Opinions Please

[thebookferret]

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Hi everyone,

I'm new here. I've been reading forums as a 'guest' for ages though.

I need some expert advice please.

I would very much like to get a whippet BUT I will NOT get one if it isn't in the best interest of the dog. I will always put animal welfare above my own hopes and desires.

I have always wanted a dog, but until now work commitments would have meant leaving it alone all day, and I don't think that is right. I now have my own shop, so a dog can come to work with me a never have to be alone.

My concern is about gardens. At home I don't have one, at the shop I do have a small one. This means that during the day time the dog would have access to a garden but it wouldn't in the evenings. I am obviously prepared to take a dog out to relieve itself however frequently it needs to go, and will be able to give it an hours walk/excersise both morning and evening. Is this enough to keep a whippet happy?

All thoughts greatly received!

 

[hollyvictoriab]

I think you sound like you would be a fab whippet owner!

I only have one girl and she is only 9months, so perhaps I am not the most experienced person to comment, but I do know that my girl would be in heaven if she could be with me 24/7. I only have a small back garden, but i do take her up to my horse's livery yard to run loose in the fields. She seems very happy with this set up. She is very good with house training and tells me when she needs to go out, so you probably wouldn't too many probs in the evening.

Good luck and hope you find a lovely new friend if you decide to go ahead with finding a whippet. I wouldn't be without mine!! x

 

[eve]

I do homechecks from time to time Yours sounds like a pretty good arrangement overall.

You would need to check that the garden at the shop is completely secure both from the dog's point of view (escape) and from the theft point of view. It is amazing what escape artists whippets can be if there is something worth chasing in view over the fence :blink:

Do you own the shop and garden? Some landlords may have rules about animals in their property and communual gardens often have rules about dogs in the garden. You have also to be aware of any environmental health issues regarding having a dog in the shop should you be selling food or such like. Just a few things to check out.

You may be better with a dog that is a little older. It might pose a problem housetraining a puppy where it has 2 homes (so to speak) and should you be busy with a customer when the puppy needs out. Not having a garden at home also makes housetraining just that little bit more complicated. Do you live near a park where you can walk the dog and let it have a run?

There are plenty of rescues needing homes and people whose circumstances have changed having to rehome their whippets. The hardest to rehome are dogs with separation issues and a set up like yours might be perfect for a very needy whippet.

Hope this helps

 

[thebookferret]

I do homechecks from time to time Yours sounds like a pretty good arrangement overall.You would need to check that the garden at the shop is completely secure both from the dog's point of view (escape) and from the theft point of view. It is amazing what escape artists whippets can be if there is something worth chasing in view over the fence :blink:

Do you own the shop and garden? Some landlords may have rules about animals in their property and communual gardens often have rules about dogs in the garden. You have also to be aware of any environmental health issues regarding having a dog in the shop should you be selling food or such like. Just a few things to check out.

You may be better with a dog that is a little older. It might pose a problem housetraining a puppy where it has 2 homes (so to speak) and should you be busy with a customer when the puppy needs out. Not having a garden at home also makes housetraining just that little bit more complicated. Do you live near a park where you can walk the dog and let it have a run?

There are plenty of rescues needing homes and people whose circumstances have changed having to rehome their whippets. The hardest to rehome are dogs with separation issues and a set up like yours might be perfect for a very needy whippet.

Hope this helps

The garden is definitely secure - buildings on 3 sides, a wall I can't see over on the other, and the only way into the garden in through the shop. I don't own the shop, but have asked the landlord about having a dog, and he was fine with that. I have a bookshop so there is no issues with health. There are loads of parks, beaches fields etc about, but before even thinking about letting a dog loose I'd do a thorough check that the area is secure so there is no chance of running into roads or any other trouble!

Thanks for your opinions. The more info and guidance I have, the better I am able to make the right decision!

 

[weathergirls]

go ahead get a WHIPPET your set up sounds great best of luck :luck:

the only thing is as us whippet owners know only too well is ONE is never enough :teehee:

 

[eve]

All sounds wonderful. Have you considered contacting Jane at Scruples whippet rescue?

E pupz is also a good way of finding a slightly older whippet in need of a new home. Often the advertizers are more interested in the quality of home than the money. I would not as a rule buy a puppy of e Pupz as most repuitable breeders do not need to advertise their pups.

2 nice whippet dogs on page 3 of ePupZ today including a stunning 2 year old in Durham.

From all the information you have given, I would think your whippet will be a very lucky dog

 

[Suerose]

I agree with Eve that considering an already grown up whippet would be a good idea. Whippet pups can be incredibly lively and if you have people coming in and out of a door that opens onto the street I would personally be worried about the pup slipping out. An adult dog would probably be more sedate and settled in between walks, and happy to curl up somewhere warm and comfy rather than tearing about like a lunatic. Also, if you adopt an adult you will have a far better idea of its temperament and I imagine you'll want a companion who is pleased to welcome people into his or her shop. Could be a real asset to have a whippet welcoming committee! :thumbsup:

 

[JAX]

Im sure a puppy would soon settle in , as regards it getting out on to the road whilst at work with you , you could put up a baby gate . If you get a puppy from a reputable breeder then you should have no worries about temperament either and you can bring the pup up to your way of working . Theres nothing like watching a whippet puppy and all the fun that goes with it . They arent `puppies` for that long either and are `adult` far longer than puppies

Good luck with whatever you decide. lots of good advice from K9 . we are always happy to help

but be warned ,

Whippets are infectious

 

[urchin]

Sounds perfect to me!

I had 2 whippets in my flat (before I moved into my house) and had no garden at all ... I did however have a private park right behind me, so we just used that as a garden ... so long as you're happy to keep popping out for the 'loo breaks' I can't see any problem.

 

[FifeJillandIan]

Hi everyone,
I'm new here. I've been reading forums as a 'guest' for ages though.

I need some expert advice please.

I would very much like to get a whippet BUT I will NOT get one if it isn't in the best interest of the dog. I will always put animal welfare above my own hopes and desires.

I have always wanted a dog, but until now work commitments would have meant leaving it alone all day, and I don't think that is right. I now have my own shop, so a dog can come to work with me a never have to be alone.

My concern is about gardens. At home I don't have one, at the shop I do have a small one. This means that during the day time the dog would have access to a garden but it wouldn't in the evenings. I am obviously prepared to take a dog out to relieve itself however frequently it needs to go, and will be able to give it an hours walk/excersise both morning and evening. Is this enough to keep a whippet happy?

All thoughts greatly received!

Sounds like a lovely set up for some lucky whippet - good luck with finding the perfect companion and I hope you'll post some photos

 

[thebookferret]

Thank you so much for all your advice. I'm going to spend some time thinking everything over so I know that whatever I do is for the right reasons. I can't allow my heart to make a rush decision, I have to do it with my head. I'll keep you all updated!