Lee also notes whippets have a very low "doggy odor," so they won't need regular baths , and their ears don't retain moisture like some other breeds do. She advises keeping their nails short and wiping them down after a romp outdoors. On top of being easy to groom, their coats are also soft and satiny to the touch. Whippets do not bark very much and tend to be better companion dogs than sentry dogs, and they can be trained for agility competitions.
Because of the intense prey drive they were bred for, it's extremely important to keep your whippet on a leash in any outdoor, unfenced situation—if he takes after a squirrel, he'll be very difficult to catch. Lee offers another word of caution: "Whippets do not do well as only dogs left alone for long stretches of the day," she says.
She suggests doggy daycare or hiring a walker for your dog if you must be gone for long hours. According to the American Whippet Club , this is one of the healthier purebred dogs out there. That being said, it's important to help your whippet maintain a healthy weight —after all, his slender frame was not built for excess pounds. One extremely rare genetic condition that only affects whippets is called Bully Whippet Syndrome, a gene mutation affecting muscle growth.
When one mutated myostatin gene is present, it can increase muscle mass and make for a stronger, faster racing dog. But when two recessive myostatin genes combine, the resulting dog is abnormally muscular—think Arnold Schwarzenegger in dog form.
And bully whippets' normal-sized hearts must support these extra-large bodies, leading to heart issues. Genetic testing can detect Bully Whippet Syndrome and other conditions that can affect your pup. The Canine Health Information Center recommends screening your whippet for hip dysplasia , deafness , and hypothyroidism , as well as conducting cardiac and eye exams. The whippet originates in Northern England, and their likeness has been seen in artwork throughout antiquity, the Middle Ages, and the Renaissance, according to the American Whippet Club.
So the miners and other working-class folks of the region cross-bred more rugged and amiable terriers with the fleet-footed greyhound, resulting in a smaller, hardier, and still-speedy dog. They made an excellent family pet," Lee says.
As time went on, the breed caught the attention of wealthier dog fanciers, who crossed in a little more Italian greyhound to create a slightly more elegant form. The whippet crossed over into America with English immigrants, and The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in Whippets became especially popular in the early days of California, where they were raised as racing dogs.
Douglas Fairbanks, the silent film star, even had a racing whippet. Whippets are sleek, mid-sized dogs that were bred for chasing small prey. They require minimal grooming and love to cuddle. By Sonja Swanson Updated September 06, Breed Group Group Breed Group herding hound hybrid non-sporting none sporting terrier toy working.
Dog Size Size Dog Size extra large lbs. They do very well indoors, especially when their owners are close. They thrive on human companionship. Heredity is another significant factor when it comes to the resulting size of an adult whippet, but there is a responsibility on the owner to ensure they reach their full potential.
Puppies must get the right nutrition from day one, getting all the nutrients that they need to grow appropriately. Either being overweight or underweight is not desirable. This should be divided into two feedings, and fed separately.
However, how much your whippet will eat will depend on their age, build, size, and activity levels. A highly active dog, will require more food than one who prefers spending most of their time on lying down.
Exercise is essential for this breed, it keeps them remain fit and healthy, while also being sufficiently mentally stimulated. It is best to walk them multiple times per day as opposed to a longer, singular walk. A couple of minute leashed walks a day is generally a good amount. You must be mindful of the breed when keeping them on a leash, as they do have a high prey-drive and tendency to attempt to run off if they see the opportunity. Equally, you will need to make sure that you have a high fence around your yard.
This will allow you to let your dog burn off some energy without the risk of escaping which they will attempt to do if given the chance. While exercise is very important to this breed to retain a healthy weight, you do need to be careful in the puppy stage. They should not be over-exercised as this will put a lot of strain on their growing bones and joints. Following the rule of of five minutes of exercise per month of age is advised. For example, a five-month-old whippet should not engage in more than 25 minutes of structured exercise a day.
Whippets typically reach their full adult size by the time they are months old. Generally, the larger the whippet ultimately becomes, the longer it takes for them to reach that size. As males are larger, they tend to stop growing around the 14 month mark, whereas females tend to stop at the 12 month mark. However, if a female is on the larger side, she may stop at 14 months. Either way, most whippets grow rapidly between birth and eight months.
This is why a high-quality, protein-rich diet is essential. Nevertheless, the dogs genetics will have a large influence on the resulting growth. It is for this reason why growth rates will vary slightly from one dog to the other. Some lines grow faster than others and will reach their adult height by six months, whereas it can take some dogs for more than twelve months to reach their adult height.
Some whippets experience a short and fast growth spurt at different age intervals; such as at eight months, then again at ten months, and another spurt at twelve months. For the most part, a full-grown whippet is still small enough to sit comfortably on your lap, yet large enough to be a great running companion.
In terms of size this dog is an all-rounder! Nonetheless, you should follow the diet that your breeder advises for your puppy.
It will be a protein-rich nutritionally complete diet, but they can advise you on specific brands for this breed. By sticking to this diet, and adjusting for your whippet at the various stages of development and growth, you can ensure they reach their adult potential.
They will also be able to advise you on the appropriate dietary needs for your dog at each respective age. Whippets will begin to mature socially between the ages of 12 and 36 months. These dogs have their unique personalities, and some will behave more like adults earlier than others. There will be changes to their personality accordingly. When whippets reach adult maturity, you should find that they will calm down and be more relaxed. Are you planning to get a whippet puppy?
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