The Whippet, A Greyhound With A Character Of Its Own
Whippets can be mistaken for greyhounds, although they are a different breed. The physical differences are subtle, but the two races do very different jobs. Learn to differentiate them here.
History
Greyhounds were highly coveted animals in 18th century London working-class neighborhoods, so much so that dog racing fans couldn’t even afford them. Thus, they developed a breed similar to the English greyhound, but more affordable.
The creators of this breed were looking for a fast and agile dog like the greyhound, but more tenacious and courageous. To achieve this, they combined English greyhound genes with those of various terriers (such as the Yorkshire terrier or the English terrier) and other breeds in the area. The result is a dog with a physique prepared for speed, stronger and smaller.
During its early years it was used in hunting small animals such as rabbits, but soon it began to dedicate itself solely to racing. It has higher top speed but less resistance than the greyhound, which is why they were dogs with a great chance of winning in many modalities.
features
Males are slightly larger than females: they grow to between 47 and 51 centimeters tall and weigh around 10 to 12 kilograms. For their part, they measure a few centimeters less, between 44 and 47, although the average weight is the same as that of males.
It is a tall dog, but of medium size and very light. In this sense, it is a sleek, elegant and agile breed. The legs are long and thin; it has a deep chest and the difference with the narrow belly is very evident. Generally speaking, it has the usual appearance of a greyhound breed.
Like almost all greyhound breeds, it has a long, tapered head and a muscular neck, while the stop is very smooth, and the snout is long and thin. Regarding its expression, the eyes are small and dark in color, and the ears are small, triangular and fall to the sides of the head.
The first specimens of the breed inherited the long hair of some terriers, but this characteristic has been lost over time. Currently, all whippets have short, fine hair and can appear in any color class or combination of colors.
Behavior
The whippet is shy and reserved, but not as shy as greyhounds usually are. They are not effusive or energetic dogs, but it is not common to see dogs of this breed with as many fears or with as many qualms as their English or Spanish relatives.
Terrier genes lead him to be brave and a bit impulsive and, while he has character, at the same time he is faithful and loving to his human families. They are not dogs that can be trained by punishment or the use of force: they cannot be forced, so it is necessary to use training based on positive reinforcement.
They are docile and easygoing, even when dealing with children, provided they are treated with respect and care. It is said that they can have disputes with other dogs while they are working or playing, and that fights were common on the dog tracks.
Care
Whippets, like almost all sighthounds, are a fairly healthy breed: they do not have diseases of their own, although they can fall ill and have the other health problems common to dogs.
It is necessary to follow the reviews recommended by the veterinarian, and not neglect the vaccination or deworming schedule. Likewise, the veterinarian should consider whether it is necessary to do any preventive treatment to avoid hip or elbow dysplasia, common in dogs of this size.
Due to their thinness, whippets tend to be chilly dogs. It may be necessary to shelter them in the coldest seasons of the year, and it is mandatory that they spend the nights indoors and not outdoors or in a shed in the garden.
Whippets are not known to be energetic animals, but they do need regular physical exercise and a controlled diet, as they tend to be overweight.
Whippet are similar to greyhounds, but have their own recognizable character and a much more variety of colors in the coat. However, they are smaller in size than Spanish greyhounds, but could put them in a tight spot in a race.
