Whippet

The Whippet is a British sighthound that looks much like a Greyhound and sits between it and the Italian Greyhound in size. It was bred to catch rabbits, to course and to race, and miners in Lancashire and Yorkshire called it the poor man’s racehorse. Today it is mostly a companion, a show dog or an amateur racer.

History

The word whippet was first used in writing for a kind of dog in 1610; it comes from an old term meaning to move briskly.

The modern breed emerged in Victorian England, where it was also called the snap-dog for the way it snapped up prey. It was prized in the north of England and in Wales and mostly ignored elsewhere. There were two kinds: a smooth-coated dog favored in Lancashire, Yorkshire and the Midlands, which became the Whippet of today, and a rougher-coated one, crossed with Bedlington Terriers, favored in Durham and Northumberland.

Racing began in the mid-19th century. In its early form, known as ragging, the dogs were released together and ran toward their owners, who stood at the far end of the track waving towels.

The American Kennel Club recognised the Whippet in 1888, after mill workers from England had brought it to Massachusetts, and The Kennel Club followed in 1891.

Appearance

The Whippet has the streamlined sighthound build: a deep chest, long, slender legs and a narrow, muscular body. The ideal height is 47 to 51 cm (18.5 to 20 in) for males and 44 to 47 cm (17.5 to 18.5 in) for females; the American and Canadian standards allow taller dogs. Typical weight is 11 to 18 kg (24 to 40 lb).

The coat is short, smooth and close. Color is not considered in judging, so Whippets come in everything from solid black to solid white, with red, fawn, brindle, blue or cream.

It is the fastest dog of its weight, reaching up to 56 km/h (35 mph) with a double suspension gallop, in which all four feet leave the ground twice in each stride.

Temperament

Whippets are gentle, affectionate and quiet. Indoors they are calm and content to rest for much of the day; outdoors they love short, explosive sprints. They bond closely with their owners and can suffer from separation anxiety when left alone. They suit homes with children or other pets, but their prey drive is strong, and they are prone to chase cats, rabbits and squirrels, so care is needed off the leash.

Care and health

The coat has no undercoat, sheds little and is easy to look after. With so little coat and body fat, Whippets feel the cold and may need a jacket in cool weather.

This is a generally healthy breed. A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 13.4 years. Hip dysplasia and genetic eye defects are rare. Like other sighthounds, Whippets do not tolerate barbiturate anesthetics well. Heart problems are the second leading cause of death, and mitral valve disease is common in older dogs.

Facts on this page were checked against Wikipedia and may have changed since.