can you tell me a bit about the whippet, breeders?

Question

i might get a whippet so breeders can you tell me a little about them?

Answer 1

Boy, there sure are alot of myths about Whippets on this board, I wish people would not answer questions when they no nothing about the topic.


Whippets are very sweet, cuddly, and affectionate, and they will expect to be on your furniture and in your bed. They are sensitive, and do not do well with loud boisterous homes, nor with harsh training methods.

They are pretty lazy, with brief but intense bursts of energy and speed. They are EXTREMELY naughty and wild as puppies, and they don't really mature until 2-3 (and I have had a couple that never really did). I have had a few other breeds, as well as taught many puppy kindergarten classes, and they are WAY wilder than most other breeds. And then, at 2-3 they will settle down into a (mostly) calm, lazy dog.

Whippets were bred to hunt hares, and will hunt in your yard if there are critters there. You will have to do 'clean-up'.

Whippets were bred to hunt independantly of people and they will not be looking to you for guidance. They often have their own agenda and are not overly concerned with pleasing you. As a matter of fact, they can be very good at manipulating you! In addition to not being highly trainable, they are very smart and will get into the most unbelievable things. I know people who have to duct tape the refrigerator door shut, as the hounds have figured out how to open it. You will need to have a sense of humor about the naughtiness and understand this is just their nature (not to mention keeping the house VERY dog-proof). Some people can't handle a dog that does not care about pleasing them.

If you have cold winters they need clothes. Sweaters in the house and coats for outside. Some of mine LOVE their clothes.

They also have anesthesia problems and should be seen by a Vet that is experienced with sighthounds.

The are sometimes not easy keepers and it can be hard to keep weight on. The eat ALOT for a dog their size.

They are NEVER to be trusted offlead. No matter how calm they may seem, if they see something to chase they will be long gone and you will probably never see them again. They can get pretty freaked after they run away and tend to turn feral quickly. Most breeders are going to want you to have a fenced yard.

Go to a show or field trial (ASFA.org for event schedule) to meet breeders. You can also look at the website for the American Whippet Club for breeders. MOST Whippet breeders are good breeders, but there are a few that are questionable.

Be forewarned, Whippet breeders are VERY protective of their breed! ANY good breeder is going to question you alot to make sure you have good intentions and it would be the right home for a Whippet.

They are a VERY special breed, unlike any other I've had. I absolutely LOVE their intelligence, sweetness, and naughtiness!

Answer 2

a friend of mine has a whippet.
she reccued him from a rescue organization.
whippets are raced like grayhounds.
but they are smaller then them.
her whippet likes to run. but only for short periods of time. then gets tired out. whey like to sleep in your bed. and do not bark. they are kinda shy. and will really only like to be the only pet in the house.

hth

Answer 3

Wow...did YOU come to the WRONG PLACE!!! TOTALLY IGNORANT answers so far!

Go to the AKC site & READ THE BREED STANDARD! Go to a show & MEET the breed & talk to the people who actually KNOW & CARE about their breed!!

NEAT dawgs! Generally sweet tempered(YOU MUST TRAIN ANY DOG),sighthounds,can run 35 mph,jump 6 fence,bred to hunt/course...but like EVERY dog...will sleep 20 hrs. a day. LOVE heat,don't like cold. etc.etc.

Answer 4

whippets are very skiddish. My friend has one and he stands in between the guys legs wherever he goes. its his safe spot. its kinda cute.

Answer 5

They're totally psychotic and have a 95% chance of having epilepsy.

Answer 6

skinny little greyhounds, nervous dogs