The Whippet is beautiful,
regal and gentle. He loves to be with you, and is often called the "velcro
dog." This breed is incredibly affectionate, and wants to be with you
all the time. This dog is good with children. If you have a cat,
you probably should not introduce a whippet into the family unless it is a
puppy. The Whippet is hard wired to chase (and kill) small animals, so
watch for rabbits, mice, cats and other small creatures.
Although tall, this breed
cannot be handled roughly. They are more delicate than most dogs, and
do not have a lot of "padding" to protect them. These dogs will not do
well in the cold, and are sensitive to both hot and cold conditions.
The Whippet should wear a sweater in the cold, and should not be kept
outside in the extreme old or heat for any reason. Due to the dogs
"lack of padding," your Whippet will want to be on your soft furniture.
If you absolutely forbid this, you may want to choose a different breed of
dog for your home.
Whippets were bred to chase
small animals, and are incredibly fast. Be very careful on walks and
be sure your whippet is secure. If you see something run by quickly,
be ready to grab your Whippet. If the Whippet sees it before you, he
will be gone in a flash and will not come back. You will never be able
to chase him down, and he will not stop until he is very far away. You
may wish to have your Whippet microchipped for this very reason. Your
fence needs to be secure as well, since the Whippet has a strong urge to
chase and can jump high easily.
Training
The Whippet is easy to train and
wishes to please. He is smart and sensitive, so harsh training
will not work. The Whippet needs loving, gentle training.
Housetraining is fairly easy with the Whippet.
Exercise
The Whippet enjoys
walks and running. He does not require huge amounts exercise,
but should be able to run in a nice fenced yard every day. If
your Whippet begins to run around inside the house, he is not
getting enough exercise outside.
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Grooming
This breed is easy to care for and is an average
shedder.
Health
The Whippet is a healthy breed. Whippet's may be prone to
heart conditions. He may also require quick attention if he
receives a cut, since his skin is tight and the rip may quickly
spread. The Whippet is a sighthound and is extremely sensitive
to medications and strong chemical smells. Be sure your
veterinarian understands that your Whippet may need a smaller dosage
of medications as well as anesthesia.
