So
many people ask me about whippets whenever I'm out with Rocket
that I've created my own Whippet FAQ.
What is a whippet?
Whippets are the sighthounds Goldilocks would have chosen. They are "just right":
smaller than greyhounds but bigger than the toy-sized Italian Greyhounds. They
stand at 18 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder, and can weigh between 20 and 35
pounds (Rocket weighs 26). They
come in a variety of solid, parti-colored, and brindled color schemes. You can
also read the official AKC Standard.
Why are they so skinny?
That's the physique they have been bred for. They are fed just as much as any
other dogs. Whippets are not starving!
What are whippets' personalities
like?
Every dog has its own personality, of course. But generally speaking, Whippets
are alert, outgoing, playful, energetic, cuddly, and tend to be followers rather
than leaders. They are intelligent, but not as smart as the herding breeds, like
German shepherds. They are very social.
How fast can whippets
run?
Up to 35 miles per hour. They were originally bred for racing and hunting rabbits,
so they needed to be very fast.
But racing them is cruel,
right?
No. A common misconception is confusion between AKC-sponsored sighthound racing
(lure
coursing or oval track racing) and greyhound
(“dog track”) racing. Whippets and other sighthounds participate in AKC-sponsored
racing events for the fun of the owners and their dogs, not for money. Dogs earn
points by winning races, and a certain number of points earns them “Champion”
and other titles, the same way dogs earn points by winning confirmation shows.
These dogs are well-loved pets and show dogs. It is NOT the same as the type of
“dog track” racing that Greyhounds are rescued
from, where the dogs are treated as money-makers and discarded when they can’t
run anymore, just like racehorses.
How much exercise do
whippets need?
Whippets are bred to be athletes and although they do sleep a lot, they need daily
exercise. I find an hour's worth of good exercise (either all at once or in two
half-hour chunks) is sufficient. Keep in mind that whippets are born to run, and
they love it. So if you do not have access to a safe off-leash area, or a yard
big enough to allow your whippet to do short sprints at top speed, this may not
be the dog for you.
Is Santa's Little Helper
on "The Simpsons" a whippet?
Santa's Little Helper is officially a greyhound. If you remember, he was rescued
from the Springfield Downs dog track on Christmas Eve. But in my opinion, he's
much to small to be a greyhound. I think he's secretly a whippet.
Are whippets a good
choice for families with children?
Whippets are gregarious, but they are not "hard-boiled." The screaming, yelling,
poking, prodding, and chasing usually associated with young children can be too
much for a whippet. If, however, you can (hand over heart!) honestly say that
your children are well-disciplined and mature enough to respect a dog and treat
it with care, a whippet can be a great addition to the family.
Do whippets get along
with cats?
As with any dog, its best to introduce them to cats slowly, and as puppies. But
whippets do generally get along with cats. The biggest problem Rocket
has with Max and Buckwheat is that 1) she interprets their hissing and swatting
as an attempt to play, and 2) when they turn and run away from her she tries to
chase them. But she never hurts them and they mainly treat her as an annoyance.
How do whippets rate
on the "Big Six" list of doggy problems?
BARKING: One of the best things about whippets is that they rarely bark, if ever.
SHEDDING: Although whippets do shed, their fur is so short its not usually a problem.
JUMPING: You may have a hard time teaching your whippet not to jump up on people.
Many whippets also like to jump fences, plan on enclosing your yard with a six-footer.
BITING: Whippets are generally not aggressive or "bitey." However, like any dog,
this can change if they are abused or mistreated.
HOUSEBREAKING: Some books say whippets aren't the easiest dogs to housebreak.
Anecdotally, however, most people I know say whippets are about equal to other
breeds in housebreaking prowess.
SEPARATION ANXIETY: One of the most common whippet problems is separation anxiety.
A great way to prevent this is by getting two whippets instead of one. Whippets
are highly social dogs and can have strong reactions to being left alone, including
going to the bathroom in the house, destructive chewing, etc. If your whippet
is all alone while you're at work all day, be prepared to give her lots of "quality
time" when you are home, and make sure she sleeps in the bedroom with you.
For whom is a whippet
a bad choice?
People who travel often or are not home much.
People who want to keep their dog mainly outdoors.
People who want a dog for protection.
People who think a dog is "just a pet," rather than a member of the family.
Where can I learn more
about Whippets?
My favorite book is Whippets
by D. Carolyn Coile, or you can peruse a wonderful list here.
There are also a number of links at the bottom of Rocket's
main site.