Iggies And Whippet

[Martina]

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Note: A very long post :b

So glad I found this forum.. I have been member of the igpost.com – the US based Italian Greyhound board – for the past few years but it is great to find yet another place where all IG can be shared…

I am very happy to see the whippet crowds here – I am in the “pro and contra” while thinking of another addition to our pack. Even though I do have the IG potato chip syndrome – and would LOOOOOVE to add one more iglet … I have started with the coursing and thinking of getting something more ..well-solid.

Being based in UAE my first though was saluki. We see them quite a lot here – I really like the breed, they have great personality, they are so elegant and beautiful.

But I had to bring myself down to planet Earth and start to think in my real terms and conditions.

First of all, the size difference between IG and salukis scares me – the IGs are so delicate – it might be just asking for breaking bones troubles-having these two together unsupervised. Also, the prey drive of salukis is very high… and let’s be honest – IGs can resemble a skinny rabbit running around the garden… Then, my garden is quite minuscule – good enough for iggies and the possible whippet.

I have noticed there are quite a few IG AND whippet owners on this board.

How the two breeds do together?

How different are the whipps from iggies in terms of care, training, time requirements?

I do not intend to do any "serious serious" sport events with them. Just weekend coursing fun, desert rabbit chase, play at the garden, walks. I do take my dogs for walk every day (on leash) and do big exercises and plenty of off leash time during the weekend. Both my girls are reasonably (more than reasonably actually) fit and healthy. Would that be enough for a whippet? Or do they require different routine? I do work in the office during the day so my doggie time is after 6pm and weekends.

I would appreciate any comment and advice from the experienced owners here.

Many thanks!

 

[zilloot]

I've got four whippets, one Iggy and a big-black-troubLabrador that belongs to OH. With careful supervision all mine run off the lead together in the field and in the garden although I've noticed Zoomie does 'take care' around the big dogs. He can certainly keep up with them.

It's only just getting warm enough for coats-off here and Zoomie does look like a streaking hare - they do chase him as 'prey' so I'm going to make him a little orange excercise vest so we can all keep an eye on him - I think that's going to be necessary.

From the whippies point of view Zoomie Ig treats them like heated blankets whether they like it or not and he steals their toys and gave my 11yr old whippie a telling off for looking at HIS breakfast. I think my dogs are all pretty lazy really - a good run once a day and they're couch potatoes while I work!!! :thumbsup:

 

[gina]

I've got four whippets, one Iggy and a big-black-troubLabrador that belongs to OH. With careful supervision all mine run off the lead together in the field and in the garden although I've noticed Zoomie does 'take care' around the big dogs. He can certainly keep up with them.

It's only just getting warm enough for coats-off here and Zoomie does look like a streaking hare - they do chase him as 'prey' so I'm going to make him a little orange excercise vest so we can all keep an eye on him - I think that's going to be necessary.

Same here it's been warm enough here for several 'naked wakies' and Gucci looks so strange!!! I'm so used to this bright blue flash whizz past me that it's quite a worry now she blends in with the dead grasses!! Luckilly she has the fastest recall in the west so no real worries!!!! :sweating:

She runs free with my Lurchers and can now catch up and overtake my Gemma, the slowest of the 3 but usually stops mid run to bite Gemma's tail or hocks :rant: Gemma's not impressed with that i can tell ya as Gemma just tries so hard to catch Woody up and it's hard enough without an Iggy swinging off your tail!!!!! (w00t) (w00t) Lulu plays lovely with Gucci but i wont let Woody chase her on walks as he is so crazy when running round-he is so rough. That would be asking for trouble, i wont even let him chase Lulu. But he plays in the house with her great, they are best buddies :huggles:

 

[doris]

I've got 2 IG bitches and 2 whippet dogs, I think that's a good combination cos the girls soon tell the boys if they think they are getting too close for comfort!

I let mine off 2 at a time for their first run, to let off steam, then all off together when they've calmed down - I learnt to do this after my boys looked like they were going to course my first IG, it scared the life out of me!

I found the hardest thing was how the boys changed when we went from 2 up to 3, they went from being 2 nice dogs to a pack of bullying hunting hounds! 4 is even worse! love them all the same though :wub: