Whippet

Whippet

The Whippet, known as the poor man's racehorse in days gone by, is the fastest domesticated animal. Faster than a Greyhound over short distances, the Whippet can reach speeds of up to 35 miles (56 km) an hour.

History:

The origin of the Whippet is lost in antiquity - or founded in the 1800s, depending on who you ask. The ancient origin theory rests its arguments on archeological evidence. A statue from Pompei depicts two Whippet-like dogs attacking a boar, while a Greco-Roman "group of dogs" standing in the British Museum shows two dogs in a typical Whippet-like stance. The skeleton thought to be the oldest dog remains in England, is apparently consistent with the Whippet skeleton of today.

The second theory holds that the Whippet is a scaled-down version of the Greyhound. This was the work of the breeder who couldn't afford to feed a dog as large as the Greyhound, who then crossed it with, variously, the Bedlington Terrier, Manchester Terrier, Italian Greyhound and the Old English White Terrier.

However it was developed, there is no disputing that the Whippet became the poor man's racehorse. As well as being an excellent ratter, the Whippet was used for snap racing, or rabbit coursing. When this was considered to be cruel, the rules were changed so that the Whippets were raced towards their owners, who would hold rags to entice them. This is the origin of the name Rag-dog. It is also said that Whippets were very good for chicken poachers, because they were small enough to be concealed under a coat.

Physical characteristics:

Height: 18 - 22 in (46 - 56 cm). Weight: 28 lb (13 kg). Whatever its origin, there is no denying that the Whippet is a breed built for speed. From the long muscular legs to the well-muscled roached back and deep chest, this dog is built to run. The head is as streamlined as the body, the skull is flat, and the ears are set on low and are rose-shaped. The tail is long and tapering and is customarily held curved into the body. The coat is very fine, short and dense, and any color is acceptable.

Behavior:

This dog is often regarded as a pocket battleship, as it has all the characteristics of its larger cousin, the Greyhound. The Whippet has a very determined spirit and seems to thrive upon competition. As with Greyhounds, the Whippet also has a strong chase reflex. People training Whippets other than for racing should be aware that this dog is very easily distracted by moving objects and will take off at the slightest excuse. Nowadays, the Whippet is mainly kept as a companion animal, and it suits this role very well. It is wise to avoid crowds and sudden noises, or condition them as puppies because these dogs will take fright quite easily.