The Whippet was bred in Britain as a result of a careful selection and crossing of small Greyhounds and certain Terriers. His original purpose was to chase and capture small game. Today he is considered one of the most stylish of breeds — equally at home as a family companion or running in races at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour!
He is a medium-sized member of the Sighthound family and looks very similar to the Greyhound, except smaller. He is gentle, sensitive, affectionate, and very calm and quiet when in the home but capable of great stamina when in the sporting mode. The Whippet excels at coursing and racing and his natural athletic talents and quick mind make him ideal for agility, flyball, obedience and disc dog competitions as well.
A devoted and loyal companion, the Whippet, with his trusting and unsuspicious nature, does not make the ideal watch dog as he is generally friendly to strangers.
The close, smooth and firm textured coat is low maintenance and may be of any colour or combination of colours.
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Health Issues:
The Whippet as a breed is generally healthy and not prone to many of the illnesses that afflict other breeds. They are not prone to ear infections, skin allergies, digestive problems, nor is Hip Dysplasia a problem. The average life expectancy of the Whippet is from 12 to 15 years.
Like all members of the Sighthound family, the Whippet is sensitive to a number of anesthetics. This should be discussed with your Veterinarian in advance of any required surgery. For additional information, see: Anesthesia in Sighthounds from the Saluki Club of America, as well as A Safe Method of Sighthound Anesthesia by Rodger I. Barr, DVM.
As with any breed, if you are considering the adoption of a Whippet puppy, it is very important to be selective in choosing a responsible and reputable breeder. Because the Whippet breed has been found to have genetic eye problems, on the rare occasion, it is recommended that breeders have the eyes checked on their breeding stock. Ensure that the prospective puppy's parents have the recommended health clearances. (For more information on selecting a breeder, see the articles on the main Breed Listing and Breeders page.)
Additional Health Resources:
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Breed Standards:
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Training Resources:
- Training — For information on training your Whippet, see this growing section of Canada's Guide to Dogs for tips, articles, as well as listings of training centres across Canada.
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Additional Information:
- Lure Coursing is... — Information about Lure Coursing from the Lower Mainland Whippet Association.
- Lure Coursing — From the Sports and Activities section of Canada's Guide to Dogs.
- Straight & Oval Racing — From The American Whippet Club
- Clubs, Sports & Activities — This section of Canada's Guide to Dogs inlcudes information on various sports and activities, including Lure Coursing, Agility, Obedience, and much more. In addition, listings of non-breed specific clubs from across Canada are available here. (Note: For Whippet specific clubs, see the Breed Clubs section.)
- Whippets and Other Sighthounds — A very informative website dedicated to Sighthounds explaining why a Sighthound thinks and acts differently from other breeds of dogs.
Ch. Lepus Sauron, RChX (aka "Sam")
