Patchworkpony
Well-Known Member
Please tell me about whippets as a breed, with all the breed pros and cons, and also about the problems of taking on a rescue whippet.
Please tell me about whippets as a breed and rescue whippets
- Thread starter Patchworkpony
- Start date
Chiffy
Well-Known Member
Whippets were my first love and I may well return to them in my old age! As soon as I wasn't working full time we got a whippet. She was a delight, easy and biddable. We bred a litter and the daughter we kept was more outward going but just as charming.
In typical sight hound style they love to run but have short bursts of high speed. A poem I read once said 'runs like a ribbon round the lawn'!
Mine were just easy, would chill out or go for long walks.
My daughter suggested a whippet to a friend a couple of years ago and every time they meet she gets thanked!
They are hugely popular, I reckon there were more whippets than Labradors at Burghley this year.
My only experience of rescues is our whippet, greyhound cross. She was nervous and quiet when she arrived, afraid of everything even walking past parked cars. She had not been socialised. It took quiet patience, she was very car sick too, just nerves. She is five now and just perfect, obedient, good with children and dogs. Can go riding with the horse, absolutely versatile.
They all like their home comforts, snugly bed...or yours and a winter coat.
I could go on but no doubt others will tell you more.
In typical sight hound style they love to run but have short bursts of high speed. A poem I read once said 'runs like a ribbon round the lawn'!
Mine were just easy, would chill out or go for long walks.
My daughter suggested a whippet to a friend a couple of years ago and every time they meet she gets thanked!
They are hugely popular, I reckon there were more whippets than Labradors at Burghley this year.
My only experience of rescues is our whippet, greyhound cross. She was nervous and quiet when she arrived, afraid of everything even walking past parked cars. She had not been socialised. It took quiet patience, she was very car sick too, just nerves. She is five now and just perfect, obedient, good with children and dogs. Can go riding with the horse, absolutely versatile.
They all like their home comforts, snugly bed...or yours and a winter coat.
I could go on but no doubt others will tell you more.
EventingMum
Well-Known Member
I don't know much about Whippets but someone I know has just got a rescue one from a lady who gets them sent to her from Ireland. He is 2 or 3 years old and is delightful. He was in very poor condition but is slowly looking better, he has a lovely nature, although slightly wary, he's good with children and other dogs. He is totally devoted to his new owner and follows her like a shadow. I'm a huge Jack Russell fan but could easily be swayed to a whippet now.
Leo Walker
Well-Known Member
Did someone shout for me? :lol:
I'll never be without one again
My dog is the absolute love of my life. I have never known a dog with a nicer nature. He loves dog, kids, everyone and everything he meets. He is just a sunny natured, gregarious ball of fun!
He will be happy with a quick blast round the park but equally when I was rehabbing my back we clocked up 50 to 60 miles a week fell walking on average. He loves toys and playing games. He swims, he fetches, he retrieves out of water. He recalls brilliantly apart from the very odd occasion where a rabbit jumps up under his nose.
He was clicker trained and did trick training, he had a go at agility, we used to go racing before we moved out of the area. I've taken him out for the day on the train, we went all over on the bus as well. And I've taken him to untold amounts of friends and families houses.
He doesnt seem to shed, doesnt smell, if he gets wet he dries quickly and if he gets muddy by the time hes dry hes glossy black again. He sleeps in the bed and is the best hot water bottle going.
The downsides are, he is a princess! He genuinely feels things too deeply and can be mortally wounded by not getting something when he thinks hes entitled to it, or if he feels someone hasnt treated him fairly. I have to sneak a couple of biscuits into the vets with me as when he was a puppy his vet used to give him a biscuit after a jab etc, so now hes distraught if there is no biscuit forthcoming :lol:
He HATES the rain and will lay down and play dead if its raining and you try and take him out. He has to be physically pushed out of the door to go for a wee as well.
It took me ages to house train him and for a while his recall was terrible! Adolescent whippets are known for being a bit of a handful. But probably no worse than most dogs. And OMG, the thieving!! Hes 5yr old now and hasnt stolen anything in years! But he really did steal anything that wasnt nailed down. He once climbed on top of the kitchen worktop so he could get his paws ontop of the 6 foot freezer to steal an entire cherry pie. I can laugh now, not so much at the time!
Mine is working bred and I was his 4th home at about 13 weeks, and I was a gun dog person. I had no idea how to deal with the defiant little devil I got. We were at odds for a while and he really was exceptionally difficult. The majority of it was my fault though, and I have another pup provisionally booked for 8 weeks time so I clearly wasnt too put off :lol:
I just adore him, hes the best thing thats ever happened to me and I dont think I'll ever have another dog like him, but everyone I've ever met are fundamentally the same, just some of them are little monsters and most are not :lol:
Obligatory pictures!
Apparently if it rains when hes out, it BUUURRRRNNNNS!!
sleeping as usual!
sleeping again!
He likes his basket to be carried outside when its sunny, hes too precious to lay direct on the decking :lol:
paddling
resting where its more comfortable!
retrieving out of water
walking on water!
giving me cheek
Incoming
His one and only show, he did not deserve that reserve champion rosette! It was awarded as only 2 were forward and he won his class, which was Child Handler, after he was so badly behaved that at one point he stole a bin bag full of rubbish from the side of the ring and dragged it everywhere. It was more whippet wrangling than Child Handler :lol:
So the point of all this is, I tell everyone I meet to get a whippet, I cant recommend them highly enough, they are generally lovely natured, outgoing, incredibly fun little dogs, but dont expect them to behave like collies. Mine has no desire to please, he likes to please himself thanks :lol: We trained him by getting what I wanted, to coincide with what he wanted. Once I worked that out it was easy! But I did despair for a long time and would have rehomed him when he was at the worst of his adolescent stage, except I couldnt think of anyone I disliked enough to inflict him on :lol: But he is genuinely the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I wouldnt change a thing! Next one is coming direct from the breeder though so I start with a clean slate
I'll never be without one again
My dog is the absolute love of my life. I have never known a dog with a nicer nature. He loves dog, kids, everyone and everything he meets. He is just a sunny natured, gregarious ball of fun!He will be happy with a quick blast round the park but equally when I was rehabbing my back we clocked up 50 to 60 miles a week fell walking on average. He loves toys and playing games. He swims, he fetches, he retrieves out of water. He recalls brilliantly apart from the very odd occasion where a rabbit jumps up under his nose.
He was clicker trained and did trick training, he had a go at agility, we used to go racing before we moved out of the area. I've taken him out for the day on the train, we went all over on the bus as well. And I've taken him to untold amounts of friends and families houses.
He doesnt seem to shed, doesnt smell, if he gets wet he dries quickly and if he gets muddy by the time hes dry hes glossy black again. He sleeps in the bed and is the best hot water bottle going.
The downsides are, he is a princess! He genuinely feels things too deeply and can be mortally wounded by not getting something when he thinks hes entitled to it, or if he feels someone hasnt treated him fairly. I have to sneak a couple of biscuits into the vets with me as when he was a puppy his vet used to give him a biscuit after a jab etc, so now hes distraught if there is no biscuit forthcoming :lol:
He HATES the rain and will lay down and play dead if its raining and you try and take him out. He has to be physically pushed out of the door to go for a wee as well.
It took me ages to house train him and for a while his recall was terrible! Adolescent whippets are known for being a bit of a handful. But probably no worse than most dogs. And OMG, the thieving!! Hes 5yr old now and hasnt stolen anything in years! But he really did steal anything that wasnt nailed down. He once climbed on top of the kitchen worktop so he could get his paws ontop of the 6 foot freezer to steal an entire cherry pie. I can laugh now, not so much at the time!
Mine is working bred and I was his 4th home at about 13 weeks, and I was a gun dog person. I had no idea how to deal with the defiant little devil I got. We were at odds for a while and he really was exceptionally difficult. The majority of it was my fault though, and I have another pup provisionally booked for 8 weeks time so I clearly wasnt too put off :lol:
I just adore him, hes the best thing thats ever happened to me and I dont think I'll ever have another dog like him, but everyone I've ever met are fundamentally the same, just some of them are little monsters and most are not :lol:
Obligatory pictures!
Apparently if it rains when hes out, it BUUURRRRNNNNS!!
sleeping as usual!
sleeping again!
He likes his basket to be carried outside when its sunny, hes too precious to lay direct on the decking :lol:
paddling
resting where its more comfortable!
retrieving out of water
walking on water!
giving me cheek
Incoming
His one and only show, he did not deserve that reserve champion rosette! It was awarded as only 2 were forward and he won his class, which was Child Handler, after he was so badly behaved that at one point he stole a bin bag full of rubbish from the side of the ring and dragged it everywhere. It was more whippet wrangling than Child Handler :lol:
So the point of all this is, I tell everyone I meet to get a whippet, I cant recommend them highly enough, they are generally lovely natured, outgoing, incredibly fun little dogs, but dont expect them to behave like collies. Mine has no desire to please, he likes to please himself thanks :lol: We trained him by getting what I wanted, to coincide with what he wanted. Once I worked that out it was easy! But I did despair for a long time and would have rehomed him when he was at the worst of his adolescent stage, except I couldnt think of anyone I disliked enough to inflict him on :lol: But he is genuinely the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I wouldnt change a thing! Next one is coming direct from the breeder though so I start with a clean slate
Leo Walker
Well-Known Member
Devoted is exactly the right word! Hes a proper mummies boy, but he also adores my OH, they play rough bitey face games and go jogging together. When my 10yr old niece comes to stay he goes into mourning for a few days when she goes home! Hes sitting next to me on the sofa now, pushed right up against me, head on my knee sleeping. He likes to be touching either a person or another dog or the cat at all times :lol:
Last edited:
Chiffy
Well-Known Member
Thought you would be along FrankieCob! Well done, let's have a whippet appreciation society, I wonder if Levrier will be along soon. She has greyhounds at the moment but loves whippets too.
I have now read your post properly and although your dog has lots of whippet ways, he is not typical. I have never had one that stole and mine were easy and biddable to train.
Mine were full of fun but very gentle.
I have now read your post properly and although your dog has lots of whippet ways, he is not typical. I have never had one that stole and mine were easy and biddable to train.
Mine were full of fun but very gentle.
Last edited:
Leo Walker
Well-Known Member
He was a git :lol: Hes not now though I do think the majority of them have thieving tendencies, or maybe I just mix in the wrong crowd :lol: Mine is working bred and very, very switched on, once I learnt how to train him hes never been a problem, hence he will retrieve out of water even though he despises rain. I just had to learn how to do it and found him very, very different to spaniels and collies etc.
I've got another one as well, a bitch. I didnt mention her as she is literally no bother at all and has never put so much as a toe out of line in the time I have had her. She wouldnt steal something if I left it in her bed :lol: Shes probably whippet x something with collie and saluki.
I do think the majority of them have thieving tendencies, or maybe I just mix in the wrong crowd :lol: Mine is working bred and very, very switched on, once I learnt how to train him hes never been a problem, hence he will retrieve out of water even though he despises rain. I just had to learn how to do it and found him very, very different to spaniels and collies etc.I've got another one as well, a bitch. I didnt mention her as she is literally no bother at all and has never put so much as a toe out of line in the time I have had her. She wouldnt steal something if I left it in her bed :lol: Shes probably whippet x something with collie and saluki.
Last edited:
Patchworkpony
Well-Known Member
Gosh I'm tempted BUT this afternoon I may just have bought a spaniel. Shhhhh!
Chiffy
Well-Known Member
Oh no Pwp! Nothing like a whippet!
Leo Walker
Well-Known Member
Noooo! How could you! Although if you wanted another one Dylan favourite sort of dog in the whole world to play with other than another whippet, is a spaniel
Annette4
Well-Known Member
Horrible dogs...
Not at all affectionate
They need lots of exercise
They can never be let off the lead
They are really hard to socialise
On a serious note, my girl is amazing but she wasn't an easy puppy. House training wasn't as easy as the corgi (only when the weather was bad......and a few poos out of protest) and as you can see she does need to be muzzled when there might be fluffies around or this happens
She is ball obsessed and has been easy to train, recall is 99% but if there's a bunny i have no chance. She is happy with two short walks as long as she can run but will happily walk all day.
Fizz is lovely and quiet in the house, as long as she has a duvet she's a very happy dog. She does feel the cold so has to be wrapped up (she even wears fleecey pj's overnight in the winter) and although she hates water, she's a real grotbag for rolling in stinky dead things.
Not at all affectionate
They need lots of exercise
They can never be let off the lead
They are really hard to socialise
On a serious note, my girl is amazing but she wasn't an easy puppy. House training wasn't as easy as the corgi (only when the weather was bad......and a few poos out of protest) and as you can see she does need to be muzzled when there might be fluffies around or this happens
She is ball obsessed and has been easy to train, recall is 99% but if there's a bunny i have no chance. She is happy with two short walks as long as she can run but will happily walk all day.
Fizz is lovely and quiet in the house, as long as she has a duvet she's a very happy dog. She does feel the cold so has to be wrapped up (she even wears fleecey pj's overnight in the winter) and although she hates water, she's a real grotbag for rolling in stinky dead things.
{97702}
...
I adore whippets, they were my first proper dog when I was 17 years old and could get something other than my mother's CKCS They are clean, easy, adaptable, affectionate, fabulous hot water bottles..... and stubborn, clever, and very determined to do what they want to do
I have one whippet x greyhound along with 3 pure greyhounds and the difference is really noticeable, Amy is very very sharp and very very intelligent -she is also fabulously well behaved, her recall is always 100%, and she is an absolute dog in a million But she isn't nearly as laid back as the pure greyhounds and you can often see her working things out I will definitely have another whippet when I get older and infirmer....but for the meantime there are so many deserving gorgeous greyhounds who need homes that my soft heart will always win the day.....
They are clean, easy, adaptable, affectionate, fabulous hot water bottles..... and stubborn, clever, and very determined to do what they want to do I have one whippet x greyhound along with 3 pure greyhounds and the difference is really noticeable, Amy is very very sharp and very very intelligent -she is also fabulously well behaved, her recall is always 100%, and she is an absolute dog in a million
But she isn't nearly as laid back as the pure greyhounds and you can often see her working things out I will definitely have another whippet when I get older and infirmer....but for the meantime there are so many deserving gorgeous greyhounds who need homes that my soft heart will always win the day.....Annette4
Well-Known Member
Fizz once pushed our bin across the kitchen to use it as a step to get onto the oven to steal a ham joint! By the time I got downstairs after hearing a racket and rushing down she'd eating half the damn thing!!! Even now (she is only 2 1/2) she will counter surf if things aren't pushed to the back.
Bosworth
Well-Known Member
i have a rescue whippet, Nonny. She was taken from a puppy farm at 7 months and I was her first foster home. She arrived thin and scared having never been out of her 6ft x 4 ft windowless shed. I collected her in a car park at 11.30 at night. She came home with me and met my bedlington dog Flodden. The following morning I took her with me to the farm where I keep my horse. Nonny had never been on a lead, but she tried her hardest to understand what it was. She cowered if you went to stroke her, she panicked through door ways, her tail was tucked between her legs. She was tied up while I mucked out and just stood and watched and then I took her for a walk. All our fields are ring fenced and no way out, and she was happy to follow Flodden. I let her off the lead and she lay down, had never seen grass, she didnt know how to play, and Flodden tried to make her, she just stayed with me and put her nose in my hands. We were out for about 30 mins and she never left my side. That evening I made the decision to keep her, I just could not hand her over so she joined me permanently. And she was totally and utterly my dog. Her recall from day 1 is 100% in all situations. She is now outgoing and sociable. Is happy to play with any dog she meets, or walk away if its not friendly. Shes brilliant off lead and so affectionate. Shes incredibly bright and such a happy soul. She take a while with people but she knows who she likes and who she doesnt want to bother with. She and Flodden are the best of friends, she can be 100 mph or 0mph. Shes happy to sleep on a sofa all day or walk for as long as you want. I fostered several whippets before I got Nonny and i have to say my over all experience was of the most loyal, loving affectionate loons you could ever want to meet.
Nonny is unusual as she is definitely not a princess, she loves getting filthy and rolls in just about any sort of stinky poo, she doesnt care if its raining, and loves snow, and she doesnt like outfits preferring to be naked in all weathers
Nonny is unusual as she is definitely not a princess, she loves getting filthy and rolls in just about any sort of stinky poo, she doesnt care if its raining, and loves snow, and she doesnt like outfits preferring to be naked in all weathers
Patchworkpony
Well-Known Member
Thank you so much for sharing that story - it was so touching. I'm glad she has such a lovely life now.i have a rescue whippet, Nonny. She was taken from a puppy farm at 7 months and I was her first foster home. She arrived thin and scared having never been out of her 6ft x 4 ft windowless shed. I collected her in a car park at 11.30 at night. She came home with me and met my bedlington dog Flodden. The following morning I took her with me to the farm where I keep my horse. Nonny had never been on a lead, but she tried her hardest to understand what it was. She cowered if you went to stroke her, she panicked through door ways, her tail was tucked between her legs. She was tied up while I mucked out and just stood and watched and then I took her for a walk. All our fields are ring fenced and no way out, and she was happy to follow Flodden. I let her off the lead and she lay down, had never seen grass, she didnt know how to play, and Flodden tried to make her, she just stayed with me and put her nose in my hands. We were out for about 30 mins and she never left my side. That evening I made the decision to keep her, I just could not hand her over so she joined me permanently. And she was totally and utterly my dog. Her recall from day 1 is 100% in all situations. She is now outgoing and sociable. Is happy to play with any dog she meets, or walk away if its not friendly. Shes brilliant off lead and so affectionate. Shes incredibly bright and such a happy soul. She take a while with people but she knows who she likes and who she doesnt want to bother with. She and Flodden are the best of friends, she can be 100 mph or 0mph. Shes happy to sleep on a sofa all day or walk for as long as you want. I fostered several whippets before I got Nonny and i have to say my over all experience was of the most loyal, loving affectionate loons you could ever want to meet.
Nonny is unusual as she is definitely not a princess, she loves getting filthy and rolls in just about any sort of stinky poo, she doesnt care if its raining, and loves snow, and she doesnt like outfits preferring to be naked in all weathers
twiggy2
Well-Known Member
My rescue lurcher has a lot of whippet in her and she is fun loving in the fast lane. She does require aminimum of an hour a day free running or she spends the evening sat in front of me staring me in the face and if I smile, laugh or move at all she will land in my lap, she loves everyone and everyone loves her. She hates the rain and the cold.
She can be quiet and calm but due to her past that can change at the flick of a switch to mad and crazy but never ever nasty.
She plays full on and rough in play with other dogs (and people) she uses her feet so she is often sworn at by others, she is very sweet with tiny dogs and young puppies though. If small dogs shoot out and swear at her she loves it and goes into spinning mode.
A kinder soul wrapped in a fur of craziness I have never met but she is lovely.
She can be quiet and calm but due to her past that can change at the flick of a switch to mad and crazy but never ever nasty.
She plays full on and rough in play with other dogs (and people) she uses her feet so she is often sworn at by others, she is very sweet with tiny dogs and young puppies though. If small dogs shoot out and swear at her she loves it and goes into spinning mode.
A kinder soul wrapped in a fur of craziness I have never met but she is lovely.
leflynn
Well-Known Member
Lévrier;13364889 said:I adore whippets, they were my first proper dog when I was 17 years old and could get something other than my mother's CKCS
I have one whippet x greyhound along with 3 pure greyhounds and the difference is really noticeable, Amy is very very sharp and very very intelligent -she is also fabulously well behaved, her recall is always 100%, and she is an absolute dog in a million
Exactly this! There are a couple whippets that live close to me and they are adorable if a bit more energetic than my greyhound (he loves both of them too). Sighthounds are fab dogs whichever you choose
Leo Walker
Well-Known Member
I thought I was going mental for a bit there! I literally dont know anyone with a whippet or high % whippety lurcher who hasnt experienced them being thieving little gits :lol:
Mines 5yr old now and genuinely hasnt really stolen anything for a couple of years. There has been the odd opportunist "lifting" of things that arent his but were stupidly left in his way, but no actual proper, thought out thefts for quite sometime. He does still regularly check the bins in case there is anything we have thrown out that should have been given to him :lol: But the days of proper criminal activity are over.
Leo Walker
Well-Known Member
Nonny is unusual as she is definitely not a princess, she loves getting filthy and rolls in just about any sort of stinky poo, she doesnt care if its raining, and loves snow, and she doesnt like outfits preferring to be naked in all weathers
You misunderstood my definition of princess :lol: Dylan loves filth, well so long as its his choice to roll in it :lol: Fox poo is his absolute favourite but he doesn't rule anything filthy and stinking out! He once found a decomposing carcass and have a lovely few minutes grinding it into his skin. I'll be perfectly honest, when I realised he was covered in rotting flesh and maggots and that we had driven 15 miles to take him for a walk, I damn near left him there! Scraping that off with serviettes that we had shoved in the glove box is something that will never leave me :lol: Oh and the drive home wasnt great either :lol:
Bosworth
Well-Known Member
oh Frankiecob they are a nightmare Nonny's all time favourite is badger poo. And the speed with which she dives into it is amazing, completely covers herself from top to bottom, and the number of times I have had to leave my car behind and take the long walk home because she stinks is in double figures
Nonny's all time favourite is badger poo. And the speed with which she dives into it is amazing, completely covers herself from top to bottom, and the number of times I have had to leave my car behind and take the long walk home because she stinks is in double figures
Leo Walker
Well-Known Member
oh Frankiecob they are a nightmare
I feel your pain :lol: He can be flat out galloping and then hes rolling in poo in the blink of an eye! We have baby wipes in both cars now and at home we have an arsenal of tomato sauce, specific fox poo shampoo and menthol wash. If I tried to rub poo on him he would go mental :lol:
We are getting another puppy in a few weeks and my OH was desperate for another breed of dog, ANY breed so long as it doesnt roll in poo :lol:
Patchworkpony
Well-Known Member
Wow - and here's me thinking they are gentle, fastidious little dogs!
Leo Walker
Well-Known Member
oh but they are! Mine is the most loving, gentle creature, hates rain, doesnt even like it when the pavement is wet and wouldnt dream of going in a muddy puddle, but poo is something else, something to be found and savoured :lol:
Holding
Well-Known Member
This sounds exactly like one of mine. I have three whippets and the middle one is an utter princess - will stand on one side of a puddle yapping to be carried over it, but yesterday I had to hose her off after our walk because she was absolutely covered from head to toe in fox poo. Even the other dogs were avoiding her.
Having said that, wouldn't hesitate to recommend a whippet - all three of ours are lovely, easygoing dogs. And - fox poo aside - they don't smell or shed, and are generally very low maintenance. Two of the three have a reliable recall and go off lead. And three of three get into bed and cuddle in the mornings - no better feeling than waking up falling off the side of the bed because there are three whippets asleep under the covers. 😊
Patchworkpony
Well-Known Member
They do sound lovely. Did you buy yours as pups or did you go down the rescue root. I've thought of rescue but you seem to have so many hoops to jump through and also some of the ones I've seen out with their new owners can be VERY timid and withdrawn even after years in a new home.
Holding
Well-Known Member
Bought the two oldest as puppies (one show bred and one working bred and I would now always recommend the latter) and bred the youngest one. When we bought the first one we had just taken on a rescue greyhound who unfortunately had to go back as she kept biting my little sister (then aged about 8) and the third time it happened went for her face and drew blood. It was heartbreaking all round so we decided we would go for a puppy rather than an older dog and as greyhound puppies were hard to find we got a whippet. He is a dear but has had several health issues - the one that came after him is from working lines and much more robust without being particularly higher maintenance. I see very nervous ones out and about but all of ours are very bold - especially the little homebred one who is an utter menace!
Leo Walker
Well-Known Member
Mine are both rescues. My bitch from death row at the pound, and the dog I picked up on Christmas Eve as he had to be gone, he was about 13 weeks old and I was his 4th owner. Both confident, gregarious dogs but not without their issues. Neither is the show type whippet though, Dylan is working bred, mother was a pure bred racer and daddy was a worker, Flossie is whippet cross probably saluki/collie.
My next one is already reserved and just 2 days old I wanted a very specific sort of dog, large whippet sized, high percentage whippet but with a non sight hound added into the mix, but not collie, working parents that also lived in as part of a family, etc, etc.
Its been really good to have a specific list and to get exactly what I wanted. The one after this will be a rescue though. But I just really want a clean slate to bring up how I want
Edited to add Bold is exactly how I would describe my dog
My next one is already reserved and just 2 days old
I wanted a very specific sort of dog, large whippet sized, high percentage whippet but with a non sight hound added into the mix, but not collie, working parents that also lived in as part of a family, etc, etc. Its been really good to have a specific list and to get exactly what I wanted. The one after this will be a rescue though. But I just really want a clean slate to bring up how I want
Edited to add Bold is exactly how I would describe my dog
Patchworkpony
Well-Known Member
Thanks so much for all that info. I do think they are lovely dogs but have seen so many nervous ones. How do you find working strains?
Patchworkpony
Well-Known Member
Very interesting - what other non sight hound breed would you recommend in the mix? What is your mix?Mine are both rescues. My bitch from death row at the pound, and the dog I picked up on Christmas Eve as he had to be gone, he was about 13 weeks old and I was his 4th owner. Both confident, gregarious dogs but not without their issues. Neither is the show type whippet though, Dylan is working bred, mother was a pure bred racer and daddy was a worker, Flossie is whippet cross probably saluki/collie.
My next one is already reserved and just 2 days old
Its been really good to have a specific list and to get exactly what I wanted. The one after this will be a rescue though. But I just really want a clean slate to bring up how I want
Edited to add Bold is exactly how I would describe my dog
Leo Walker
Well-Known Member
Mine has GSD. Lots have bull breeds in them, but I dont want power and strength, I want common sense and trainabilty, so not for me. Collie is very common and the only thing that puts me off is that sometimes not enough care is taken to pick the right collie and nervy ones can be used which can be passed on.
However if you have two good working parents that are out doing the job then the chances that the pup will inherit the things needed to work regardless of the exact cross, which also translates roughly into the things I want in a dog. And working bred whippets/lurchers dont tend to be anywhere near as full on as other breeds like collies and springers etc
However if you have two good working parents that are out doing the job then the chances that the pup will inherit the things needed to work regardless of the exact cross, which also translates roughly into the things I want in a dog. And working bred whippets/lurchers dont tend to be anywhere near as full on as other breeds like collies and springers etc