Dog
Group:
Hound 
Whippet Champions
You must login to add your Champion Dog to this list.
Pronunciation:
hwĭp'ĭt
Breed Description:
The Whippet breed of dog is a medium sized breed of dog that should be long and lean. They are usually longer than they are tall and should have an athletic build. The top line of the dog should be level or slightly arched and the head should be long and tapered. The ears are half-pricked or rose shaped and the tail should be long and tapered. Usually, the tail of the Whippet has a slight curve at the end, which tucks it under the body slightly.
The coat of the Whippet should be very short and should lie close to the skin. The hair should have a slightly hard texture and it should cover the dog completely. The Whippet can be a range of colors including black, red, white, fawn, blue and cream and they can be solid in coloring as well as marked or brindled.
Temperament:
The Whippet breed of dog is an intelligent and affectionate breed that is known for being a very sweet dog. They generally get along well with everyone, although they can be reserved with strangers. They usually do well with other dogs but the Whippet does have a high prey drive and may hurt other non-canine pets. They are usually very laid back indoors but they do have a large amount of energy when they get outside. The Whippet can make an excellent family pet since they are usually very gentle and patient with children.
Height:
The average height for a Whippet is between 19 to 22 inches for a male and 18 to 21 inches for a female.
Weight:
The average weight for a Whippet is between 25 to 45 pounds.
Health Problems:
The Whippet breed of dog is considered to be a very hardy breed, however, they can suffer from a range of health problems including allergies, von Willebrands Disease, deafness and eye problems. In addition, the breed can suffer from a condition called Anesthesia Sensitivity, which can lead to serious complications including death. It is due to the low fat to body weight ratio that is common in sighthound breeds.
Living Conditions:
The Whippet breed of dog can do very well in apartments since they tend to be fairly inactive and calm indoors. If they have a yard, they should have a fenced yard and owners should never use an electric fence with them since they will ignore it. In addition, the Whippet does better in warmer climates; however, if they live in cold climates, they should be bundled up against the cold. The Whippet should not live outdoors.
Exercise:
The Whippet breed of dog is an active breed and you should expect to give it between 30 to 60 minutes of exercise each day. They should be exercised on leash since the high prey drive of the breed can lead it to run away after other animals. Once a Whippet starts running, there is very little an owner can do to stop them and they can reach speeds of up to 45 miles per hour.
Life Expectancy:
12 to 15 years
Grooming:
The Whippet breed of dog does not require a lot of maintenance and can be kept tidy with only one brushing each week. In addition, the Whippet only requires a bath every few months and can do with only one or two baths a year. In between baths, the Whippet can be kept clean with a damp cloth. Ears should be cleaned on a weekly basis and nails should be trimmed once or twice a month.
Origin:
The Whippet breed of dog was originally known as the working man’s greyhound and was developed in Northern England in the late 18th century. The breed was used for hunting small game and for racing and it was often used by poachers. The breed was also used for ratting competitions and while there is no evidence as to which breeds were crossed with Greyhounds to produce the Whippet, their tenacity leaves many to believe that terrier breeds were used. The Whippet became a very popular breed for both the working and upper class and the breed was refined by adding the Italian Greyhound into its pedigree in the late 1800s. The breed was recognized by the AKC in 1888. Comments
The standards for all the breeds accepted to the AKC are used here for breed information, and those not part of the AKC are resourced from FCI standard information, where it is written and coded into the club rules for those breeds.
