Whippet.. whippet good!

[MoJo]

I have been thinking about getting a Whippet for a while now. I also looked at the Italian Greyhound, but there are not really many to choose from in my area. I like how affectionate and intelligent the Whippet is, as well as laid-back, when not racing around in the back yard.

I currently own Mocha, the Siberian Husky cross, or, I should say she owns me, but am wondering if she will get along well with another dog. Mocha choses to live outdoors, but I want the Whippet to be me lap-dog indoor companion. Mocha loves to run, and I know Whippets do as well, so I think that they would be good to play with each other. I would love for her to have a play-mate.

Anyone know much about Whippets? I have done a lot of reasearch, contacted some breeders in my area about available 1yr old+ dogs to a companion home, and am just waiting for replies.

[GreyhoundGirl]

First off, hats off to you for getting advice and opinions before bringing in a new dog. I love seeing reponsible pet owners out there!

What do you want to know? I'm here for the question-answering.

I would advise getting one of the 1+ year olds. They will probably be already trained and will be reletively easy to bring into the home.

Whippets are wonderful, but have very think skin and coats, seeing as you're also in Canada it would be wise to buy a good thick winter coat. Even though they are NOT outdoor dogs, they will still get chilly on winter walks. Whippets are generally good with other dogs (of course, with proper socilisation) so I don't think you'd have any problems bringing one in with Mocha. A whippet would be a good playing partner for Mocha, because they're very energetic outside, and rather... uh... lazy inside. Very calm. Being energetic outside, it will likely tire Mocha out a bit, (probably a good thing with a husky ;) )

They're simple to brush, so no worries there. Realy the only grooming tool you'd need is a Zoom Groom. For size they're small-ish medium dogs, but tend to curl up so they don't take up as much space as many think they would.

Also, you need a martingale collar. Whippets have very thin necks and are very streamlined, and they will be able to slip out of most collars. If you get a simple one these aren't too expensive.

You might want to consider what sort of area you're in. Are you in a busy area where there are lots of cars? Whippets are hounds and will chase, they have a strong chase instinct. It is very unadvised to let your whippet off leash in even remotely dangerous areas. Tennis courts I find are nice, fenced areas where they can get in a good off leash run. Forests are prefered, but there might not be one handy.

Whippets are a smart breed, and easily trainable. They're very playful, but not fond of fetch, weather it be balls, sticks or frisbees. They do like catch-me-if-you-can, because they never lose.

Whippets are one of the most gentle breeds out there, IMO, they're very great with children and VERY gentle. They're very patient, but if their buttons get pushed too many times they'll leave. They tend to walk away instead of snap, but of course, not all dogs are the same.

Being so gentle, they're not really a rough-and-tumble dog. And many are quite fragile, being so skinny. They aren't big swimmers either.

They're not very brave. They tend to be very timid and skittish. New things scare they so sometimes you have to take new things and people slowly, so your whippet has time to get used it it/them.

<phew> That was longer then I planned :p

Anything else?

[MoJo]

AMAZING! I love you :D Lol. Just kidding, I just really liked the information you gave- you really know your Whippet and are amazing at trying to help me out! Thank you so much!

Well, I live in a town with only a population of about 1000 people, so there isn't really much traffic. A winter coat will be sooo cute, lol. The Whippet I have been looking at is an ex-show dog from our area. She wasn't the show prospect that they thought she would be so they are selling her to a good companion home. She is between 1 and two years old.. crate trained etc. Someone else is also interested in her as well, so if they decide not to get her, then if I want her she is mine.

[coco-bean]

Good luck! I've seen whippets on TV,other then that i do not know much about them! But i applaud you with getting the know the breed before you get one!!!

[MoJo]

AHHHHh IM EXCITED!!!! I called the breeder today, and 'Reba" as she is called is still available! Not this weekend but next we are going to go and take a look at her. I asked that, 'what if Mocha and Reba do not get along" and she agreed that we can return her if it doesn't work out the way we hoped. And that is a BIG deal to us- we dont want to make Mocha feel like she is being replaced and what not. Anywho- here is the website if anyone wants to take a look at her. She is under the link "Litters" and is right at the top of the page.
http://www.lynallanwhippets.com/

Thinking of renaming her to Corvette, Hyabusa or something along those lines. (Fast car- Corvette, Fast Sport Bike- Hyabusa)

What do you know about the Whippets eating habits... it is Alot? Little? Average? I tried to do research on it, but couldn't find -anything-. Any info would help. I will also be asking the breeder what type of food she is using and other questions.

[Rainbow]

I have a whippet! Well, not a show quality one but a whippet never the less..and yes I would recommend them.

Now, I have met many whippets since I have Jed and most of them do seem a little nervy, whilst Jed isnt, so I guess its a lucky dip. Now Jed has a thing about those little fluffy dogs...he loves to chase them, they run in fear, so he chases them more..Its a sighthound trait. I find he is better with a bigger dog, as he will run and wrestle with them quite happily and be quick enough to get away if he gets overwhelmed. Therefore , if your new whippet is a plucky thing like Jed, she/he will probably get on well with your husky. They may look fragile, and indeed their skin can tear easily, but they are tough little dogs nevertheless.
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p117/Lioness_2007/Jed%202006/IMG_0405.jpg

[Rainbow]

Sorry, you asked about food...Jed doesnt eat much..a quarter of a can of dog food and some kibble and he gets fat! Mind you, it wasn't until he hit 2 years old before he managed to gain weight..when he was one I fed him twice that and he was skinny. Best ask the breeder....as you may want to keep him on same food for awhile anyway, they can have sensitive bellys

[Borzoi mad]

Iabsolutely adore Whippets. I wish you the best of luck if you take Reba on and hope all works out for you. Keep us informed .

[Janimal]

Hi there, Im quite new to the forum. I have only ever owned whippets - they are of course my favourite breed.:)

At the moment I have Oscar who is 3 in July this year and Kobi who is 2 gone March. Before these two I had a brindle boy called Chip - with us for 12 1.2 years and when I lived at home with parents a little girl caled lady.

Whippets can be slightly mad sometimes, but on the whole are very sociable and friendly dogs and love to sleep in the house.:)

heres some pictures of my two with my brother and sister in laws husky Boo......

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y79/Janimal/Boo/Resized_PuppysittingBoo025.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y79/Janimal/Boo/Resized_PuppysittingBoo018.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y79/Janimal/Boo/Resized_PuppysittingBoo020.jpg

[MoJo]

Beautiful dogs! And.. how ironic that they are hanging out with a husky! Lol. Well, I was in touch with the breeder again today through e-mail. Reba will come with a crate, and after she is fixed we will get her papers in our name. Bjorn, my Fiance and I are hoping to change her name to Hayabusa, a high-performance street bike, and call her Busa for short. I am very excited as you can see, any more information on the breed would really help! Anythign at all.

[GreyhoundGirl]

lol... well, the most important thing I can tell you about the breed is never leave them alone with small dogs. Particularly small, fluffy/furry dogs. They will chase them, and it is quite common to have westie-like breeds killed by greyhound / whippet type dogs.

For food, I find it about normal amount. My girl Jenny is a greyhound/whippet and is substantially larger then a whippet, so I can't give you an accurate amount. But whatever the bag says should be about right.... Now, I'm not sure if this is a breed trait, but Jenny has a very sensitive stomach and she is very hard to keep wieght on. (I think she runs too much, too fast) Weather this (sensitive stomach) is a breed trait or not, I think you should feed her a good-quality food. I like Chicken Soup, because it's more available then some of the other brands to canadians, but I'm sure some of our nutrition experts here will be more then willing to help with food. :)

Best of luck getting her! That breeder has some gorgeous dogs!




Note: In exchange for all that typing I did I think I deserve at least a dozen photos a month. That seems fair. ;) bwahahaha!

[GreyhoundGirl]

Oh, and I'm not quite sure where in canada you are, but I like these... lol, I'm really into this thread. :p These are good quality, but expensive, coats. I've chosen to suggest these ones because they're much warmer then the simple "blanket" style that is everywhere. You can get simple blanket coats at walmart for like 20 bucks... but they will fall apart, probably be fiddly, and only be a simgle layer of fleece. MOST IMPORTANTLY: bear in mind, whippets do not have the shape most dogs do. Their unique (but beautiful) shape makes cheap coat-fitting difficult .

Whippet size:
http://chillydogs.ca/productGreatWhiteNorthWhippet.html

This is the same one, but on a greyhound you can see the coat better in this shot, that's why I'm linking it. ;)
http://chillydogs.ca/productGreatWhiteNorthLongAndLean.html

Needlenose is the brand name in greyhound coats. A lot of people swear by them, but I'd prefer chillydogs. Chillydogs is manufactured in Canada, so you know their coats will be warmer. And Needlenose seems over-priced for the simplicity of their coats. They're a plain blanket-coat. Some of them have snoods, which would be nice, but I think on the whole chillydogs would be better. The chillydogs coat I linked is their warmest coat the winter one. It's easy to put on, windproof and waterproof, and even has some reflective tape on it.

Needlenose
http://www.needlenoseapparel.com/Needle%20Nose%20Apparel/Coats.html (http://www.needlenoseapparel.com/Needle%20Nose%20Apparel/Coats.html)




That'll cost an extra photo. ;) :D

[Janimal]

Really looking forward to seeing pictures now. Good luck:cheers: :)

[Rainbow]

Yeah all the sighthound owners are waiting with bated breath now..come on..quick stix..we want whippet and photos!!!

[GreyhoundGirl]

lol... I want photos... a lot of photos... ooo especially if it's a fawn... I malt at the face of fawns... :wubsmily:

EDIT: just some general info... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whippet

[beckyclare]

cant wait to see more pics hun xx

[MoJo]

I promise I will get some up the day she is in my arms! On the 14th of April we will be picking her up. I e-mail the breeder daily (I think she probably is very annoyed with me by now.. asking every question under the sun like 'how much does she eat/ what food is she on? and if she knows any basic commands and if she rides in a car well.. etc. Muwahahaha)

[GreyhoundGirl]

lol! :D

[mysterydog1]

I have a whippet! Lemmie go get her pics!

[mysterydog1]

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m103/mysterydog1/MaleWhippetPuppy.jpg

That is my dog's half brother. They have the same mom...

This is my Vanna's brother Coal.
http://bodeswelldogs.com/whipmale.htm
And this is her Daddy
http://www.cherchewhippets.com/jacob.html

And finally VANNA!
She has her AKC and CKC Championships. =]
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m103/mysterydog1/Vanna03-1.jpg
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m103/mysterydog1/Vanna04.jpg
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m103/mysterydog1/Vanna02.jpg
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m103/mysterydog1/Vanna01.jpg
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m103/mysterydog1/VannaWhippet1-2.jpg
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m103/mysterydog1/VannaWhippet3.png
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m103/mysterydog1/VannaWhippet4.jpg

[MoJo]

Gorgeous! I -promise- to have pics up ASAP after the 14th! Lol

[GreyhoundGirl]

I have a whippet! Lemmie go get her pics!

Ohhh!!! THANK YOU!!!! I can never get enough whippet pics. Never! Gorgeous whippet you've got there btw :) Nice collar too! (and thank myself for remembering to check back to this thread. Thank you greyhoundgirl!!!!)

[Janimal]

Wow - beautiful pictures - lovely whippets.:) :cheers: