The Whippet, also known as the Lightening Rag Dog, the Snap Dog, the Poor Man’s Racehorse and the Poor Man’s Greyhound, is a medium-sized sighthound that resembles a smaller version of the Greyhound. Its name is thought to derive from the word “whappet,” which refers to “a small dog that yaps [wapps].” The term “Whippet” was used during the 1600s to describe a “little cur.” The modern Whippet was developed in the 19th century as a rabbit-coursing dog. It was bred for speed and has been used for sport racing for years, capable of reaching bursts of speed up to 35 miles per hour. The Whippet is the fastest domesticated animal for its size and at short distances can outrun a Greyhound. It also is a competent rat- and rabbit-hunter and makes a quiet, affectionate companion dog. As a sighthound, Whippets uniformly chase moving objects and seem impervious to any danger that the chase might entail – such as automobiles or other types of traffic. They require daily exercise in a secure environment or may become bored and destructive. The Whippet was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1888, as a member of its Hound Group.
The mature male Whippet ideally stands 19 to 22 inches at the withers, with bitches being 18 to 21 inches in height. Adults typically weigh about 25 to 30 pounds. The Whippet’s short coat can be any color, without preference given to any one over another under the American breed standard. This is a naturally fastidious dog that requires little grooming and is easy to care for and live with.
Small, Greyhound-like dogs resembling Whippets have been portrayed in paintings, carvings and other artwork for centuries. There are several different theories about the Whippet’s ancestry. Some historians believe that the Whippet resulted from breeding runt Greyhounds repeatedly down in size, while others think that Whippets came from crossing Greyhounds with smaller Spaniels. Another theory is that the Whippet descends from crosses between Italian Greyhounds and various terrier breeds, particularly the Manchester Terrier.The Whippet developed in
Whippets are lean, muscular speed machines who have an almost split personality. At home, adult Whippets are quiet and docile animals who are quite content to curl up on the couch all day long. But when you get a Whippet out into the yard, they come alive and appear to have enough energy to power six dogs twice their size. They are sprinters, and can reach top speeds of 35 miles per hour. Whippets are
The Whippet is a lean, graceful sighthound that looks like a tiny Greyhound. The head and muzzle are long, the chest is deep and the neck, back and loins are arched. The ears fold back when in repose and are semi-pricked when the dog is alert. The eyes vary in color, depending on the individual, but the darker they eye color, the better. The strong teeth should meet in a scissors bite. The short coat
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