Whippet

The Whippet (right, Int Ch Catchacre Tiger Lily of Barnesmore) is the smallest of hounds originally used for hare coursing; standing at no more than 20" and quite light, at 12.5-14kg, th Whippet is a lean, neat, athletic and immensely elegant dog.  He was developed during the 19thC by numerous crosses between Greyhounds, selected for their speed, and terriers  for size and tenacity.   Also  known as "the working man's racehorse" he has been raced particularly in the North East of England, where a great affection developed for the breed.

Whippet races were often held in the narrow alleyways that ran behind the terraces of houses and so the Whippet developed into a 'straight racer', unlike the Greyhound who follows a curving track.  Some could cover 200m in as little as 12 seconds.  Created by sportsmen for speed on the track or in the field, he is a dog totally free from exaggeration and bred solely for function.

The Whippet coat is very fine and smooth and can be of any colour, but he does feel the cold and should be warmly bedded and have a coat during the winter.  He is a very gentle, affectionate and even-tempered and  makes an excellent housedog.  He loves the company of his family and is totally adaptable to their lifestyle.  As a hound, he is of course quite sensitive and does not handle rough play particularly well.

He is much less keen to escape from his garden than most hounds, but the working type especially can channel their energy into very high jumps and view a weldmesh fence as the next best thing to a ladder.

The Whippet is a lovely dog, extremely neat and clean he makes a charming pet who will whilst he loves to run will not be forever demanding exercise.

To read the Kennel Club Breed Standard for the Whippet click here.

Whippet Breed Clubs

• EAST ANGLIAN WHIPPET CLUB    Mrs J Strunin    01754 830585 
• MIDLAND WHIPPET CLUB    Mrs Defaye     0247 671 2552 
• NATIONAL WHIPPET ASSOC     Mrs M Blanks    01268 288091
• NORTHERN COUNTIES WHIPPET CLUB      Mrs S McEvoy     01524 60360 
• NORTHERN IRELAND WHIPPET CLUB     Ms J Duke    01762 849874 
• SOUTH WEST WHIPPET CLUB    Ms A P Vickerstaff      01209 821979 
• SOUTH YORKSHIRE WHIPPET CLUB     Mr Mason     01909 515864
• WHIPPET CLUB OF SCOTLAND     Mrs A Skelley     01505 842123
• WHIPPET CLUB OF WALES      Mr A Rees     01656 737598 
• WHIPPET CLUB        Mr D F Mayger      01494 523372 

Whippet Rescue and Re homing

Contact a Breed Club.  They should all be able to give you information about hounds requiring homes and procedures for re-homing; if you are in the unfortunate position of having to re-home your own Whippet, please go through breed rescue.  They will not be judgmental and are best able to find the right permanent home for him.