GROUP 4 - HOUNDS

Brief History
The Whippet is a dog breed of medium size. They are a sighthound breed that originated in England, where they descended from Greyhounds. Whippets today still strongly resemble a smaller Greyhound.

Average Life Span
When considering a dog please realise that you are taking it on for its lifetime.

The average life span is 14 to 17 years.

Temperament
Gentle, affectionate, even tempered, sensitive.

The Whippet is one of the least aggressive of dogs, both with people and with other dogs. He is gentle and affectionate in the extreme but should not be at all retiring or shy.

General Breed Description
The Whippet should give the impression of muscular power and strength along with elegance and grace of outline.

This breed may form a very close relationship with one particular person. They are happy to spend the day on the couch or go for a walk, so are an ideal companion to have in the house, being highly adaptable in both domestic and sporting surroundings.

Whippets are intelligent and willing to learn. They are amenable to discipline and very anxious to please. Patience is the key to training this breed, and harsh correction should never be used.

They are a versatile breed that will enjoy many activities such as lure coursing and agility and can be good at obedience.

They can be any colour or mixture of colours, solid, brindle, or parti-coloured.

Coat and Care Requirements
Whippets make for clean, odour-free pets and their smooth, short-haired coat is easy to groom. Brush with a bristle brush when necessary and bath occasionally. A weekly rub with a damp mitt and your Whippet will be ready to walk the runway. Trim their nails and brush their coat regularly. Whippets shed moderately. This breed may feel the cold in winter and enjoy the comfort of a coat at night. Good security is necessary.

Size
Height: Males 47 to 51cms (18.5 to 20ins), Females 44 to 47cms (17.5 to 18.5ins).

Health
All breeds have individual health issues. When speaking to breeders it is recommended you enquire about breed’s health and what health testing the breeder does. The Whippet is generally very healthy. However, some health conditions will occur.

Suitability
Whippets make great family pets and loyal companions.

In Conclusion
Now you know a little more about this breed. If you have decided this is the dog for you and wish to investigate further, please contact the Breed Club or Dogs Victoria. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog events where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the breed and its needs. With any breed of dog, it is important to research and determine suitability for your lifestyle before committing to a puppy which will be a part of your family for many years to come.

Whilst many breeds are recommended for families, it is imperative that when children are with dogs they are supervised at all times. Basic obedience training is a vital part of dog ownership.

Dogs Victoria is about the responsible ownership of all dogs and in particular the preservation of pure breeds.

Link to Dogs Australia Breed Standard https://dogsaustralia.org.au/breed/detail/147