Whippet Presentation

There are many theories about how the Whippet got its breed name. At the beginning of the 17th century, every small dog was called a Whippet, but in the middle of the 19th century, the Whippet was described as a breed with features of both Greyhound and Spaniel.

The breed name
Whippet is believed to come from the whip-like shape of the tail ("whip" = whip). The breed name could also come from the exclamation "hurry up" (whip it) which was used in connection with racing or hunting. The Whippet breed A Whippet is a Sighthound. Like the other breeds within the Sighthound group, it is agile, fast and exudes strength. The standard describes the Whippet in the following words:

"The breed should convey an impression of beautifully balanced muscular power and strength combined with palpable elegance and grace in the lines. Line symmetry, muscle development and powerful movements are the most important characteristics."

The Whippet is considered relatively modern as a breed. In 1890 it was approved as a breed in England. The genetic background of the breed is believed to be a mixture of Greyhound, Italian greyhound and various Terrier varieties. The Whippet got its real boost in the late 1800s, when the miners in northern England caught sight of these small, fast dogs. They were cheap to own and very effective at catching the occasional rabbit for supper. The Whippet was also widely used for racing for rags (so-called "rag racing"), of course during lively betting.

A Whippet is happy, open and has a harmonious attitude towards its surroundings. It has a great need for contact and closeness, both to people and other dogs. At the same time, this "elegant dog" holds a large portion of dignity. The Whippet loves comfort. It likes to lie in cozy sofa corners and nice, warm beds with down duvets. As an indoor dog, the adult Whippet is extremely calm and quiet. As an outdoor dog, the Whippet is a very sporty and active dog. It is always lively on walks in the woods and fields. It is a real beauty experience to see one or more Whippets stretching across a meadow. As a puppy, however, a Whippet is very active and inventive! The Whippet puppy is very positive to everything and everyone. It thinks it can handle everything, which can sometimes be quite a test of patience. But don't worry, with time comes Sighthound dignity.

The Whippet is a very easy-care dog. The fur is wiped off with a chamois. Bathe it if necessary. The most important thing is the claw clipping. The little puppy should get used to this from the very beginning. Cutting the nails once a week is a good rule of thumb. Short claws are an absolute must for the Whippet's well-being. It is also very important to keep the teeth clean of tartar. Although some people think the Whippet looks rather thin, most Whippets have a great appetite. The biggest problem is usually that you have to hold back on the food and candy. However, there may be the occasional Whippet that can be difficult to get a hold of. For a Whippet to feel really good, it requires exercise in many different forms. A Whippet that is not allowed to move around enough becomes very restless. Walking on a leash and cycle exercise at a reasonable pace are excellent for general fitness, but most important for a Whippet's well-being is that it is allowed to run loose and stretch alone or with other dogs. If you give your Whippet a few walks a day and a little "running loose" you will get a happy, harmonious Whippet!