Whippet dogs: description, character and photo

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

The Whippet is one of the top three greyhounds in the world, along with the Italian Greyhound and the Reyhound. These animals have many external similarities, their characters and behaviors are similar. They differ mainly in size. The Little English Greyhound, the Whippet, is a swift sprinter and an excellent companion. The animal harmoniously combines the instinct of a hunter, calmness and friendliness.

Formation of the breed

Like many greyhounds, the history of the Whippet breed is rather confusing. There are several conflicting versions of the origin of the breed. The first says that the Whippet is a relatively young breed that was bred in the 19th century by miners and factory workers for hunting and running. Based on this version, the Whippet is a cross between Manchester Terriers, Greyhounds and other breeds, for example, Foxhounds.

However, as a result of recent research, cynologists have come to the conclusion that the breed is much more ancient. Almost alwaysthe goddess Diana was depicted accompanied by dogs, outwardly very reminiscent of a modern whippet. In addition, many animals with the same appearance are depicted on the canvases of masters of the XIV-XVI centuries. The Louvre has a sculpture from the 4th century BC, apparently depicting a whippet.

According to the latest version, the progenitors of this breed were brought to the islands of Britain by the Romans in 55 BC. e. Some experts believe that these animals are the descendants of the pharaoh dog. Greyhound and Whippet descended from this medium-sized greyhound, developing as two independent, but very similar branches.

Probably, the answer to the mystery of the appearance of the breed lies somewhere in the middle. It is unlikely that researchers will be able to find out the true history of whippet breeding, but it is quite obvious that the formation of this breed and various terriers occurred in parallel, and therefore their influence on each other is beyond doubt.

Today, the Whippet dog differs from its closest Greyhound relatives in its greater distrust of strangers and its brighter temperament. This suggests the presence of terrier blood in them. The British even call representatives of this breed "Bull Terriers among greyhounds." And this is quite justified, since the Whippet was used much later to breed terriers (Bedlington Terrier, Bull Terrier).

For the first time, a detailed description of the Whippet breed appeared in Great Britain in the middle of the 19th century. And in 1891, it was officially registered and began to rapidly gain popularity not only in Britain,but also in other countries. Then in the history of the breed came a period of oblivion. But now little greyhounds are back at the peak of popularity in Europe.

The whippet breed standard, adopted in 1903, has changed little. The most famous kennels in the UK were Manorley and Shirley. In Russia, the first dogs of this breed appeared in 1988 in the Elita cultural center. Ten puppies were brought from Germany, Czechoslovakia and Poland. They turned out to be highly bred and gave excellent offspring.

Whippet dog: breed description

The standard describes this animal as a reduced Greyhound, graceful and strong dog. The weight of an adult dog should not exceed 12 kg with a height of a male from 47 to 51 cm, and a bitch from 44 to 47 cm. As you can see, these dogs are small in size. The Whippet breed is different from most greyhounds.

In the past, these animals had a heavier build. They were more like mongrels, remotely similar to terriers. Modern whippets have lost their external resemblance to terriers: they have acquired an elegant and light physique. The refinement and grace of these animals are harmoniously combined with strength, endurance and inexhaustible energy.

An elongated head with a flat skull is set on a long, elegantly elongated neck. The ears are small, the eyes are oval. As a rule, the color of the nose leather depends on the color of the animal. Powerful jaws have a scissor bite. I would especially like to draw your attention to the run of the whippet - this is a graceful and graceful soaring above the ground. The movements of the animal are somewhat peculiar: far forward and lowabove the ground, like a purebred trotter, the whippet throws out its front paws, while the hind legs get deep under the body and, after a strong push, makes a powerful body throw forward.

The hunting instinct in representatives of this breed is caused by visual movements: following the trail is not to the liking of the Whippet, he needs to see the prey.

Torso

Representatives of the Whippet breed are so thin that ignorant people, looking at protruding ribs, may decide that the animal is suffering from exhaustion. In fact, the greyhound is incredibly hardy, its muscles are well developed. The apparent thinness can be explained by the minimum amount of subcutaneous fat. The back is strong and long. The line of the abdomen has a pronounced undermining. The tail is long and thin. The dog never holds him over his back. Chest deep.

The limbs are long, muscular and straight. Medium-sized paws have thick pads. The stride is long and light.

Color and coat type

In accordance with the standard, representatives of the Whippet breed (you can see the photo in the article) must have a thick, short, tight coat. The hair is quite thin, not hiding even the smallest inaccuracies on the skin, for example, scars. The standard does not impose strict requirements on the colors of this variety of greyhounds. He can be anyone. The only exceptions are albinos: such puppies are culled at birth and are not allowed for breeding. The most common are grey, black and brindle dogs.

Differences between Whippetsfrom other species of the breed group

At the beginning of the article, we mentioned the external similarities of the Whippet with Italian Greyhounds and Greyhounds. In this regard, many dog breeders are interested in how to avoid mistakes when choosing an animal. The little greyhound differs from the greyhound, as you might guess, in its height, as well as in the proportions of the backbone.

Greyhounds are calmer by nature, their hunting passion is not so strongly developed. Unlike them, Whippets remain “children” until old age: they love to play and frolic all day long. Nevertheless, both dogs can be used for the main purpose (hunting). In addition, they are intelligent and loyal companions.

The differences between Italian greyhounds and whippets are not so pronounced. At the same time, Italian greyhounds are even more miniature: they are lighter in skeleton, quite often they shiver from the cold. They are not considered working greyhounds. Unlike them, whippets are very fond of hunting and accompany their master with great pleasure. Another difference between these dogs is the color. While Whippets can be almost any color, Italian Greyhounds, according to the standard, can only be plain.

Maintenance and Care

Representatives of the Whippet breed do not have an undercoat, therefore they cannot be kept on the street. These animals can only live in the house. In cold autumn and winter, such a pet will need warm clothes for a walk. For this dog, not only frosts are dangerous, but also dank spring and autumn winds. To protect their pets during this period, dog breeders useprotective coats made of waterproof fabric that keep dogs warm.

The breed is extremely active, so you need to walk the dog twice a day for an hour. To meet the animal's need for movement, cynologists recommend active walks - coursing, swimming, running next to the bike.

Whippet coat does not require too much care. It is enough to clean the dog with a special brush once or twice a week. These animals shed twice a year - in spring and autumn. At this time, you need to help your pet: comb it daily. It is important that the coat of the Whippet breed does not have a characteristic odor. This allows not only to keep them even in a not very large apartment, but also not to bathe often.

Otherwise, animal care is traditional: you should regularly examine your teeth and, if you find tartar, contact your veterinarian. It is advisable to give the dog chewing bones, which are intended for brushing teeth, to prevent the formation of hard plaque on the tooth enamel. In addition, periodically inspect the ears, eyes and claws.

Feeding the Whippet

Composing a diet for a greyhound is not easy, because it must be rich in carbohydrates, but at the same time be dietary. A veterinarian can help in this matter, who will advise the owner on the choice of products and feeding regimen. For an animal, not only the correct selection of products is important, but also their quantity: overweight can be fatal for representatives of this breed. So what should you feed your dog?

Whippets are very fond of meat. It is desirable that it be fresh, not frozen. In this case, the product is better absorbed. Boiled chicken eggs can be included in the animal's diet. In addition, whippets are happy to eat boiled low-fat sea fish, from which all bones must first be removed. Dogs also need to receive cereals. Most suitable buckwheat and rice. Vegetables should be given stewed or boiled. Used in feeding and vegetable broth, which contains many vitamins.

To improve bowel function, give the dog boiled carrots, pumpkin, zucchini. Dairy products in the animal's diet should be unsweetened. Every day the dog should receive vegetable oil with food. Thanks to him, the pet's coat becomes shiny and silky. As a rule, veterinarians helping to formulate a Whippet's diet follow a 75/25 ratio, where 75% are protein products, and 25% are porridge and vegetables. We remind you once again that you should not overfeed your pet, as being overweight negatively affects the general he alth of the animal and its development.

Ready feed

If there is no opportunity or desire to cook for a dog every day, then today you can feed it with ready-made food of industrial production. But in this case, you need to choose premium formulations that are designed for active dogs. Veterinarians recommend giving preference to the following products:

• Frolik (Russia).
• Pro Pac (USA).
• Chicopee (Canada).
• Bewi-Dog (Germany).
• Happy Dog– Croq (Germany).
• Alder’s (Germany).

Today, no special feed has been developed for representatives of the Whippet breed. Choose formulations for short-haired dogs.

Whippet Character

Affectionate and very gentle, even-tempered and infinitely loyal - this is how you can briefly characterize this dog. In describing the breed and character of the Whippet, many breeders note that this dog is in dire need of the attention, care and love of the owner. She strives to spend all her time next to a person. Of the existing greyhounds, the Whippet is recognized as the most affectionate. The dog tries to take part in all household chores and demonstrates at every opportunity how much he loves all family members.

To children, these dogs are friendly and calm. Borzoi should feel understanding and even respect from their side. Very young children, sometimes perceiving the animal as a toy, drag the dog by the tail, ears. In this case, the whippet will not show aggression, will not offend the baby - it will simply go to a secluded corner.

These animals are extremely wary and even unfriendly towards strangers. A properly educated dog in such a situation shows cold restraint. He looks at people who are well known, close to the family, more affably. When describing the breed and character of the Whippet, many researchers emphasize that early socialization is necessary for these dogs. If this is not done, your pet may grow up nervous and timid.

For the most part, greyhounds and hounds are pack animals. They can hunt or coexist peacefully in the company of their own kind. Due to the developed hunting instinct, representatives of the breed cannot be left alone with small animals, including small dogs. The dog may regard them as game and immediately start hunting.

The Whippet is not a fan of barking with or without it. You will hear the voice of your four-legged friend only when a stranger appears. Representatives of this breed can reach speeds of up to 64 km / h. Dogs quickly accelerate from the jump and rush forward at full speed. To keep your pet in proper physical shape, you should give him the opportunity to run after a mechanical hare. This will allow you to splash out excess energy and maintain muscle tone in excellent condition.

Whippet loves his owners very much and does not tolerate separation well. This is a very sensitive and vulnerable breed - the greyhound suffers when you have to stay at home alone, painfully perceives screams and scandals in the family. She can direct her excess energy to small pranks, damage to furniture and interior items, for example. Interesting toys or a second pet save you from loneliness.

Reviews about the Whippet breed

Despite the fact that mini-borzois appeared in our country at the end of the last century, today these animals remain quite rare. In major cities, there are already noteworthy kennels offering thoroughbred and he althy puppies.

The owners of these animals warn anyone who wants to find such a four-legged friend that you should first studycharacteristics of the Whippet breed to determine if such a dog is suitable for you. It is also necessary to do this in order to avoid acquiring a puppy of a different breed, which sometimes unscrupulous breeders sin. And of course, buying a puppy from bird markets is out of the question.

According to the owners, it is impossible not to admire the Whippets. They are ideal dogs, great with children. They are loyal and attentive companions, quick-witted and quick assistants on the hunt. They are suitable even for people who have no previous experience in dog breeding. The advantages of such pets include:

• Attractive appearance.
• Loy alty to the owner, lack of aggression.
• No peculiar smell.
• Easy maintenance.
• Attitude towards children.
• Possibility of maintenance even in a small apartment.
• Resistant to many diseases common to greyhounds.

Whippet owners and animal shortcomings are noted:

• Wilfulness.
• Developed hunting instinct.
• The need for daily long walks.
• The dog is intolerant of cold and wet weather.