Whippet

Origin and History

The Whippet is a sighthound developed in England for rabbit hunting and racing, resembling a smaller version of the Greyhound. Because of its extraordinary speed over short distances, it was known as "the poor man's racehorse."

Appearance and Coat

It has a medium-sized, slender, elegant and extremely athletic body. Its very short, fine coat comes in various colors; it needs almost no grooming, but its delicate build makes it sensitive to cold.

Personality and Temperament

The Whippet is gentle, calm and affectionate; at home it is extremely quiet and docile and loves to cuddle. It is attached to its owner, gets along well with children and rarely barks. Outdoors, however, it is a determined hunter that runs with explosive speed; it has a strong prey drive.

Care, Exercise and Training

Its short coat needs almost no grooming, but it may need clothing in the cold. It needs daily off-leash running, but because of its strong prey drive a secure, fenced area is important. Its sensitive nature calls for gentle, reward-based training.

Health

It is generally a very hardy and healthy breed. Sighthound-specific anesthesia sensitivity, heart murmurs and a breed-specific muscle mutation (MYH — "bully whippet," DNA test available) may occur. Regular check-ups are recommended. The Whippet is ideal for individuals and families looking for a calm, quiet and affectionate lap dog who can provide a safe running area.