Whippet

The Whippet is a medium-sized sighthound developed in England, and it combines two qualities that rarely sit together in one dog. On a coursing field or a lure track it ranks among the fastest breeds alive for its size, reaching speeds of around 35 miles per hour over short distances. Back home it turns into one of the most easygoing dogs you could ask for, content to spend most of the day asleep on the sofa.

The build is smooth and aerodynamic: a deep chest, a tucked waist, long legs and a fine coat that lies close to the skin. Adults typically stand 18 to 22 inches at the shoulder and weigh roughly 25 to 40 pounds. The frame carries very little excess weight, which is normal condition for the breed rather than a sign of underfeeding.

Whippets bond closely with their people and tend to be sensitive to harsh handling. They are gentle with children and generally get along well with other dogs. Because the chase instinct runs deep, small, fast-moving animals can set a Whippet off in pursuit, so a securely fenced garden and a lead when walking in open spaces both matter.

Who the breed suits

The Whippet suits owners who want an affectionate, low-fuss companion that is calm indoors but needs regular hard running outdoors. It settles equally well into a house with a garden or a flat in town, provided it gets its daily exercise and a warm, soft place to sleep. The thin coat and low body fat mean the breed feels the cold quickly, so a coat for winter is often needed. A home with small caged pets running loose, or with no safe enclosed space to sprint, is a poorer match.

The Whippet took its modern shape in the north of England during the nineteenth century. It descends from Greyhounds bred down in size, with input from smaller terrier-type dogs and other fast breeds. The aim was a sighthound that could hunt rabbit and compete in races but cost far less to keep than a full-sized Greyhound.

The breed became closely tied to working-class communities in the mining and mill districts of northern England. Owners raced their dogs over straight tracks for prize money, a pastime that earned the Whippet its old nickname, the poor man's racehorse. Rag racing, in which dogs sprinted toward a cloth waved by their owner, was a regular weekend event.

Formal recognition followed the growth of organised dog showing. The Kennel Club in England recognised the Whippet in 1891, and the American Kennel Club recognised the breed in 1888. Standardisation gradually fixed the size, outline and temperament that define the breed today. In South Africa, Whippets are registered in the sighthound group under the Kennel Union of Southern Africa (KUSA), the country's governing body for pedigree dogs.

Through the twentieth century the Whippet moved well beyond its industrial roots to become a popular show dog, companion and competitor in lure coursing and amateur racing. Its speed, clean lines and easy household manners have kept demand for the breed steady across Europe and North America.

The Whippet looks like a scaled-down Greyhound, built for speed and balance. The outline runs in one smooth curve after another: a long head, an arched neck flowing into the back, a deep chest reaching to the elbow, a defined waist and a strongly arched loin. The legs are long and lean, the feet neat and well cushioned. At rest the dog often curls into a tight ball.

The coat is short, fine and close lying, offering little insulation. Skin shows easily over the ribs and hips, which is correct for the breed.

Coat and colours

The Whippet standard sets no limit on colour, so the breed turns up in a wide range of solids and combinations. Common shades include fawn, cream, blue grey, black, red and brindle, often broken up with white markings on the chest, feet or face. The short coat needs very little grooming but gives almost no protection against cold or rough ground, so many owners fit a coat in winter and check the thin skin for scrapes after energetic play.

The Whippet has a quiet, gentle character. Indoors it is calm and undemanding, often described as a couch dog that sleeps away much of the day. It forms strong attachments to its household and prefers to stay near its people, sometimes leaning or curling up against them on the sofa. The breed is sensitive by nature and responds poorly to shouting or rough correction.

With family members, including children, Whippets are patient and affectionate, though very young children should be supervised, since the dog is slim and can be hurt if handled roughly. With strangers most are reserved at first rather than wary, and warm up quickly once properly introduced. They are not natural guard dogs and rarely bark much.

With other dogs the breed is generally sociable and settles well into multi-dog homes. The main caution is the sighthound's chase drive. Sudden movement from a cat, rabbit, squirrel or small pet can trigger an instant, high-speed pursuit, so a dependable recall, a securely fenced garden and a lead in open spaces are all important.

Day to day care of a Whippet is straightforward. The coat asks for little effort, but the breed's thin build and chase drive shape its real needs: regular bursts of fast running, protection from the cold, and a warm, padded place to rest.

Grooming

• Brush weekly with a soft brush or grooming mitt to lift out loose hair
• Bath only when needed, since the coat carries little odour
• Trim nails every two to three weeks, since overlong nails affect the gait
• Check teeth and brush several times a week
• Inspect the thin skin for cuts or scrapes after boisterous play

Exercise

• Give one to two walks a day, plus a chance to sprint at full speed
• Use a securely fenced area or a long line for exercise off the lead
• Favour short, intense bursts over long, slow distance work
• Try lure coursing or a flirt pole to work the chase instinct
• Avoid strenuous exercise in extreme heat or on icy ground

Living environment

Whippets suit houses and flats about equally well, since they are quiet and settled indoors. They feel the cold quickly and seek out warm spots, so a soft bed away from draughts and a coat for winter both help. A secure garden, or reliable access to a safe place to run, matters far more than the size of the home. South Africa's climate ranges from Mediterranean conditions around the Cape to the drier, colder Highveld, so owners inland should take particular care to keep a Whippet warm overnight.

The Whippet does well on a complete, balanced dog food suited to its life stage and activity level. The breed is naturally lean, so visible ribs and a clear waist are normal and not a reason to add more food. A dog actively racing or coursing may need extra energy in its diet, while a couch-bound pet needs less. Split the daily amount into two meals and adjust it by body condition rather than by the bowl.

Treats and supplements

Keep treats to around 10 percent of daily calories so the dog stays lean. Most Whippets on a complete diet need no added supplements. Keep fresh water available at all times, especially around hard exercise. Because deep-chested breeds can be prone to bloat, avoid a heavy meal immediately before or after intense exercise and let the dog settle around active periods.

The Whippet is one of the healthier pedigree breeds and typically lives 12 to 15 years. It carries fewer inherited problems than many similarly sized dogs, but a handful of concerns are worth knowing about. The lean build and short coat also mean the breed copes poorly with cold and bruises or cuts more easily than a heavier dog.

Preventive care

• Keep vaccinations and parasite prevention current
• Book an annual vet exam, including heart and eye checks
• Maintain dental hygiene with regular brushing
• Keep the dog lean to protect the joints and heart
• Tell any vet treating the dog about the breed's sensitivity to anaesthesia before a procedure

Whippets are intelligent and eager to please, but they are also sensitive and can lose interest during repetitive drills. They learn quickly when sessions stay short, positive and varied. Harsh correction damages the bond and tends to shut the dog down rather than improve its behaviour. Recall is the hardest thing to train, because the chase instinct can override learned commands once the dog is at full sprint. For this reason many owners keep a Whippet on the lead in unfenced areas, however good the recall looks at home.

The basics

1. Start socialisation early, with people, dogs and everyday sights and sounds
2. Teach name response and a reliable sit before moving on
3. Build recall in a fenced area first, rewarding every return generously
4. Add a solid stay and leave it to help manage the chase drive
5. Practise calm lead walking, since the breed pulls hard toward movement
6. Keep each session short and end on a success

Whippets reach sexual maturity in roughly the same range as other medium-sized dogs, with females typically having their first season between six and twelve months old. Responsible breeders wait until a dog is physically and mentally mature, usually around two years old, and have both parents screened for heart and eye conditions before mating. Pregnancy lasts about 63 days from conception, and litters average four to eight puppies, though smaller and larger litters both occur.

Puppies are born helpless, with their eyes closed, and depend entirely on the dam for the first weeks of life. Weaning begins at around three to four weeks, and the structured socialisation that follows in this early period shapes the calm, confident adult temperament the breed is known for. Because Whippets are lean and fine boned, whelping and puppy rearing should take place in a warm space free of draughts. Breeding decisions are best left to experienced breeders who can provide veterinary support and take responsibility for placing puppies for life; prospective breeders in South Africa should work within the requirements set by KUSA.

Whippet registration and microchips in South Africa

When a Whippet lands at an SPCA branch, the scanner comes out first, and everything then rides on what the number returns. Make sure it returns you. Register your dog free with United Pet Club and the profile answers every scan with your name and number, from now until the end of his days.

The chip is a number; the registry entry is the story behind it. Capture your Whippet's 15-digit number in a free United Pet Club account and the story reads: this dog has a home. Every brand is accepted, updates never cost a cent, and the record stays searchable here and abroad. Microchip registration plus a free account does it.