GENERAL APPEARANCE
Shoulder height: 44-51cm (17½”-20”).
Colour: Any colour, or mixture of colours.
Coat: Fine, short and close in texture.
Gait: Forelegs thrown well forward effortlessly in a ground covering stride with strong propulsion.
Having the appearance of a miniature greyhound, the Whippet is an elegant member of the sighthound family. The head is long and fine, and the bright alert eyes should never be lighter than the colour of the coat. The fine ears are either rose shaped and folded back, or semi-erect when the dog is alerted. The elegantly arched neck is strong and runs into a back that gracefully arches over the loin and then drops to a low set, low carried, tapering tail. The chest is deep allowing for plenty of heart room. The fine legs are well muscled with good hindquarter angulation and the arched knuckles are well split up between the toes.
CHARACTERISTICS AND CARE
Like most members in the sighthound family, Whippets have a gentle disposition. They do not bark excessively so make ideal companions in domestic situations. Being adaptable they are equally comfortable racing or lure coursing, and when getting a chance to fully extend themselves at a gallop, they are a joy to behold. Being intelligent and sensitive, they do not respond well to harsh training. Coat care is minimal, but if feeling cold in winter, a coat or some protection is recommended.
HISTORY
Unlike the rest of the sighthound family, the Whippet can not claim a long heritage. With the aim of creating a poor man’s smaller racing hound, this breed was evolved in the north of England from a blend of Greyhound, Italian Greyhound and Manchester Terrier crosses. Once known as the ‘Rag dogs’, a name earned from the owners’ habit of waving rags from the finishing line in the hope their dogs would respond and run faster. Besides coursing, Whippets also acquitted themselves well when hunting rabbits and hares.