Whippet (small English greyhound)
The Whippet, also known as the Little English Greyhound, is a natural-born athlete and hunter, but he is also an excellent companion with an affectionate and docile nature.
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History of the breed's origin
The origin of whippets remains open and controversial. One theory holds that these dogs were bred by English miners in the 19th century. The workers couldn't afford large greyhounds, but they desperately wanted hounds for hunting and racing, and thus the whippet was born. There is no information on what breeds may have played a role in their development.
According to another theory, the breed's history is much longer and richer. Whippets' ancestors may have been the Pharaoh Hounds, who arrived in the British Isles with the Romans. As if to confirm this, the Louvre houses an ancient sculpture of a whippet-like dog. Small, slender dogs appear in paintings from the 14th to 16th centuries.
Regardless, these small, avid hunters and runners became especially popular in 19th-century England. At the time, there were two varieties of Whippets. The first type was smooth-coated and bred primarily in Lancashire, Yorkshire, and the Midlands. This became the modern Whippet. The other type, which had a rough coat due to crossbreeding with the Bedlington Terrier, was not widely distributed or further developed.
The English name of the breed, Whippet (also known as "whippit"), comes from the phrase "whip it" – "to chase." In the seventeenth century, whippets began to be used to describe hounds used to hunt fast animals, such as hares and foxes. They received official recognition in 1890. In 1903, the first standard was adopted, which has remained virtually unchanged to this day.
Video review of the Whippet breed (small English greyhound):
Appearance and standards
The Whippet's entire appearance suggests it's built for speed. Its movement is perfectly free, with a light stride and a well-maintained topline. When running, the dog seems to float above the ground, with its forelimbs extended forward and its hindquarters tucked under its body, providing powerful propulsion. It's been called a big sighthound in a small package. Its height at the withers is 44-51 cm, and it weighs around 10 kg. The Whippet is the golden mean between a miniature and a small dog. Italian greyhound and large greyhound.
Head and muzzle
The skull is long, lean, flat at the top, fairly wide between the eyes and tapering toward the end of the muzzle. The stop is slightly defined. The eyes are oval. The ears are small, soft, and well-set. The jaws are strong, clearly defined, and have a correct bite. The nose color may vary depending on the coat: black, blue, or brown. Partial pigmentation is possible, but a completely pink nose is not acceptable. The neck is elongated and muscular.
Torso
The back is strong and fairly long. The loin is arched, but the dog should not appear roached. The chest is well-defined and deep. The ribs are well sprung. The underline has a distinct twist. The tail is long. When moving, it is carried high; when standing quietly, it is lowered or carried between the hind legs. The limbs are lean and muscular.
Coat and colors
The coat is fine and short, lying close to the body. There is no undercoat. The standard allows for all colors.
Character and psychological portrait
By nature, small English foxhounds are ideal companions: affectionate, friendly, even-tempered, and loyal. They lack the feline independence of other sighthounds. They are very sociable, craving attention and human interaction. As adults, they are reserved with strangers, but they love family members passionately. They are also very quiet and rarely bark. They are usually very affectionate and patient with small children. They treat older children as equals, obey them, and enjoy playing with them. Another positive trait is their ability to read the moods of others and not be intrusive.
They usually get along well with other dogs in the house. Outside, they enjoy playing with dogs of their own size or larger, often ignoring smaller dogs. They are often intolerant of cats, and their strong hunting instinct prevents them from becoming friends with small items or birds. Their watchdog qualities are very weak. Only a few dogs will defend their owner or bark if they sense danger.
If you analyze reviews of the breed, you can conclude that whippets are perfect for people of any gender and age who need a good-natured companion and are willing to devote enough time and attention to him, as well as hunters, lovers of dog racing and other sports.
Training and exercise
Whippets are quite intelligent and easily trained to perform various commands and tricks. While they are calm, balanced, and obedient at home, they can be a lightning bolt outside. Therefore, special attention should be paid to long-distance obedience training.
Even with proper training, it is difficult to achieve perfect execution of commands; only a few individuals demonstrate miracles of obedience.
The most important thing for a whippet is to maintain good physical condition, which is achieved through active exercise, sports games, and free roaming. At least once a week, a whippet should be given the opportunity to run freely in an open area.
An excellent shared hobby for a dog and owner is participating in various sports: coursing, running, retrieving competitions, flyball, frisbee, agility.
Hunting with a Whippet
Once trained, a whippet can rouse a flock of feeding birds and snatch a hazel grouse in flight. It can be trained to retrieve dead game, but its primary purpose remains racing, and its primary hunting grounds are hares and foxes in open areas.
Content Features
Thanks to its cleanliness, short coat, and lack of odor, the Whippet is ideal for apartment life. The size of the apartment isn't particularly important; for the pet, it's like a kennel where it comes to rest. Some owners train their dog to use a pad, which makes life easier but doesn't eliminate the need for active walking. At home, your four-legged friend should have its own resting place and at least two or three different toys.
Care
Grooming is straightforward. Brush the coat several times a month with a short-haired brush or mitten. Bathe as needed, but no more than once a month. Shampoos are suitable for short-haired breeds. Pay attention to eye, ear, and oral hygiene.
Whippet clothing
In damp and frosty weather, the whippet needs comfortable clothesIt's a good idea to have at least one waterproof jumpsuit and a warm winter blanket or sweater in your wardrobe. It's best to choose a style that completely covers the neck. It's important to choose clothing that fits properly so it doesn't restrict movement.
Diet
There are no specific feeding recommendations for Whippets; in this regard, it all comes down to generally accepted dog feeding guidelines. The diet should be properly balanced, taking into account the dog's age and physiological condition. They can be fed commercially prepared foods or natural food, but avoid mixing the two. Your breeder or veterinarian can provide detailed feeding recommendations.
Health, disease and life expectancy
With adequate exercise, a good diet, and proper care, whippets live an average of 12-15 years. They are generally healthy, with rare cases of hereditary eye defects, congenital deafness, and von Willenbrand's disease (a blood clotting disorder). Interestingly, small English greyhounds are not genetically predisposed to hip dysplasia, which is common in most breeds today. The most common problems are cuts and injuries sustained while running or hunting.
Despite good health, vaccination remains a mandatory preventative measure, as well as regular deworming and treatment for external parasites.
Choosing a puppy and price
Before buying a Whippet puppy, consider: can you provide the dog with the necessary exercise? Can your pet run at 30 mph (50 km/h) without the risk of a car darting around the corner? If so, you can begin searching for a suitable breeder.
First and foremost, a Whippet puppy must be purebred. A pedigree guarantees many generations of ancestors with remarkable qualities. The puppy's parents must also be award-winning to be eligible for breeding. The next important requirement is the puppy's health and temperament. A healthy puppy is active, alert, and curious, with a good appetite and a restful sleep.
The breed is not very popular or numerous, so you may have to wait and reserve puppies in advance.
Prices
Prices for pet-quality whippet puppies with papers from reputable breeders range from 20,000 to 40,000 rubles. Potentially successful puppies (breeding and show-quality) cost significantly more, starting at 40,000 rubles. Be wary of ads offering whippet puppies at very low prices, as they are likely to be mixed-breeds or mongrel dogs.
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