Free consultation and order
warencorb My Cart 0 item(s) - £0.00
Your shopping cart is empty!

Whippet: dog food and breed portrait

Banner with Whippet

Whippet

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. 

History of the Whippet

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.

Features of the Whippet

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.

Whippet nature and character

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.

Activities with the Whippet

Activities with the Whippet

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.

For this purpose, the following dog sports, among others, are very suitable:

Whippet diseases

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.

In addition, the following health problems can occur with whippets in individual cases:

The right nutrition of the Whippet

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. 

In addition, we recommend supporting your whippet with the following Bellfor food supplements:

  • Bellfor Fitness Powder provides your athletically active whippet with important amino acids as well as vitamins and minerals for faster regeneration and optimal muscle maintenance.
  • Bellfor Joints & Bones provides your whippet with valuable nutrients that support the health of its musculoskeletal system and effectively counteract joint problems despite physical strain.
  • Bellfor Dental Powder is our natural dietary supplement against tartar and should be an integral part of your whippet's daily dental care.

Was this page helpful?

Write a review

Bad
Good
Dietician
My data
normal

Ribs can be felt beneath low fat cover, visible waist from above, visible elevation of the abdominal line in front of the pelvis from the side.

My weight
My activity
Dog food should not contain the following
VEGETABLES AND CEREALS
MEAT AND FISH
OTHER
Health problems
Special needs of your dog

Suggested Products

watsapp-button-icon
bellfore motive