Whippet Dog
The Whippet Dog - An Unusual And Loving Breed
The Whippet dog is not a breed we see all that often, which in a way is a bit strange as it makes a great pet. When you first lay eyes on one, you might well think it is a miniature Greyhound, as except in size, it greatly resembles that breed. The Whippet dog is in fact a cross of several breeds, the English greyhound being one of them. One of the terrier breeds is also a part of the Whippet's ancestry, and the Italian Greyhound was at some point added to the mix, giving the Whippet the sleek look we see today, as opposed to the somewhat rougher coat it had originally.
The Whippet dog is gentle, affectionate, generally very quiet, and faster than the proverbial speeding bullet. Originally used to hunt rabbits in England, its speed soon made it a favorite as a racing dog. Rabbit hunting with dogs in England has gone somewhat the same way as has fox hunting, but Whippet races are still extremely popular. In fact there are sanctioned Whippet dog races in the United States as well. Like the Greyhound, the Whippet chases a mechanical rabbit, either on a straightaway, or an oval track, with a standard race being either 220 or 400 yards long.
Small Animals Beware - The Whippet will chase other things besides mechanical rabbits, and kill some of those things given the chance. The Whippet dog is a sight hound, meaning that when on the hunt, it looks for sudden movement. Once it sees a sudden movement, off it goes. Needless to say, when taking a Whippet for a stroll, a leash is mandatory. At the first sight of a squirrel, or your neighbor's cat, running from one spot to another, off goes the Whippet in full pursuit. The Whippet, for all of its gentleness and mild temperament, is a first class predator when it comes to fast moving small animals. Hamsters and Guinea pigs, and probably ferrets as well, are not safe in the same house with a Whippet. The family cat may not be either, unless the Whippet entered the household as a pup, and the cat was an established resident.
A Home Companion - This gentle predator makes a wonderful family pet however. It is an easy keeper in most respects, being very clean and basically odor free, curious, and great with children. Any youngster who is old enough to know how to treat a dog will be perfectly safe with a Whippet. This breed has been described as "quiet and unobtrusive", meaning if you're at home, it is probably always nearby, content to be near you without getting in the way.
Sixteen Yards In One Second - The Whippet is a very streamlined dog. It even looks fast when sitting, or for that matter, sleeping. While it is definitely built for speed, it's not nearly as fragile as it may first appear, in fact it is a rather strong and hardy little dog. When it does choose to run, which can be anytime the opportunity presents itself, it can hit speeds approaching 35 miles per hour, running seemingly without one bit of wasted motion.
Watch You Pillows - Although the Whippet is known to possess a stubborn streak at times, most take very well to obedience training, it being a breed which is generally anxious to please. It is an easy breed to groom and care for, and when well cared, for may live to the ripe old age of 15. If you own a Whippet, you'll find it does require plenty of exercise, so a large fenced yard is ideal in this respect. While it craves attention, just acknowledging its presence from time to time seems to be sufficient. Left alone in the house, Whippets have been known to viciously attack pillows and chair cushions, apparently finding the softness of those items similar to natural prey. Aside from that, they usually offer little in the way of trouble.