The Whippet is a medium sized dog breed from Great Britain. The FCI lists the Whippet, which is sometimes also called Little English Sighthound, among the short-haired sighthounds in Group 10, Section 3.
Today the Whippet is primarily a family and companion dog, whose owners appreciate his cuddly and cheerful nature.
The whippet was already used for hunting rabbits in the 19th century. Members of the nobility and the military tried to set a uniform standard for breeding. The aim was to breed a dog that was both powerful and elegant.
The first breed standard for the Whippet was established in 1891. Apart from a few small deviations it is still valid today.
Because of its smaller size it was less prone to injury and also cheaper, the Whippet quickly became much more popular as a hunting dog than the larger Greyhound.
From the beginning of the 20th century the Whippet was also used in greyhound races. Professional races, as they were already usual with Greyhounds at that time, were not organized with him, however.
The average life expectancy of the Whippet is 12 to 15 years. Males reach a shoulder height of 47 to 51 centimetres, while bitches with a height of 44 to 47 centimetres become slightly smaller.
The weight of the slender Whippet, which can reach a speed of around 60 kilometres per hour, is normally between 10 and 15 kilograms. The whippet has a dry constitution and firm skin.
He has a slender figure with a long muscular neck and a broad, well-muscled back. The line of the back falls off clearly without forming a hump. It is responsible for the fact that the whippet usually carries its tail bent down, which is often mistakenly interpreted by laymen as fear.
The upper head of the whippet is flat, the stop only slightly pronounced and his jaws strong. He has oval eyes with an attentive gaze and small rose-shaped ears. The fine, close-fitting coat of the whippet is short and may appear in all colour variations.
The Whippet is a calm and cuddly dog, which often seeks contact with its owner. At the same time he also has a decent temperament and a very happy nature.
He is also considered intelligent and attentive. Most of the time he would like to be everywhere and to please his favourite person as much as possible. The character of the Whippet combines willpower and sensitivity. For this reason a loving upbringing, which takes into account the typical characteristics of the elegant sighthound, is very important.
As a hunting dog, the whippet has hardly any practical significance today. Instead, he is a regular guest on racetracks and enjoys great popularity primarily as a family dog.
He feels especially comfortable when he is kept in a pack with several animals. A habituation to other pets, such as cats or rabbits, is quite possible. However, it must not be forgotten that the Whippet is still a hunting dog deep inside.
The neighbour's cat may therefore also be a potential prey that can awaken the whippet's hunting instinct. Accordingly, letting the Whippet loose in the wild is often associated with a certain risk.
Apart from that, the Whippet proves to be a pleasant companion in everyday life. It is only important that it gets enough exercise to satisfy its joy of running.
Basically the Whippet is considered to be a quite healthy breed, where there is no excessive risk for diseases. However, some animals have a genetic defect that leads to excessive growth of the muscles.
Affected dogs are called Bully Whippets. Apart from an increased tendency to muscle cramps and a marked overbite, this genetic defect does not normally cause any further complaints.
The Whippet is an active four-legged friend, whose high urge to move can be best satisfied by dog sports. As the owner, you should be aware that regular physical activity leads to additional nutritional requirements.
For whippets that are active in dog sports, we therefore recommend feeding them with Bellfor Premium PUR Aktiv.
This gluten-free dry food provides your whippet with valuable energy in the form of easily digestible carbohydrates from corn and rice.