What to do with a whippet

[nikkiportia]

He is about 9 months old, KC reg, and seems quite well bred. I don't know much about dog pedigrees, but there seems to be a lot of CH on both sides

So my question is, what do I do with him? I used to lamp with my lurchers, but I'd like to try something a bit different. Perhaps showing or racing? Where do I start? What is involved?
He is well put together, and I think his brother is already showing and doing well. But I wouldn't know where to start!? I did a few local lurcher shows before, but nothing serious at all.
Equally, he seems well built for running, he is pretty quick and has a great turn of foot. Suitable for rabbiting I suppose

Any info gratefully received, thanks in advance

 

[bonny]

does whippet racing still take place anywhere ? i remember going when i was a child when we used to go on holiday in cornwall ?

 

[nikkiportia]

I think there is a local group.

 

[CAYLA]

If your gonna attempt lamping...get insured...although fast they are not ideal lamping machines...their bones and skin break and rip like paper

My OH took 2 of my whippets out...and broke them both...one snapped her leg clean in half.....£2000 later and never doing that again

thats why they breed the bigger deerhound types in...they are alot hardier when running head on into a fence or stumbling on uneven ground....u will be wellaware though if u already go lamping

Racing...I imagine good fun...but again liable to injury....maybe showing...then u can keep him as an undamaged pet...lol

Is it the one u posted piccies of?

 

[bonny]

you don't fancy having a go at that ?

 

[prose]

What about lure coursing? It's huge over here, but I'm not sure how popular it is in England, being that hare coursing was around for such a long time.

Actually, here's a UK site on it..

 

[CAYLA]

Of course the best thing to do with a whippet....is use it as a hot water bottle

 

[whippet]

Ours are used mainly for kissing and squeezing

If you want to use yours for something more interesting, there are lots of racing / coursing / showing people here: www.k9community.co.uk
I expect someone there can point you in the right direction

 

[nikkiportia]

I did quite fancy the idea of lure coursing and racing, but as has just been pointed out, I could do without the vet bills when it goes wrong. He is a very stoopid dog, and suspect he'd hurt himself pretty quickly!
Think I may try a bit of showing.... see next post for pic

 

[echodomino]

What about agility?

 

[nikkiportia]

oooooo, thats a good idea! Never thought of that! Know much about it anyone?

 

[haycroft]

ive just joined and i have two whippets which i lure course and a little racing..my older whippet unfortually damaged her spinal cord while at a coursing so shes retird now, but these dogs love it,Whippet are built to run and they are alot more robust than people think they are

good luck what ever you decide to with your whippet

my whippet at the bsfa at newbury