Whippet: characteristics, temperament and features of care

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

Whippet - the English greyhound breed of dogs most widespread among dog breeders. This breed has won its popularity thanks to loyalty to the owner, tranquility 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 to England, in the distant 1610 year. At this time, the Greyhounds were very popular on the British Isles. This big beautiful dog was considered an element of luxury, as it demanded a lot of attention, food and complex care. To keep such a pet could only very wealthy people.

For dog lovers who were not allowed to keep the Greyhounds low, it was necessary to breed a new budget. They came to the aid of breeders from northern England, who began to select the smallest representatives of the noble breed and cross them with others. Thanks to these efforts, now in the outlines of Whippet one can see the features of the Italian Greyhound, Terrier, and even Dachshund.

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

Already in the XIX century, most of the population of England moved to live in the city, but many of them remained craving for pets. Little greyhounds whippet perfectly suited for life in cramped urban conditions. Moreover, at this time in England are becoming very popular dog races. 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 among the population. In fact, this breed became the main source of income thanks to the dog races and the first hunter of food thanks to hunting qualities.

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

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

Due to the fact that the goal of the English breeders was to create a breed similar to the Greyhound, only smaller, this breed has external outlines similar to the Greyhound. Despite its excessive lean physique, the Whippet is a very muscular dog.that, in combination with long legs, gives her the opportunity to develop high speed while running. To keep balance and to maneuver easily at high speeds, dogs of this breed have a long thin tail that tapers at the end.

Growth in the withers of an average male is 47-51 cm, females - 44-47 cm. Due to its small size and developed musculature of the extremities, Whippet has a great jumping ability.

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

• Top-down flattened long skull, in which the facial portion to the tip of the nose is narrowed. Wide distance between eye sockets. The upper part of the skull has rounded shapes and smoothly passes into 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. Full dentition with straight teeth form a scissor bite. The upper row of incisors must cover the bottom.
• Oval small eyes, slightly raised in the outer corners. A distinctive feature of the breed - attentive and expressive look.
• Highly set ears with an open auricle, slightly raised on cartilage. To the touch are soft.
• Impressiveness of the breed gives the bend of the dog's neck. Despite the fact that it is long and dry, the presence of strong and developed muscles contributes to the strengthening of hunting skills. The head is planted at almost 90 degrees relative to the neck, which gives the king to 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 “hunchbacked dog”.
• In order for Whippet to have enough air at maximum speed, it must have a high volume of light. For this you need a well-defined deep chest, with a tucked up belly.
• In order for the dog to conform to the breed standard, he must have even long paws with developed strong muscles. Special attention is paid to the hind limbs. They must have clearly defined large muscles that will provide the dog with sufficient strength when running and jumping. Paws have an oval shape with strong pads on the fingers.
• Whip-like long tail hangs quietly, with a slightly upturned tip. In the excited state of the dog, he does not rise above the level of his back.
• The weight of an adult individual can reach 14 kilograms. However, the ideal weight is around 10 kilograms.

The whole appearance of the dog says that it is a great sprinter and not irreplaceable helper on the hunt. Its speed characteristics are among the best among the greyhounds of dogs. Thanks to her body structure and developed muscles, she can pursue the game for a long time, while abruptly 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 sight. This is due to the peculiarities of the smell of this breed.

For such a speedy dog ​​is characterized by a short, soft coat. It fits tightly to the body and does not cause discomfort while running. There is also a long-haired Whippet, but it does not meet the breed standard. There are no great requirements for the color of this breed. There can be both monophonic and mixed colors. There are the following whippet wool colors:

• white;
• the black;
• blue;
• yellow brown;
• brindle;
• red;
• isabella;
• hepatic.

Like all dogs, whippet has its advantages and disadvantages. Every breeder, of course, wants to pick up a pet to your liking and character. TAk, animals of this breed have their own advantages over other dogs.

• With such a developed musculature, Whippet is a frisky and energetic athlete, able to endure any physical activity. His tirelessness and agility distinguish him from other breeds. If you are a lover of sports lifestyle and outdoor activities, this dog will be your faithful companion and helper.
• Irreplaceable whippet and hunting. This is very gambling and agile hunters. Due to the peculiarities of the structure of their body, they easily and without any problems pursue the game, while developing a maximum speed of up to 60 km / h. Despite this high speed, they easily maneuver and can dramatically change the direction of motion.
• Dogs of this breed are distinguished by perseverance and perseverance. They are accustomed to carry out their tasks to the end. You just have to remember 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 masters "to the tip of the tail." The dog quickly and absolutely without any problems gets used to its owner and becomes his faithful companion. Thanks to this quality, Whippet learns quickly and is well trained.

There are practically no significant drawbacks of the dogs of this breed. 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. Early socialization and training will help eradicate this deficiency.
• Some dogs may not tolerate noise and screams. Whippets can become nervous, restless, or withdraw into themselves when exposed to them. When raising such dogs, it is necessary to refrain from an increased tone in communicating with the pet, as well as from family scandals in the presence of a dog.
• Sometimes whippet's stubbornness grows into stupid stubbornness. To avoid this, you must often praise the dog after a properly executed command.

Whippet's character corresponds to his graceful appearance. The dog has a very subtle nature. But despite this, she can behave in very different ways in different situations and settings.

So, being on a hunt, an animal is able to frantically and energetically pursue prey, quickly overcome long distances and not experience any difficulties. And while on vacation or a walk, Whippet can behave imposingly and stately. But everything will change dramatically if you decide to just play with him.

In a completely different way the dog behaves at home. She will do everything possible so that you do not notice her presence in the house, she becomes calm, kind, affectionate. All 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, it is necessary to ensure that the dog is not hurt while walking or playing. Whippet will never harm a child, so you can safely allow him to play in the company of children.

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

Possessing a good mind, Whippet quickly enough absorbs the task assigned to him and is easily amenable to education. 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 not resort to force, screams and violence. This will only aggravate the situation. The pet may withdraw into itself or become even more stubborn and stubborn. It is necessary to show affection and love for the dog, and she will respond with the same, especially since Whippet's love for the owner is unlimited.

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

Whippet breed was originally created as a kind of dog, unpretentious in content and does not require complex care. After all, as you know, it was intended for middle class citizens who do not have large incomes. So to maintain and care for this breed is not 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 a whippet outside. Dogs freeze quickly and do not tolerate even small temperature drops. Therefore, Whippet is classified as a domestic dog, and it is better to keep them in closed heated rooms, and not in open enclosures.

First, determine the place in the dog's house where it will be located. The dog should be comfortable and familiar at this place. You must immediately teach Whippet to his place. It is easy to do.

At the selected place you need to put a small mat. It is desirable that he was wearing a removable cloth cover. This will give you the opportunity to periodically remove the cover for washing, as well as to clean the mat from dust and wool of the animal. This must be done for sanitary purposes.

You need to choose a place with such a condition that the dog does not interfere with the other inhabitants of the house and that no one disturbs it.

You should not have a pet on the main highways of your home or near 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 because of its nature.

The dogs of this breed are rather 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 stable.

Of course, the smell of an animal and hairs of wool will be present in the room, this is all natural. But Whippet rather strictly refers to its own hygiene and spends on it quite a lot of time. 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 Whippet in the house on a leash. This is, firstly, inhuman and unethical with respect to the greyhound breed. Secondly, a dog with such a bright temperament and desire to run can experience moral shock, which will lead to a nervous breakdown and insubordination to the owner.

All dog breeders know that There are three ways to feed your pets:

• dry food or canned food;
• natural products;
• mixed food with natural products and ready-made feeds.

You must immediately decide on the type of feeding the dog, because at the age of 3 to 5 months your pet will develop taste and habits to certain products.

The first type includes dry food and canned food. This way of feeding appeared relatively recently and immediately became very popular among dog breeders. The main advantages of this nutritional method are the following factors:

• feed and canned food for their nutritional and beneficial substances are perfectly balanced;
• they are convenient and easy to use;
• a large abundance of special diets, depending on the age of the dog and its breed;
• the possibility of ingestion of low-quality products into the dog’s diet is practically excluded.

The main disadvantages of this type of food is some monotony in the dog's diet.

Although the appearance of these products is not very attractive, they are simply necessary for the health of the dog. They promote the pet's oral hygiene, preventing the formation of tartar, and also distract its attention from the furniture, shoes of the owner and interior items. Before choosing a dry food, consult with the seller, but rather trust the taste of your pet.

Feeding on natural products is the most common way of feeding the Whippet. After all, every dog ​​breeder wants to please his pet:

• varied diet;
• high taste of food;
• easily digestible food;
• favorite natural products.

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

Fish and poultry meat must be boiled and all bones removed, only after that it is suitable for feeding the 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 in the diet of boiled eggs makes it 100% digestible.

Of all the groats Whippet prefers rice or buckwheat. There are options with boiled vegetables. Do not pour out the decoction of vegetables, use it in the diet of your dog. This broth is rich in nutrients, minerals and vitamins. Boiled vegetables contribute to the good work of the intestines and clean it from toxins.

Be sure to include in the menu of your pet dairy products and vegetable oil. Such products have a good effect on the state of animal hair. You can experiment with natural products as you please, but you should remember that the diet of Whippet should consist of 75% protein and 25% cereal with boiled vegetables.

What kind of diet to choose for the dog, will prompt the pet and his health. You can react 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 differs in 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 go on 5-time feeding. 5-month puppies eat already 4 times a day, and by 7 months they switch to 3 meals a day.

To care for the Whippet will not take a lot of time and effort. The dog has a short coat, the undercoat is almost absent, so it is enough to gently comb the pet once a week. When carrying out this procedure, one should not be very zealous so as not to damage the skin of the dog. The process should bring pleasure to the pet.

Whippets shed in spring and autumn. It is at this time that the amount of wool increases, but remains as minimal as compared to other breeds. The absence of the characteristic smell of the dog makes it possible for a rare pet bathing.

In addition, do not forget about simple ways to maintain dog hygiene. Puppies, as usual, must go through all stages of vaccination. It is also important to regularly clean the ears and inspect them for the presence of ticks and other parasites.

It is necessary once every 2 weeks to cut and file the claws on the paws of the dog to prevent the accumulation of harmful bacteria under the claws. Regularly inspect and brush the teeth of the dog, 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 nourishing creams.

Dogs of this breed are not adapted to the winter cold. They very poorly tolerate low temperatures. Therefore, it is necessary in advance, before the onset of cold weather, to take care of clothes for your beloved pet. Such clothes for sale in specialized stores. For whippet, which is committed to sporting lifestyle and hunting, leaving is a bit more complicated due to the availability of training and training methods.

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

Exercise for quite a long time and is replete with 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 of this negative. All dog breeders agree that the breed is almost ideal for keeping in urban conditions, and raising dogs is compared with raising children.

All breeders of this breed are captivated by the loyalty, love and caress of the Whippet. Many even believe that these dogs contribute to improving the character of their owners, providing a good influence on them.

All about the Whippet dog breed, see below.