Whippet

What is a Whippet?

A small sighthound of 10-16kg, built entirely for acceleration. Deep chest, tucked waist, long legs, and a coat you can see the muscle through. They were the working man's coursing and racing dog in the north of England, and the shape has not changed because it did not need to.

Indoors they are the quietest dog most people will ever own.

History and origins

Developed in the nineteenth century in the mining and mill towns of northern England, from small greyhounds crossed with terriers, for rabbit coursing and for straight racing - "rag racing", the dogs chasing a waved cloth. The Kennel Club recognised the breed in 1891. They were called the poor man's racehorse because a family could keep one where they could not keep a greyhound.

Appearance and size

44-51cm at the shoulder. Any colour or mixture of colours, which is unusual and means the breed comes in everything from blue brindle to fawn to particolour. Very short, fine coat with no undercoat. A correctly conditioned Whippet has two or three vertebrae and the last few ribs visible, which alarms people who are used to labradors.

Temperament and personality

Gentle, affectionate and undemanding. They are not needy, not noisy and not destructive. They seek out warmth: under the duvet, on the sofa, on you. They are sensitive and do not respond well to a raised voice.

Outdoors is a different animal. A Whippet in pursuit reaches around 35mph in a few strides and is functionally deaf while it is doing so.

Intelligence and trainability

Bright but not biddable in the gundog sense. They learn quickly and comply when it suits them. Reward-based training works; anything heavy-handed does not. Recall around wildlife is the hard part and for many owners it never becomes fully reliable - most sensible Whippet owners use enclosed fields for off-lead running.

Children and other pets

Excellent with children: patient, gentle, and not remotely mouthy. Very good with other dogs, and they play beautifully with other sighthounds. Cats are a real question: a Whippet raised with a cat from puppyhood is usually fine with that cat and will still chase the neighbour's. Small furries are not compatible.

Health problems

One of the soundest pedigree breeds there is, which is what happens when a dog is bred for function for two centuries.

• Eye conditions - a current eye certificate; some lines carry progressive retinal atrophy.
• MDR1 drug sensitivity - DNA test; affects response to some common veterinary drugs.
• Cardiac - a low rate of mitral valve disease; a cardiac examination is worth asking about.
• Anaesthetic sensitivity. Sighthounds metabolise some anaesthetics differently because they carry so little body fat. Tell any vet who has not treated one before.
• Skin. Thin skin over hard muscle tears easily on brambles and wire. Expect the occasional trip for stitches.
• Cold. No undercoat and no fat. They need a coat below about 10 degrees and they will burrow into anything warm.

Daily care routine

An hour of walking, ideally including one short burst of flat-out running in a safe place. That is it. The rest of the day they will spend asleep in the warmest spot in the house.

Grooming and coat care

A rubber mitt once a week, five minutes. Nails, teeth, and check for cuts after a run in undergrowth. They barely smell.

Exercise needs

Less than people expect. Two twenty-to-thirty minute walks with a chance to sprint is plenty for an adult. Sighthounds are sprinters, not endurance dogs; they are not good running companions over distance.

Feeding and diet

Two meals, £25-£40 a month, and a bit more than a similar-sized dog because there is so little fat to draw on. Do not try to put weight on them: a Whippet at a healthy weight looks thin.

Price

£700-£1,400 from a health-tested litter; working and racing lines are often at the lower end and are excellent dogs. Setup £250-£420; ongoing £55-£100 a month. Insurance is cheap, which tells you something.

Buying advice

Ask for the eye certificate and the MDR1 result. Ask what the parents do - raced, coursed, shown, or family pets - and match it to your life. See the mother; Whippet temperament is very heritable and a nervous dam is worth walking away from. And be honest with yourself about the prey drive and your fencing before you commit.