The Whippet is a medium-sized, straight haired sight hound. Dogs are 47-51 cm and bitches are 44-47 cm high.
Its native country is England, where in 1891 the studbook of this breed has been opened.
There aren’t any records about an historical evolution or about the origin in the second half of the 19 th. century, although this kind of dogs is provable found on old depictions, drawings, graphic arts, sculptures and also mentioned in writings. But at these time there wasn’t made a distinction between two different breeds. They were just classified in little and big greyhound type.
The name “Whippet” has been provable since the 16 th. century but as a general description for a little watchdog, not in connection with a little, straight haired greyhound.
So we have to see the year 1891 as the birthplace of the modern whippet and we have to believe reports, given to us by witnesses of the period of time.
Therefore today’s breed developed out of a various group of dogs for us, called snap dog or rag hound, which had been especially kept for poaching and races by ordinary people in the North of England. The most important feature was the explosive capability for sprinting and agility of those dogs in connection with a sure nature.
The flourishing of the shows finally led to the endeavour of the breeders for giving this breed the same type and this had been formulated in the breed standard. This evolution has contributed to let the breed enjoy a great popularity all over the world.
The standard demand for balance proportion of strength and power in harmony with elegance and beauty of the contours and the particularly piece of advice “ without any exaggeration “ of one or another side is the core of this breed as important other detail position however might be.
The whippet breed is a colourful breed. All shades and combinations of colour are allowed. In England there exists a list of over 100 different shades and colour combinations. The marked ness of this breed, the high anatomical qualities and a balanced, sure and a friendly nature are characteristic of a good whippet. It has a great character and it is torn.
On one hand it is a snuggling, calm family- and housedog, which is always getting close in contact with people and on the other hand it is vivacious, cheerful and weatherproofed sports dog, which is stretching, rotating, turning round and running like greased lightning in a breathtaking run in the open country, on the racetrack and at coursing. Whippets are having a good behaviour within a group and they are ambitious fighters on the racetrack.
The whippet is a dog, which wants to be always involved. Its medium size still gets him a little place in a modern flat or in the car. It needs a lot of affection and love and it comes running up to his owner without being asked, obviously inviting for a caress. Willingly it even takes up an uncomfortable space but close to its master. The main thing is being close together. For hours it can lie on its sofa space. Then it feels happy while it is watching what is going on. In some positions its sleep is temporary very deep, expressing an extremely carelessness, for example like lying on the back with its legs up in the air, having no kind of hold. Other whippets are embracing each other while they are sleeping. From time to time within its dreams it might indicate a running movement and make some quiet hounding noises. It loves warm weather and it is a real sun-warshipper, making use of every sunbeam, luxuriously stretching out even on hard ground.
Whippets are very clean dogs and never smell bad. Because of its short coat it is very easy-care. It only takes a special glove or a suede cloth to remove the dead hair.
Originally the whippet is an unpretentious dog, which also can be very spoiled. It is intelligent and attentive and always wants to please its master.
Who’s looking after this breed and who’s doing a lot of sport with his dog will certainly discover a wonderful and exciting hobby. The life expectancy of a whippet is in a normal case about 12-15 years and that’s why everyone who is interested in this wonderful breed should take this period of time into account.
The whippet is a dog, which is giving back all the love and affection that will be given to it!