Basic Information:

• Life expectancy: 12 - 15 years
• Height: Female: 45-53 cm, Male: 48- 56 cm
• Colors: Black, Brindle, White, Fawn, Blue, Red
• Temperament: Affectionate, Lively, Intelligent, Friendly, Quiet, Gentle

Overview:

• The Whippet was created in the late 18th century by crossing small Greyhounds with various terriers to create a breed that could course rabbits and kill small vermin. When they weren't betting on whose Whippet could kill the most rats, workingmen, such as miners, often raced their dogs, giving rise to the nickname poor mans racehorse.� Today, the Whippet is still a fast and effective hunter, but at home, he's a calm and quiet companion who loves nothing more than snuggling on the sofa.

• At first glance, the Whippet seems like the perfect dog he's friendly to guests and strangers doesn't mind snoozing the day away, has a manageable size, and doesn't bark excessively. In other words, he may alert you that someone is at the door, but he's far from being a true guard dog. Whippets prefer to be part of a pack, rather than an only dog, so they become very attached to their families and like being around kids and other dogs. Whippets are generally easy to housetrain, although they're often not amused by the idea of going outside in the rain or snow.

Personality:

• The perfect Whippet doesn't come ready-made from a breeder. Any dog can develop obnoxious levels of barking, digging, and other undesirable behaviors if he's bored or unsupervised. A young Whippet will test you to see what he can get away with, so start training your puppy early. If possible, get him into puppy kindergarten class by the time he is 10 to 12 weeks old, and socialize, socialize, socialize. However, be aware that many puppy training classes require certain vaccines (like kennel cough) to be up to date, and many veterinarians recommend limited exposure to other dogs and public places until puppy vaccines (including rabies, distemper, and parvovirus) have been completed. In lieu of formal training, you can begin training your puppy at home and socializing him among family and friends until puppy vaccines are completed.

• The Whippet is a rare breed: They are beautiful to look at and really calm house pets. With an average weight of 20 pounds, they're also a nice size, not too big and not too small. Some are sensitive, and some are outgoing, but most of them are sweet and affectionate, giving you a gentle nudge with their nose to get your attention.

• These dogs are also very clean and easy to housetrain unless it's rainy or cold outside. If you live in a region with inclement weather, walk your Whippet on a strict schedule, so he potties in the appropriate place outdoors.

Health:

• Careful breeders screen their dogs for genetic disease and only breed the best-looking specimens, but sometimes Mother Nature has other ideas and a puppy can develop one of these diseases. In most cases, he can still live a good life, thanks to advances in veterinary medicine. But be aware that Whippets can be sensitive to anesthesia because of their low-fat ratio, so make sure that your veterinarian is familiar with this quirk of the breed. And remember that you have the power to protect your Whippet from one of the most common health problems: obesity. Keeping him at an appropriate weight is a simple way to extend your Whippet's life.

Grooming:

• Whippets are one of the easiest breeds to groom: Give them a once over with a rubber hound mitt and they're good to go; baths are rarely necessary. And although they don't shed as heavily as other breeds, you'll still want to keep a lint roller on hand. The rest is basic care: Trim your Whippet snails as needed, usually every week or two, and brush his teeth regularly with a vet-approved pet toothpaste for good overall health and fresh breath.