but the breed has a long history. The modern form of the breed was developed by northern English miners in the 18th century. The origin is not fully established, but it is believed that the Whippet was bred by crossing small Greyhounds with 2-3 different long-legged terrier breeds. The breed was nicknamed “the poor man’s race horse” in England, when the workers were as gambling-crazy as the upper class, but did not have the same financial resources. The Whippet was a more affordable dog in every way, but still almost as fast as a Greyhound and thus suitable for racing.

Want to learn more?

For more information about the Whippet, NKK (Norwegian Kennel Club) recommends contacting the breed club. The breed club is the expert on the breed, has an overview of breeders and has knowledge of the breed’s health. You will find the link to the breed club at the bottom of this page. The breed club can provide you with further guidance and information about the breed.

Good luck exploring this great breed!Supporting Sources: AniCura , Animal Life , Animal Bar .