Whippets: characteristics, temperament and features of care

More and more urban residents are eager to get a pet, namely a dog. It is quite difficult to choose a dog breed that would meet the requirements for living in an apartment of a multi-family house. However, there is a breed that is ideal for living in the city - Whippet.

Whippet is the most common English greyhound breed for dog breeders. This breed has gained its popularity due to devotion to the owner, calmness and obedience. At its core, it is a versatile dog that will suit any dog ​​breeder with different requirements.

To better understand the whippet, you need to familiarize yourself with the history of this breed., whose roots go back to England, in the distant 1610 year. Greyhounds were very popular in the British Isles at this time. This large beautiful dog was considered an element of luxury, as it required a lot of attention, food and sophisticated care. Only very wealthy people could keep such a pet.

For dog lovers who did not allow low incomes to keep greyhounds, it was necessary to breed a new budget breed. Breeders from northern England came to their aid, who began to select the smallest representatives of the noble breed and cross them with others. Thanks to these efforts, the features of Italian greyhound, terrier and even dachshund can now be seen in the outline of the whippet.

All this was done in order to obtain the optimal breed of dogs for the middle and lower classes of the population of England. The result was a small greyhound, capable of developing very high speed.Its speed can be compared with a whip.

Already in the XIX century, most of the population of England moved to live in cities, but many of them still had a craving for pets. Little greyhounds whippets were great for living in cramped urban environments. In addition, dog racing became very popular in England at that time. Possessing high speed, this breed quickly gained great popularity among fans of this hobby.

Like any dog, Whippet was always a hunter by nature. And not a bad earner. This was another reason for the popularity of this breed in the population. In fact, this breed became the main source of income due to dog races and the first earner of food due to hunting qualities.

At that time, Whippet was little like a modern image of the breed. Its appearance was more like a cur and was completely devoid of elegance and aristocracy. It was dominated by the external features of terriers, and they did not at all resemble purebred dogs.

Due to its great popularity among ordinary people, this breed interested representatives of high society in England. In these times, dog shows are very popular. Their goal is the breeding and breeding of new dog breeds.

Due to the fact that the aim of the English breeders was to create a breed similar to Greyhound, only smaller, this breed has an outward shape similar to Greyhound. In spite of her overweight physique, Whippet is a very muscular dog., which in combination with long paws gives her the opportunity to develop high speed when running. To keep their balance and easy to maneuver at high speeds, dogs of this breed have a long thin tail that tapers at the end.

Growth at the withers of an average male is 47-51 cm, females 44-47 cm. Due to its small size and well-developed musculature of the limbs, the whippet has great jumping ability.

In 1903, the breed standard was adopted, according to which the whippet should look in a certain way.

• Flattened from top to bottom, a long skull, in which the front part narrows to the tip of the nose. The wide distance between the eye sockets. The upper part of the skull has a rounded shape and smoothly passes into the withers.
• The nose may have a different color depending on the color of the dog. However, the color should be uniform, without partial pigmentation and inclusions.
• Powerful dry jaws with white teeth have a clear outline. A complete dentition with straight teeth forms a scissor bite. The top row of incisors must necessarily cover the bottom.
• Oval small eyes, slightly raised in the outer corners. A distinctive feature of the breed is an attentive and expressive look.
• High set ears with open auricle, slightly raised on the cartilage. Soft to the touch.
• Impressiveness of the breed gives the dog a bend in the neck. Despite the fact that it is long and dry, the presence of strong and developed muscles helps to strengthen hunting skills. The head is set almost at 90 degrees relative to the neck, which makes the royal become a dog.
• At first glance, the body of the dog seems thin. Ideally, it should be dry and long, and an elegant arch should be clearly visible in the lumbar region. The body of the dog should be muscular, strong, with a long back, which allows you to develop a large amplitude when running.Despite such data, the appearance of the dog should not be like a "humpback dog."
• In order for the whippet to have enough air at maximum running speed, it must have large volume lungs. To do this, you need a well-defined deep chest, with a tucked up stomach.
• In order for the dog to meet the breed standard, it must have smooth long legs with strong strong muscles. Particular attention is paid to the hind limbs. They must have pronounced large muscles that provide the dog with sufficient strength when running and jumping. The paws are oval with strong pads on the fingers.
• A whip-like long tail hangs quietly, with its tip slightly upturned. In an excited state of a dog, he rises no higher than his back.
• The weight of an adult can reach 14 kilograms. However, the ideal weight is around 10 kilograms.

The whole appearance of the dog suggests that it is an excellent sprinter and an indispensable assistant for hunting. Its speed characteristics are one of the best among greyhounds. Due to its body structure and developed muscles, it can pursue game for a long time, while sharply maneuvering. A feature of the whippets is that they are oriented not like all dogs with the help of smell, but with the help of vision. This is due to the peculiarities of smell of this breed.

Such a fast dog is characterized by a short, soft coat. It is tight to the body and does not cause discomfort when running. A long-haired whippet is also found, but it does not meet the breed standard. There are no large requirements for the color of this breed. There can be both plain and mixed colors. The following whippet coat colors are distinguished:

• white;
• the black;
• blue;
• tan;
• brindle;
• red;
• isabella;
• hepatic.

Like all dogs, a whippet has its own strengths and weaknesses. Each breeder, of course, wants to choose a pet for his taste and character. Ta. Animals of this breed have their own advantages over other dogs.

• With such developed muscles, whippet is a playful and energetic athlete, able to withstand any physical exertion. His tirelessness and playfulness set him apart from other breeds. If you are a lover of a sporting lifestyle and outdoor activities, this dog will become your faithful companion and helper.
• Whippets are also irreplaceable on the hunt. These are very gambling and dexterous hunters. Due to the peculiarities of their body structure, they easily and without problems pursue game, while developing a maximum speed of up to 60 km / h. Despite such a high speed, they easily maneuver and can dramatically change the direction of movement.
• Dogs of this breed are persistent and persistent. They are used to completing their tasks to the end. You just do not forget to praise the pet after the execution of your team.
• Whippet is considered a domestic, family dog. Possessing boundless kindness and affection, they are devoted to their owners "to the tip of the tail." The dog quickly and absolutely without any problems gets used to his master and becomes his faithful companion. Thanks to this quality, the whippet learns quickly and lends itself well to training.

Dogs of this breed practically do not have significant shortcomings. There are only small negative character traits that are easily corrected by training and education.

• Whippet is very shy by nature. Sometimes it even develops into fear and cowardice. Eradicate this deficiency will help early socialization and training.
• Some dogs may not tolerate noise and screaming. When exposed to them, the whippet can become nervous, restless, or become isolated in itself. When raising such dogs, it is necessary to refrain from increased tone in communication with the pet, as well as from family scandals in the presence of a dog.
• Sometimes Whippet’s tenacity turns into stupid stubbornness. To avoid this, it is necessary to praise the dog more often after a correctly executed command.

Whippet's character is consistent with his graceful appearance. The dog has a very refined nature. But despite this, she can behave completely differently in different situations and situations.

So, while hunting, the animal is able to passionately and vigorously pursue prey, quickly overcome long distances and not experience any difficulties. And while on vacation or for a walk, a whippet can behave imposingly and stately. But everything will change dramatically if you decide to just play with him.

In a completely different way, a dog behaves at home. She will do everything possible so that you do not notice her presence in the house, become calm, kind, affectionate. All dogs of other breeds can envy her devotion. Whippet is devoted to absolutely all family members, regardless of gender and age.

Dogs of this breed are absolutely harmless. Therefore, care must be taken that the dog is not hurt during walks or games. Whippet will never harm a child, so he can safely allow games in the company of children.

Due to its calmness, the dog easily contacts and gets along with all animals. However, you need to be careful if there are cats or rabbits in the house.

Having a good mind, whippet quickly learns the task assigned to him and is easily amenable to upbringing. Sometimes there may be problems with excessive stubbornness and perseverance. It is necessary to show patience and affection for the dog.

In no case should you resort to forceful methods, screaming and violence. This will only aggravate the situation. A pet can become isolated or become even more stubborn and persistent. It is necessary to show affection and love for the dog, and she will answer the same, especially since Whippet's love for the owner is unlimited.

Of course, all the watchdog qualities of this dog are practically reduced to zero, but it still remains an animal with its own reflexes.

The Whippet breed was originally created as a breed of dogs, unpretentious in content and does not require complex care. After all, as you know, it was intended for the middle class of citizens who do not have large incomes. So keeping and caring for this breed will not be difficult even for a novice dog breeder.

The structure of the body, the presence of a short pile of wool and the absence of undercoat made it impossible to keep whippet on the street. Dogs freeze quickly and do not tolerate even small temperature drops. Therefore, whippets are categorized as domestic dogs, and it is better to keep them in closed, heated rooms, rather than in open-air cages.

First, determine the place in the house of the dog, where he will be. The dog should be comfortable and familiar at this place. You must immediately accustom the whippet to its place. This is easy to do.

On the chosen place you need to put a small rug. It is advisable that he be wearing a removable cloth cover.This will give you the opportunity to periodically remove the cover for washing it, as well as to clean the mat from dust and animal hair. This must be done for sanitary purposes.

It is necessary to choose a place with such a condition that the dog does not interfere with the rest of the inhabitants of the house and that no one bothers it.

Do not place your pet on the main highways of your house or next to them. For example, at the front door, in the aisles, in the kitchen. This will create discomfort for you and the dog. The ideal place is to separate a small corner in the living room. Whippet quickly adapts due to its nature.

Dogs of this breed are quite clean. Therefore, the selected room should be clean and well ventilated. The fact that an animal will live in it does not mean that it should be a barn or a barn.

Of course, the room will have the smell of an animal and hairs of wool, it's all natural. But whippet is quite strict about its own hygiene and spends a rather large amount of time on it. Therefore, you will have to match your pet and keep the house clean so as not to cause discomfort to the dog and yourself.

In no case do not keep the whippet in the house on a leash. This is, firstly, inhumane and unethical in relation to the greyhound breed. Secondly, a dog with such a bright temperament and desire to run can experience a moral shock, which will lead to a nervous breakdown and disobedience to the owner.

All dog breeders know that You can feed your pets in three ways:

• dry food or canned food;
• natural products;
• mixed nutrition with natural products and prepared feeds.

It is necessary to immediately determine the type of feeding the dog, since at the age of 3 to 5 months your pet will develop a taste and habits for certain foods.

The first type includes dry food and canned food. This method of nutrition appeared relatively recently and immediately gained great popularity among dog breeders. The main advantages of this method of nutrition are the following factors:

• feed and canned foods are perfectly balanced in their nutrients and nutrients;
• they are convenient and easy to use;
• a large abundance of special diets, depending on the age of the dog and its breed;
• practically excluded the possibility of getting low-quality products in the dog’s diet.

The main disadvantages of this type of food include some uniformity in the dog’s diet.

Although the appearance of these products is not very attractive, but for the health of the dog they are simply necessary. They contribute to the hygiene of the pet’s oral cavity, preventing the formation of tartar, and also distract his attention from furniture, shoes, and home furnishings. Before choosing a dry food, consult the seller, but rather trust the taste of your pet.

Feeding natural foods is the most common way to feed a whippet. After all, every dog ​​breeder wants to please his pet:

• a varied diet;
• high palatability of food;
• easily digestible feed;
• favorite organic foods.

The most popular natural food is meat. It can be given to a dog both raw and boiled.The necessary daily rate for an adult dog is 25-35 grams per 1 kilogram of weight. Raw meat is assimilated by 90%, and boiled meat by 60%.

The meat of fish and poultry must be boiled and all bones removed, only after that it is suitable for feeding whippet. Poultry meat is less nutritious than fish meat, so it requires a greater amount in the pet's diet. A universal product for feeding any dog ​​is eggs. The presence of boiled eggs in the diet makes it 100% digestible.

Of all the cereals, Whippet prefers rice or buckwheat. Options with boiled vegetables are possible. Do not pour decoction from vegetables, use it in your dog’s diet. This broth is rich in nutrients, minerals and vitamins. Boiled vegetables contribute to the good work of the intestines and to cleanse it of toxins.

Be sure to include sour-milk products and vegetable oil in your pet's menu. Such products have a good effect on the condition of the animal’s hair. You can experiment with natural products as you like, but you must remember that the whippet's diet should consist of 75% protein and 25% cereals with boiled vegetables.

What diet to choose for the dog, the pet will tell you and his well-being. You can respond to the state of whippet by changing the composition of natural products in the dog’s menu. Increase the protein component or, conversely, plant foods. To make your pet feel great, provide him with quality food.

At different stages of development, whippet feeding is distinguished by the number of servings and the frequency of feeding. Up to 2 months, puppies are fed 6 times a day every 3 hours. From 2 to 2 months, they switch to 5-time feeding. 5-month-old puppies feed already 4 times a day, and by 7 months they switch to 3 meals a day.

Whippet care does not require much effort and time. The dog has a short coat, the undercoat is practically absent, so it is enough to brush the pet carefully once a week. When carrying out this procedure, one does not have to be very zealous so as not to damage the skin of the dog. The process should be fun for the pet.

Whippets shed in spring and autumn. It was at this time that the amount of wool increased, but remained all the same minimal, in comparison with other breeds. The absence of a characteristic smell of the dog makes it possible for a rare bathing of the pet.

In addition, do not forget about simple ways to maintain dog hygiene. Puppies, as usual, must go through all stages of the vaccination. Regular cleaning of the auricles and their inspection for the presence of ticks and other parasites is also important.

It is necessary to cut and file the claws on the paws of the dog once every 2 weeks to prevent the accumulation of harmful bacteria under the claws. Regularly inspect and brush the dog’s teeth, and also check the oral cavity for abrasions and damage. The most vulnerable places are the elbows on the paws of the whippets. They often dry, so you need to regularly lubricate them with nutritious creams.

Dogs of this breed are not at all adapted to winter cold. They tolerate very low temperatures. Therefore, it is worthwhile in advance, before the onset of cold weather, to take care of clothing for your beloved pet. Such clothes are sold in specialized stores.For a whippet who is committed to a sporting lifestyle and hunting, care is a little complicated due to the availability of training and training methods.

When training a whippet, one should remember that all teams should be given in a friendly manner, in a calm tone. Dogs of this breed are very touchy and vulnerable and simply refuse to fulfill your commands if you talk to them in an unfriendly tone.

Workouts last quite a long time and abound in great physical exertion. They can include both simple jogging and circus tricks with jumps.

Among the large number of reviews about dogs of this breed you will not find any negative. All dog breeders agree that the breed is almost ideal for keeping in urban conditions, and the upbringing of dogs is compared with the upbringing of children.

All breeders of this breed are captivated by loyalty, love and affection of Whippet. Many even believe that these dogs help to improve the character of their owners, having a good effect on them.

All about the Whippet dog breed see below.