Whippet Introduction

[Ory]

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Hello, I am new to this forum and I was sent here by people from Champdogs who own and love Whippets. I have asked a couple of questions there as well, but would love it if you guys could help introduce the breed as well. Specially since all of you seem to be very experienced. ) I come from Europe and since Whippets originate in UK, who will know better than English people :thumbsup: .

So here are my questions:

1) Is there such thing as working lines and show lines when it comes to Whippets? If so, where are the differences?

2) Can they adopt to city life or are they strictly for country living?

3) How much exercise do they need and can a normal person handle it?

4) Can you trust a Whippet without a leash ( in save environment of course)?

Thank you so much for all your answers :=))

 

[~elizabeth~]

Welcome to K9! Where are you, as there are a quite a few K9 people on the continent, from Belgium to Norway.

1. Yes, there are working (coursing), racing and show lines, all slightly different sizes and shapes depending on what they are bred to excel at. If you look at the different sections on this site you will get a feel for the differences, and see dogs in action in their particular field.

2. As long as they have a warm, comfortable bed and a nice open space to run around, I don't think they mind where they are. Many country whippets love city parks, especially when the squirrels come out to play :- "

3. Probably less than many breeds actually. They are content with two 20-30 minute walks to the park, where they will usually exhaust themselves racing about. If you can give them more that's fine too.

4. Depends on what you mean by secure. I think most whippets I know are regularly walked off lead in traffic-free, open areas. Bear in mind though that they may chase livestock (cows, sheep, horses) and wild animals (rabbits, deer) and even ones that usually obedient might develop temporary deafness when chasing after something.

Hello, I am new to this forum and I was sent here by people from Champdogs who own and love Whippets. I have asked a couple of questions there as well, but would love it if you guys could help introduce the breed as well. Specially since all of you seem to be very experienced. ) I come from Europe and since Whippets originate in UK, who will know better than English people :thumbsup: .So here are my questions:

1) Is there such thing as working lines and show lines when it comes to Whippets? If so, where are the differences?

2) Can they adopt to city life or are they strictly for country living?

3) How much exercise do they need and can a normal person handle it?

4) Can you trust a Whippet without a leash ( in save environment of course)?

Thank you so much for all your answers :=))

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[*Lesley*]

welcome to K9 :cheers: Agree with everything Elizabeth said :thumbsup: if you go to the main page you can see the different catagories this should give you some idea of the things a whippet can do with plenty of pictures too :thumbsup:

 

[Paula Roberts]

Hi and welcome to k9, agree with everyone else a whippet will do whatever you want it to.

 

[~Sarah~]

Hi Ory

Welcome to K9. I'm sure you will get loads of advice here. It's a great site. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[Beerhound]

Hi and welcome to k9, agree with everyone else a whippet will do whatever you want it to.

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Don't you mean it will do what it wants to do!!!! :lol:

Got to love them though. :wub: :huggles:

 

[Paula Roberts]

Didn"t want to scare them off by telling them that bit. :- " Plus we have to pretend we are in control. (w00t)

 

[Ory]

Thank you all so much! ) I will check out all the photos and try to read more topics. I have to say you didn't scare me off, as I know this temporary deafness much too well with my Chihuahua and a Staffy mix :- " . I always say there's never 100% when it comes to dogs. My eyes are usually in front, in the back and all around when walking my dogs . You never know what comes along.

But over all, I love the breed..... they look stunning and magnificent. I am mostly a small - medium size person, so Whippets are actually a perfect breed in every way. Small enough to travel with and take care of and yet not too fragile, so it can be a good family dog...... actually that was my other question. How are they with kids? I'm sure some of you have children and you can share your experiences.

Thanks a lot! )

p.s.: I'm from Slovenia.... we've got a couple of nice Whippet breeders here as well.

 

[Paula Roberts]

I have 3 children the youngest is 7 and he idolises the whippets as they do him, he knows how to treat them thats what ive always taught the kids you have to respect the dogs. )

 

[Strike Whippets]

Whippets are great with kids :thumbsup:

 

[Janimal]

Whippets are great with kids  :thumbsup:

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I second that Hannah - Quote Janis - 2 Whippets and 2 kids plus various other furry small animals :lol: :lol: - oh and a hubby - Whippets get on well with them too most of the time.

 

[Susan]

Whippet's are great with kids . My 2 ( now 6 and 9 ) grew up with whippet's. Rachel aged 9 has her own whippet Ricky ( Guess When ) to race and love , Gary aged 6 loves Tam to bit's :* . He will help race him next year

Ricky sleep's with Rachel every night, so kid's and whippet's are a good match :thumbsup:

 

[Beerhound]

Didn"t want to scare them off by telling them that bit.  :- " Plus we have to pretend we are in control.  (w00t)

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[Ory]

Great to hear Whippets are real family dogs ) . There's one more thing I'm worried about. It's the fact that I have a little Chihuahua at home........ it's not the size difference that worries me, as my friend has a Chihuahua and a Dogo Argentino without a problem, but the hunting instinct that is very much alive in Whippets. Is it possible that it might confuse my Chi with a rabbit or something?

Also how attached do they get to their owners...... what I mean is, I know they will run and chase things, but do they eventually return to their owners? I myself had a Labrador that would go with just about anyone that had some food in his hands. And believe me, she was fed well! She just couldn't get enough :angry: . I loved her to death, but that really annoyed me. And I said I'll never have a breed that will be so trusting with every stranger...... it can actually be very dangerous for a dog .

Thank's a lot for your help!

 

[Paula Roberts]

Hi Ory, IMO as long as you get a pup and bring it up not to be nasty to your other dogs only play nicely they should be fine. Same applies to the dog returning to you if you train them they should do, but some whippets do have a mind of there own, and no matter what you do they please themselves. ) Good luck with whatever you do.

 

[dessie]

Plus we have to pretend we are in control.  (w00t)

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Sometimes!!! LOL!

 

[snapdogs]

Sorry I'm a bit confused.....

are they talking about us!

or our Whippets... Cos I'm well trained :- " well sometimes...