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Whippet

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General
OtherNames		Snapdog
Dog Group Kennel Club		Hound
Breed Classification		The Whippet is a small dog, a member of the Hound group. It is a Sight hound, chasing by direct sight rather than scent and is valued both as a working dog and as a companion.
Cost of Ownership Visit our dog food department
Average Food Cost		< £4
Feeding Requirements		The Whippet is generally not a fussy eater, often with a small appetite but requires a good quality, easily digested diet. They may become overweight if overfed or underexercised.
Other Expenses		Whippets are generally inexpensive dogs to keep, feeding costs are low and professional grooming is not required. Veterinary expenses can be high as the Whippet is susceptible to injuries of skin and bone. The Whippet has little resistance to cold and will appreciate a coat, preferably both wind- and rain-proof. Puppies are around £400 to buy.
Average Puppy Price		£300-500
Lifespan		> 15 years
Average Litter Size		6
General Physical Description		The Whippet is a lean muscular athletic dog with an aerodynamically designed body. Their coats are fine and short and they are very clean dogs. They balance muscular strength and power with grace and elegance being built for speed and work. They are both working or racing dogs and ideal companions.
Height Min Max Bitch 44cm 47cm Dog 47cm 51cm Weight Min Max Bitch 12.5kg 13kg Dog 12.5kg 13kg
Size Category		Small
Weight Height Range		Dogs ideally measure between 47 - 51cms at the withers and bitches measure between 44 - 47cms. Both dogs and bitches weigh between 12.5 - 13.5kgs.
Ailments		The Whippet has a very fine coat which offers little protection to the skin, so scratches are likely to become tears and may require suturing. They have sensitive skins therefore harsh shampoos may provoke skin reactions and should be used with care. Their limbs are susceptible to injury and fractures may well be serious. They are also susceptible to stomach upsets on poor quality food but these apart they are generally healthy dogs.
Common Ailments
Susceptibility To Illness Pet insurance for dogs resource Pet health and vet advice		Low
Other
History		The Whippet was developed during the latter part of the 19th century from various sporting, coursing and running dogs, including small greyhounds. He was bred to race and his ability to reach speeds of up to 35mph suited him to track racing. This breed was adopted by the miners of North-east England who were keen dog racing enthusiasts but they also used him for coursing, as he is capable of catching rabbits and hares. He gained his nickname of Snapdog from his ability to kill rats and rabbits with a sharp snap. Although he is still used as a working and racing dog and takes part in agility and obedience activities, his main role is as a companion.
Intelligence		The whippet is an intelligent and adaptable dog but can be slow to learn and the owner must be patient and gentle. Whippets can be trained for agility and obedience in addition to their racing, working and companionship roles.
Show Characteristics		The Whippet should have a head which is long and lean, flat on top and tapering to the muzzle with a slight stop. The jaws should have a perfect scissor bite. The eyes should be bright with a lively expression. Ears are small, fine-textured and are described as rose-shaped. The neck should be long and well muscled, the body moderately long with a very deep chest and well sprung ribs. The loins should be well arched. The legs are long and strong, feet are neat with thick, strong pads. The tail should be long with no feathering and the coat is short, fine and dense. They come in a variety of colours and combinations of colours.
Country Of Origin		England
Famous Examples
Records Held
Characteristics Visit our dog training aids department
Energy		Medium
Overall Exercise		60 - 80 minutes
Distress Caused if Left Alone		Low
Personal Protection		Low
Suitability As Guard Dog		Low
Risk of Sheep Worrying		Low
Tendency to Bark		Low
Ease of Transportation		High
Level of Aggression		Low
Compatibility With Other Animals		High
Suitable For Children		Medium
General Character And Temperament		The Whippet is a gentle, patient, tolerant and affectionate dog. Although they are competitive when racing, they are adaptable and quiet dogs. They love people but prefer to stay away from very young children who may handle them roughly. At home in castle or cottage, they make ideal companions. They can be highly strung and need understanding from their owners.
Grooming Visit our dog grooming department
Coat Length		Short/Smooth
Grooming Requirement		> Once a week
Trimming		None
Requires Professional Groomer
Grooming		The Whippet benefits from regular grooming but care must be taken to use soft brushes and gentle handling as their coat and skin is very fine and sensitive. Any shampoo used should be gentle without harsh ingredients as these may cause reactions in the sensitive skin. Eyes and ears should be checked when grooming and his teeth will benefit from regular brushing.
Colour		The whippet comes in a wide variety of colours and mixes of colours. These include black, fawn, white, blue, brindle, black and white, blue and white etc.
Shedding		Little
Suffers From Allergies		True
Tendency to Cause Allergies