Aroura Posted May 9, 2004 Posted May 9, 2004 Does anyone know anything about whippets? Of all the breeds in the dog book it was the only one Josh and I both liked, I liked a few others as well, but feared they may turn out aggressive like Lily and I never want to go through this heart ache again :cry: So what are they like temprement wise? I want to know everything I can before I decide on a breed! Quote
courtnek Posted May 9, 2004 Posted May 9, 2004 As with humans, every Whippet has his or her own unique personality. Nontheless, there are common traits that can be generalized to the breed. Whippets are bright, playful, exuberant, noble, graceful, loyal, affectionate, independent, and they enjoy playing practical jokes. They are, at heart, basically elves. Everybody claims that their favorite breed is intelligent and good with children (which, I suppose, means that the dog will refrain from dining upon them). Whippets are very bright, which helps a great deal in training them, but this can be offset by their independent nature: their desire to do your bidding isn't as great as in working breeds, for example. Motivation can usually be provided in the form of something edible. Yes, Whippets are good with children, although not so good as to be able to spare you the expense of baby-sitters. People frequently misjudge Whippets on the basis of their appearence. For example, some think that Whippets will be cold and aloof, due to their aristocratic bearing. On the contrary, they are are loving and demonstrative. I have also heard concerns that Whippets might be high-strung and skittish, probably a result of seeing their quick reflexes, and the boundless enthusiasm with which they greet you at the door. I have had a dog or two that didn't care for thunder or fireworks, but truly neurotic Whippets are rare. This is not to say that Whippets are not excitable: they will zip about when their human comes home after a day's work (or when feeding time comes around) but within minutes they settle back into their normal state, which is asleep on something soft. The American Kennel Club has published the Whippet Breed Standard online. Check it out! Whippets are kin to Greyhounds, and are a member of a group of hounds known as sighthounds, which include Greyhounds, Afghan Hounds, Salukis, Borzois (Russian Wolfhounds), and others. Sighthounds are distinguished by their visual acuity and their dependance on their eyesight for hunting (hence the name). Sighthounds also tend to be lean, deep chested, and leggy. Can they run really fast? Whippets are swift and agile runners. They can sprint at 35.5 mph, which is about 5 mph faster than a domestic cat or a white-tailed deer. Click on this picture for a QuickTime Movie of a running whippet(600K) Greyhounds are faster, topping out at a maximum speed of 39.35 mph, and have greater endurance for longer runs. It is a joy to watch these animals enjoying the full power of their speedy bodies. Despite their fragile appearance, these are tough, resilient little dogs, and I have repeatedly watched one trot away from a high-speed wipeout that to all appearances should have caused it to burst into flames, or perhaps break into several fragments. Don't you ever feed those dogs? My dogs eat very well. They have healthy appetites and are permitted to eat all they care to. Their lithe figures are the result of regular exercise and good genes. They are the envy of just about everyone. heres the link http://www.sonic.net/~whippet/what.html theres a lot of good information there Quote
Guest Anonymous Posted May 9, 2004 Posted May 9, 2004 Every whippet I have met has been sweet...but, they certainly are timid. I work with dogs and deal with alot of whippets and italian greyhounds. "Sensitive" is the word I would use...they certainly are not winter type dogs :lol: I know some people who have litter trained their whippets and italian greyhounds here in Canada during the winter months...although I have seen a couple carried about with winter gear on :wink: Quote
courtnek Posted May 9, 2004 Posted May 9, 2004 most hounds, I have found from working with Laurel, are sensitive. A harsh look will often make them chill out - harsh words make them cringe. they need training, but by all means it must ALWAYS be positive. This is not a dog you can yell at and waive your arms around in the air....also, be prepared for the bay, if Whippets bay. It's a highly unusal sound, and can be aggravating if they wont stop. you can go here to hear the bay...these are beagles...the foxhounds (mine) is much more drawn out http://www.grsites.com/modperl/soundview.cgi?dir=misc&fn=misc169.wav&desc=Bloodhounds%20baying Quote
Aroura Posted May 10, 2004 Author Posted May 10, 2004 Thanks courtnek and doggylover. There used to be a little dog down the road that I thought was a whippet. It was very timid and kind of turned me off whippets for a while... then I was thinking about it the other night and realised that it was too small for a whippet and was probably an Italian Greyhound! Courtnek, from your post it seems they are a wonderful breed. I only ever use motivational training, I wouldn't know what to do without it, I've got Papillons! I listened to the sound demo... ok it says bloodhounds - do whippets sound the same? Are they howlers? I've received back an email from a breeder, she seems nice and gave me the phone number of an Afghan hound breeder and show judge that might be able to help me if I decide to show! Here is the whippet breeders site: http://www.geocities.com/sheberghankennel/center.htm Quote
courtnek Posted May 10, 2004 Posted May 10, 2004 I dont really know. I have been trying to find that out. It is a sighthound, not a scenthound, so it may not bay at all... Scenthounds bay to call the hunter...and alrt him to trailing and finding the prey...sighthounds may not bay at all. The warning was just incase they do. I personally like the sound of the bay, but the neighbors might disagree... :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: of course, during a barkfest (common around here, theres a dog in almost every house) the bay becomes annoying...its' loud, drawn out, and sounds like the dog is in pain...one of my neighbors called AC because they thought Laurel was in pain...she was adding her two cents to the neighborhood barkfest... :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: Quote
Aroura Posted May 10, 2004 Author Posted May 10, 2004 Hmmm, I've never actaully been to a greyhound race, but I've seen them on tellie but it doesn't LOOK like they're barking.... :-? Quote
Aroura Posted May 10, 2004 Author Posted May 10, 2004 What happend with the gas man? I've always heard that retired greyhounds make great pets, I'd even consider one if I wasn't after a puppy - my last two dogs were older when I got them so I really want a puppy now :wink: Quote
Aroura Posted May 10, 2004 Author Posted May 10, 2004 Oh thats terrible!!! Our gate is padlocked, Lily is an expert at opening anything humans can, only has to watch us unlock and open a door a couple of times until she figures out how to do it herself, she's a smart cookie. So we had to put a padlock on it - the gas man has been once since we've moved in though, Lily was trying to eat him through the fence so he had no choice but to yell out to me! Have you considered getting another one? Thats so wrong of them not to take any action, they can't just go around letting other peoples dogs out, you'd think there'd be laws about that wouldn't you? Well, exciting news everyone! One of the people I emailed got back to me, she rarely breeds but what she does breed are quality pups - about $200 more than the average whippet, but they go for car rides from the day they open their eyes and are from grand champion lines. Because they are socialised right from day one the breeders think its important to continue to socialise them, so have even written a book that they give out with them, coaching owners from the day they buy the pup to the day it dies. They come with a bag of food and some favourite toys they are used to playing with. Josh has decided he wants to own this dog with me, which is great, it will be OUR dog :D These breeders have a litter due at the end of May, and are taking deposits now, so I talked to Josh and if we each put away $50 a fortnight, by the time the puppies are 8weeks old we would have paid one off :angel: Its still all in the maybe stages now, but it will be perfect if we do get one of these puppies. I've been suprised to see the standard of whippet breeders! Everyone I've heard back from so far has had really nice kennels with lots of champion, well cared for dogs, and all emphasise early and continued socialisation.... though what suprised me most was how hard to come by whippet breeders are! Anyway, this particular kennel has really nice looking whippets, here is a link to their page: http://www.lisp.com.au/~chasbank/index.html Go and have a look! :D Quote
Aroura Posted May 11, 2004 Author Posted May 11, 2004 Well there is a neighbourhood cat here that is always hanging around the house and banging to come inside. I havn't let it in yet, Lily doesn't like cats, besides, the rats are in the living room! But I guess I'll have to get the cat used to coming in the house (it isn't scared of dogs, and Montie and Cassie don't chase cats) so that when I get the new pup its got a cat to grow up around! :lol: They are a good size though, tall enough to be a "proper" dog, yet skinny and light enough that they are cheap to feed and wont pull you over walking them down the street! :D Quote
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