Whippets

[I'm Dun]

I was thinking about this this morning, mine have more personality than any other animal Ive ever met, they communicate wit me so clearly they might as well speak. And the oldest has some ridiculous quirks. Hr faints when he has his vaccination. Its a pretend faint but he literally drops dead before the needle touches him. Vets never believe me and more than one has screamed and called for help. Yet the ludicrous creature is fine if he's held round his tummy and doesn't even blink when he's jabbed. I tend to refer to him as princess drama queen

I love this aadies videos, she nails it in a really humorous way

 

[Annette4]

Now I've had less beer and some sleep

I have one who is more sensitive, not keen on toddlers but loves older kids. She's gentle, seemingly allergic to water and mud, loves her pyjamas and blankets and has been easy to train. Her recall is 90% proofed but I'll never totally trust her. She will recall before she's in full chase but once she's chasing she won't. She has caught 8 birds in the garden She's a therapy dog and done sports etc.

The other (although he does have a splash of saluki) has been a nightmare. He has no recall in open spaces, is incredibly talented but would rather do zoomies or play keep away than work with you. He's had more training than any of the others and is so intelligent but just makes an active choice to ignore me frequently. In the house he is the softest, most tolerant and cuddly boy. He's sweet and gentle with kids but will rough house with hubby.

I love them both dearly and we'll never be without a hound

 

[splashgirl45]

Mine is 3/4 whippet the other 1/4 is collie/bedlington. He is a delight and his only fault ( which isn’t terrible) is he doesn’t like me going out without him. He has the 2 terriers who try and sleep but he wanders around and grizzles in between the times he stays on his bed… I have a camera and keep an eye on him , I don’t go out often only shopping , doctors etc and visiting a friend occasionally . He has managed to catch a couple of pigeons but nothing else so far. His recall is very good and he is fine with other dogs but he would chase a cat . He is great with people , very friendly and gentle

 

[TGM]

they communicate wit me so clearly they might as well speak.

Mine is like this too. I've had lots of dogs of various different breeds and types over the years, but my whippet is so attuned to me and communicates with me so well. If she wants to lay on the sofa under a blanket she will nudge me and then walk to the sofa and gaze at it longingly waiting for me to come and tuck her in! If I forget her daily dental stick she will make little squeaking noises whilst staring up at the top of the fridge where they are kept. If she wants a walk she will start by staring at me, then if ignored will ramp it up bit by bit, starting with the downwards dog pose, then nudging me, trotting up and down and then eventually, if I haven't given in by then, she will bark. Likewise, if she is doing something she isn't meant to (taking a log out of the log basket is a favourite trick) then I just have to look at her and clear my throat for her to stop.

My list of pros and cons based on my own whippet (who is show bred if that makes a difference) is:

PROS
So clean - goes out of her way to avoid mud and puddles and any mud that can't be avoided usually slips off her short, shiny coat before she gets home. Plus she grooms herself regularly. S
Unsmelly - mainly because of the above (being a bitch she doesn't wee on her paws)
Low maintenance in terms of exercise - a quick spin round the block is fine if that is all I have time for but will happily go for much longer
Very snuggly
Great with other people and other dogs - you can take her anywhere. Interestingly, even people who normally don't like dogs like her.
Her recall is pretty good, no worse than any other breeds we have had.
Quiet - doesn't bark much at all (unless she is desperate for a walk!)
Calm demeanour in the house and sleeps a lot

CONS
Useless guard dog
Eats poo (her own, other dogs, sheep, horse, anything goes) although she is better than she used to be
Probably wouldn't be a great yard dog unless wearing a thick coat and with access to a heated tack room - they don't like cold and wet!
Other people's perception of them - they don't constantly wag their tails like most other breeds, so people think they are miserable, plus you do get the comments about them being thin from ignorant passers by (and mine is actually well covered for a whippet)
Doesn't go mad like a spaniel when you get home, you are lucky if she even raises her head unless you have been out all day - this doesn't bother me but my husband and daughter take it personally!

 

[Jenko109]

They are just the most wonderful creatures.

My first whippet was the most amenable, perfect princess to ever walk this earth. Perfect with other dogs, very neutral by nature. Good recall, she would hack with the horses, quiet in the house, gentle with people. She was such a wonderful soul. I miss her dearly.

My current whippet is nearly three. He is a more independent thinker. He was poorly as a youngster and was on a high steroid dose for a number of months, so he can be a little spoilt and demanding when he wants something, but in general he is a lovely chap.

All I would say, is they crave warmth. They like to sleep in the bed, under the duvet of course if you never allow them in the bed then they won't expect to be allowed there, but you may need to shell out on warm cave beds or jammies.

 

[malwhit]

We had a Whippet cross when I was growing up and I have always wanted one since. It was nearly 40 years later that I got Lola.

She arrived just over a year ago, and in that time I have felt every emotion from loving her to wanting to throttle her She was a pain to house train and to recall, but once mastered she has only had the odd relapse.

If you asked me 6 months ago if I could recommend them or get another one myself, the reply would have been NO

Ask me now and it would be a YES I am even thinking of getting another depending on if/when I move amongst other things.

The only downside is her hatred of cats, and there are dozens living around me

 

[I'm Dun]

Mine are both boys and dont do the weeing on their legs thing, I don't know if its because mine come in XL and XXL sizes though. One will not go in water, and when I tried to swim in the sea had a full blown screaming hysterical melt down. The other one loves water, likes nothing more than a wallow in a dirty puddle. His usual pattern is gallop like a lunatic, then when he's finally tired he finds some water to wallow in, drinks a load then rolls about on the grass. His sister from the previous litter is the same, so there must be some sort of genetic link. His breeder did have them all playing in a paddling pool though as she knew he was going to be living on a boat. He wont ever swim though, he goes in to his neck and that's it. He nearly drowned twice before he was a year old, doing the same stupid antics that it never occurred to me that any dog would do, so I guess he hasn't forgotten that. His sister loves to swim though.

Both have only ever had 2 accidents in the house in their life, always my fault for not paying enough attention to them as tiny puppies and missing the cue. Easiest dogs in the world to house train. A previous one was incredibly hard and never fully reliable though.

I adore my little spotty firecracker, but for a first time whippet owner, go for failed working lines. He is very extreme and not all of his litter or the one before are like this, but he would be a nightmare for someone who just wanted a nice easy pet. My other boy, is a delight. The video is of them today. Shows the dramatic difference between them.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=533284879548310

 

[paisley]

Self harming speed demons who need at least three beds, a sofa, your bed and an entire wardrobe for all occasions. Capable of getting a pointy snout where it should never go, will probably get you a private parking space at the vets, and will be the best dog you ever have.

 

[neddy man]

Well Pwp a day has passed, have you purchased a Whippet yet?

 

[Patchworkpony]

Mine is like this too. I've had lots of dogs of various different breeds and types over the years, but my whippet is so attuned to me and communicates with me so well. If she wants to lay on the sofa under a blanket she will nudge me and then walk to the sofa and gaze at it longingly waiting for me to come and tuck her in! If I forget her daily dental stick she will make little squeaking noises whilst staring up at the top of the fridge where they are kept. If she wants a walk she will start by staring at me, then if ignored will ramp it up bit by bit, starting with the downwards dog pose, then nudging me, trotting up and down and then eventually, if I haven't given in by then, she will bark. Likewise, if she is doing something she isn't meant to (taking a log out of the log basket is a favourite trick) then I just have to look at her and clear my throat for her to stop.

My list of pros and cons based on my own whippet (who is show bred if that makes a difference) is:

PROS
So clean - goes out of her way to avoid mud and puddles and any mud that can't be avoided usually slips off her short, shiny coat before she gets home. Plus she grooms herself regularly. S
Unsmelly - mainly because of the above (being a bitch she doesn't wee on her paws)
Low maintenance in terms of exercise - a quick spin round the block is fine if that is all I have time for but will happily go for much longer
Very snuggly
Great with other people and other dogs - you can take her anywhere. Interestingly, even people who normally don't like dogs like her.
Her recall is pretty good, no worse than any other breeds we have had.
Quiet - doesn't bark much at all (unless she is desperate for a walk!)
Calm demeanour in the house and sleeps a lot

CONS
Useless guard dog
Eats poo (her own, other dogs, sheep, horse, anything goes) although she is better than she used to be
Probably wouldn't be a great yard dog unless wearing a thick coat and with access to a heated tack room - they don't like cold and wet!
Other people's perception of them - they don't constantly wag their tails like most other breeds, so people think they are miserable, plus you do get the comments about them being thin from ignorant passers by (and mine is actually well covered for a whippet)
Doesn't go mad like a spaniel when you get home, you are lucky if she even raises her head unless you have been out all day - this doesn't bother me but my husband and daughter take it personally!

Great reply very helpful thank you.

 

[Patchworkpony]

Well Pwp a day has passed, have you purchased a Whippet yet?

Er no - sorry.

 

[Patchworkpony]

They are just the most wonderful creatures.

My first whippet was the most amenable, perfect princess to ever walk this earth. Perfect with other dogs, very neutral by nature. Good recall, she would hack with the horses, quiet in the house, gentle with people. She was such a wonderful soul. I miss her dearly.

My current whippet is nearly three. He is a more independent thinker. He was poorly as a youngster and was on a high steroid dose for a number of months, so he can be a little spoilt and demanding when he wants something, but in general he is a lovely chap.

All I would say, is they crave warmth. They like to sleep in the bed, under the duvet of course if you never allow them in the bed then they won't expect to be allowed there, but you may need to shell out on warm cave beds or jammies.

View attachment 149511


View attachment 149512

Very beautiful dogs.

 

[neddy man]

Looking back at it my post sounds sarcastic, it wasn't meant to be. I'm presuming with your thread that you are considering acquiring a new family member. Given a few weeks we may hear you have a new family member, maybe a whippet maybe a totally different breed altogether. We look forward to hearing the decision you make.

 

[paisley]

Oh, and I’ll suggest owners of a pointy face might like to have a look at Vick Horsley Ceramics. She makes amazing little sculptures of curled up sight hounds, including an approximation of your dogs coat pattern and colour. Mine is fabulous

Vick Horsley Ceramics

Ceramics and art made in Norfolk by Vick Horsley, with an emphasis on Sighthounds. Gifts for lovers of Whippets, Greyhounds, Lurchers, Galgos and...

www.vickhorsley.co.uk

 

[I'm Dun]

Oh, and I’ll suggest owners of a pointy face might like to have a look at Vick Horsley Ceramics. She makes amazing little sculptures of curled up sight hounds, including an approximation of your dogs coat pattern and colour. Mine is fabulous

Vick Horsley Ceramics

Ceramics and art made in Norfolk by Vick Horsley, with an emphasis on Sighthounds. Gifts for lovers of Whippets, Greyhounds, Lurchers, Galgos and...

www.vickhorsley.co.uk

omg you have one I must get my name on the waiting list, I keep meaning to do it. Can we see a photo of yours

 

[I'm Dun]

I am very broody for a puppy at the minute but cant have one, so I will live vicariously through you guys

 

[paisley]

omg you have one I must get my name on the waiting list, I keep meaning to do it. Can we see a photo of yours

It took a bit of faff- you have to pay a monthly fee, then wait till the new lists come out and reserve one asap. But she really cares about the finished product and that you’re happy with it so worth it. I made the little bed for mine

 

[splashgirl45]

It took a bit of faff- you have to pay a monthly fee, then wait till the new lists come out and reserve one asap. But she really cares about the finished product and that you’re happy with it so worth it. I made the little bed for mine

Well you can’t expect a whippet to sleep on the floor can you

 

[Janique]

I don't know View attachment 149719 about Whippet or Greyhound but i saw this and thought of you all !

 

[Janique]

I dont know anything about Whippet or Greyhound but i saw this and thought of you all !

 

[SOS]

We have two whippets and a whippet X. All super easy dogs, two go to work on yards most days. Prefer coats on in the winter but get along easy with other dogs, don’t stray, good with people.

Never worry about them with kids etc (although would never leave any dogs alone with a young child). Love curling up on the sofa, mooching around the pub and easy going in many ways.

Ours live with a cat and see many on yards. If they were running and saw a rabbit they may try chase but whippets are a lot slower than large lurchers.

However ours wouldn’t love very long muddy walks in the winter, they get a bit miserable if they get cold and damp. Some of our friends go hiking all day in the winter with their dogs, ours wouldn’t be keen.

They are thin skinned and unfortunately have long legs which can break easily particularly with their love of running. However as a breed they have very few coming health conditions.

Our full whippets are good showing lines, very confident dogs but they have had good upbringings. Show vs racing lines have slightly different looks. Show are straighter backed, racing a little more hunched and dropped away. Racing generally slighter.

 

[nellietinker]

My Whippet is 14.5years old (pic below) and as a youngster was a brilliant ratter - today despite his sight not being great and having a few less teeth he still managed to catch and kill a rat as big as his head - much to the younger cats annoyance.
They are a lovely breed. Snip is my second Whippet is show x working lines - Jack the first was 17 when he died and was as hard as nails - never a days illness. I think, judging by his scarring, he had been a working dog before I got him. He was a great house dog but very much a one person dog. Snip has so many health issues (pancreatic issues, two heart problems, tooth issues) both the vet and I are surprised he has got to this age. He has probably built a wing of the vets practice with the amount he has cost me.
Would I have another? No, sadly not. Would I recommend them - yes.

 

[SandraD1*]

I've got loads of them!