In general, an owner who is involved with his dog, who considers his dog part of the family, and who has an easygoing nature himself is happiest with a whippet. People who are allergic to dogs are sensitive to the dogs dander, not the fur.

Re electronic containment systems, I've not used one, but I believe the modern ones have automatically variable levels, and start at low level, so it's not like it's got no option but to hurt the dog. Dogs, of course, are all individuals and there are exceptions to any rule, but the answers to these questions will give you a good overall impression of a whippet. Thanks for visiting! Whippets who are unhappy with their living arrangements tend to let you know about it. A whippet prefers a relatively quiet household. Definitely agreeing on all the above points, especially the fence.

Whippets were once called snapdogs, because of their ability to snap up and kill rats and hares. Well, don't dive right in! Many excel at lure coursing (chasing a plastic bag pulled by a string) and racing and are also talented in agility and flyball competition. This is important!

Fortunately most whippets have no doggy odor; however, they do shed, and you might want to get a couch that matches your whippet (or vice versa!). That picture at the top of the post is so very typically sighthound! Another big fat no, unfortunately. One question that often comes up is if there is a longhaired or coated variety of Whippet. Remember prey drive? A whippet is company for a lonely senior citizen or a handicapped child. What is separation anxiety? Though most whippets are not used for that purpose today, they are still bred with that instinct in mind, and the ones who are coursed and raced are bred specifically for this prey drive.

Whippets are usually calm in the house but most have spells of running and leaping about in play a few times a day. Recently, there are increased concerns about a connection between Dilated Cardiomyopathy and high-end boutique Grain Free feeds. The most common reason for a whippet to bark is that he has learned that he gets what he wants by barking. Some do dig, but its not a common problem.

. These discreet units can protect anything from your grill to your flower bed keeping your pet out of trouble and giving you less to worry about.. One house and three dogs later, Invisible Fence Brand is still the best solution for keeping my dogs safe and healthy. great stuff fingers crossed and everything else crossed as well :cool: Good luck, you are obviously very committed so I hope it works for you all. .

He can even injure himself trying to escape from a crate or the house itself. Invisible fences also leave dogs vulnerable to attack by loose dogs in the neighborhood. Always walk the dog park the first time and identify any hazards. This is not a complete solution because with the ease she is clearing the fence, ours & then a neighbour's fence is not a problem for her to get over. A. Darcie going over when they went out was the reason that she came back to me from some people that otherwise she would have lived with. Hounds are pack animals, even more so than other types of dogs, and most whippets like doggy company as well as human company.

Some breeds are promoted as hypo-allergenic and they do seem to cause fewer problems than other breeds. Our whippet, Poe, pulls very hard when walking, choking himself. Even if your dog is raised with your cat and loves and plays gently with it, if he ever sees the cat running outside, it may not be his beloved Muffy he sees, but prey. Well, they can reach speeds like that IN THREE STEPS. So, lets talk. Its ancestors probably include the greyhound, the Italian greyhound, and the Bedlington, Manchester, and English White terriers. So You Want to Adopt a Sighthound . These three stay in the yard even when the school bus unloads. I am concerned that Ciara will scale a higher fence. You find them happy in rural settings and in New York apartments, with large families and single people who live alone. Just a thought looking forward to part II. No. I am a satisfied customer. Very few whippets are born without it. Within a minute they'll be too far away to hear you call their name. Whippets, like any other dog, require a good quality feed and plenty of fresh water.

By Thank you for answering some questions I have been thinking about, like dog parks and fences!

Thisis certainly not to say that whippets cannot be safely anesthetized or that they should not take prescribed medicines; just be sure that your vet is aware of sighthounds special requirements and that he knows which anesthetics are safe.

He will panic when his owner leaves the house for any length of time and sometimes when he is simply put into a room alone with the door closed. As they cross the line, it zaps them. Normal lifespan is 10-15 years of age with an average of 12-14 for those who do not suffer premature death from accidents or trauma. Some isolated incidents of deafness and some genetic eye defects have been reported, but they are rare so far. This is not one of the small breeds that can spend its entire life inside, and hell need to get out even in unpleasant weather. Using a crate will make your job much easier. Keep children away from dogs who are eating or sleeping. If the only fence you are able to have is an invisible fence, a whippet is not a good choice for you. While the research is still incomplete, many Whippet breeders do not recommend feeding grain-free kibble until more becomes known about this problem. The Whippet frame is not well suited to carrying excessive weight. All the comments are in all caps for some reason! IMO the run is a good answer for her. Training methods - shock collar/electric fence, rewards & discipline. Keeping an athletic dog in an apartment means no matter how cold or hot the weather is, no matter how tired or sick you might be, the dog must be exercised several times a day and allowed a free run at least once a day. Whippets are smart and learn quickly with positive methods of training. A new home can be stressful at first so even a housetrained adult can make mistakes early on and some males may mark (lift a leg on) walls, furniture, etc., indoors. Q. Not only do Sighthounds require a physical fence when off-lead, we recommend 6-foot board-on-board privacy fencing. If you dont have that, a small fenced yard will work if you can visit a neighborhood tennis court or other large fenced area three or more times a week. It is amazing how quickly the worst can happen, and the first time a sighthound gets away from you can easily be the last. Its easy to become casual about it when your whippet is generally obedient and calm. You cant do agility, obedience, or lure coursing on a leash. Its just not in the breeds nature to spend lots of time alone and not complain about it. Your system now in the palm of your hand. Puppies can be chewers and may chew things that are dangerous or toxic, as well as expensive to replace, so crating is recommended when you are not able to supervise their activities. I agree with Kirislin, good for you to be willing to work with this and overcome it, that shows commitment. She is a lovely dog, very affectionate and great nature, loves our other Whippet puppy so we want to resolve the issue. I would pen them again if I had more pens since I do think it's safer and they sleep most of the time. It makes it look like Im yelling. Whippets generally get the worst of any dog fight, so buried electric fences are not recommended. In addition, they are too small to be very useful for actual protection and many will not even warn you of someone at the door. Most whippets seem to have a natural affinity for kids.

A dog with separation anxiety shows signs of distress when he does not have access to his owner. If you brush your whippet thoroughly once a week, youll minimize the amount of fur you find around the house. I used to pen my dogs when I went out, not because they WOULD get out, but just as it was safer. Is a Whippet a miniature Greyhound? All rights reserved. They have the best customer service I have seen in years! I see our options as: 1. Darcie only escaped in the early stages, and now that she feels comfortable here, she doesn't dig or jump to get out (yes, Darcie can go under as well as over). SueM, Since they have short coats, they dont leave wads of hair around the house, but they definitely shed as much as any other dog. Whippets are versatile and adaptable. Sign up for a new account in our community. Many were said to be fed better than the miners own families.

Most Whippet owners feed either once or twice a day. but as a group, Sighthounds are just a little outside the realm of normal. :cool: Seems like it could be the best solution to keep the little houdini in the yard & we'll get 30 days to test that theory. Because of the low percentage of body fat they carry, these dogs have very little natural insulation against the elements. While generally not stubborn, theyre independent and not the easiest breed to train. Leila Its part of the template for the blog. Has the electric fence worked? Being in a fenced area is only part of the equation. There are many activities open to a Whippet that has been purchased as a companion, and then spayed/ neutered. I never thought the fence would work for Luke, Lenny and Buddy. lol and that was just after I dropped her off,I would be quite happy for her to come back to my place she is such a nice dog,but then I would be called a double foster failure They love her and will do what they can to keep her and keep her safe. They should be delighted to talk with you about their favorite subjecttheir beloved Whippets! Dogs must be kept up to date on shots, free of heartworms and fleas, and checked for intestinal parasites regularly. It is a new breed or strain under development and does carry traits not found in the purebred Whippet gene pool. All dogs shed except for the hairless, breeds. Whippets are an excellent choice for people looking to explore various activities with their dogs. Even if you didn't, most retractable leashes are very lightweight and would probably snap anyway. He may pant, drool, shiver, scratch frantically at the door, and sometimes destroy household furnishings in his panic. Also took the time to explain how to train and use all the equipment! . Those are still bad. Absolutely not. . Professional training and installation They also went above and beyond! In that time she may well have settled enough to not want to get out.

She could have been injured as could I. it is unbelievable how fast she reached the end of the leash. We had one of the dreaded retractable leashes until one day Lynx saw a bird and took off. She's a lucky girl to have owners who care so much, now, how to convince the little fiend. If your whippet sees something outside his yard that he wants to chase, hell run right through the electronic field before he remembers hell be shocked by it. You can also plan to see Whippets and learn more about them at a local dog show, lure trial or race meet. One-year money-back guarantee. We have plenty of adopters who leash walk their Sighthounds and they get along just fine.). Adult whippets are no more destructive than any other breed. He needs toys and lots of things to chew and play with to keep him occupied. One of our rescue dogs Ciara has found a fabulous home with a lovely couple and their whippet, major problem she is sailing over a 6 ft fence,has anyone got any suggestions of how they can keep this girl in, she only escapes when the owners leave to go to work so definitely has some seperation issues, also doesnt like storms and we had a tiny one today and think that is why she took off yesterday,they caught her sailing the gate this morning, this was the reason she came to our rescue group in the first place Their fence is at the council limit so they can not make it much higher. He goes to Little League games with his family or stays home with a bedridden owner. By the time your dog reaches the end of that retractable leash, they can be going close to 45 mph. We will add some height to the area of the fence where she can get straight out, but not to where she can end up in a neighbour's yard. Hes sensitive to human emotions; lots of shouting and door-slamming may make him nervous. Whippet ears are not prone to infections, and generally stay clean and dry on their own. The outer plastic casing fell apart in my hands, but I was able to hold onto the leash. Must a whippet be kept on a leash all the time? The whippet is 18 to 22 at the shoulder, and generally weighs between 25-35 pounds. Whippets at a race meet or lure trial are usually quite excited for their turn to run, and bear little resemblance to the quiet couch potatoes they will become on Monday morning after their weekends excitement is over, but it is thrilling to see them display the athletic side of the breed. No, but whippets trace their oots to greyhounds. More information on Whippet activities can be found in our Whippet Activities pages. Here's how an invisible fence works: your dog runs up to the barrier and their special collar starts to buzz. Could have killed the human. If you dont plan on keeping your dog in the house, you should choose a dog more suited to outdoor life. There is some evidence that heart problems are on the rise in this breed, and there have been a few reports of a bleeding disorder called von Willebrands. In addition, the speed at which a Whippet can run towards something enticing can cause them to find themselves on the wrong side of an electric fence before they realize they have been shocked. So what qualities make a good whippet owner?

What do I need to know about grooming and health care? A large fenced yard (say at least 100 long) is fine. These dogs are not nearly as delicate as they appear and are usually excellent with gentle children. IMO either pen her while they are out or get an electronic containment system, one that is used in conjunction with the existing fence.

I live in a city that thankfully has a good city dog park, and Ive had very few problems taking my greyhound there. Get answers to this and many more questions! Whippets were originally bred to course and kill rabbits small furry prey that runs. All dogs will bite in some circumstances, and a whippet is no different. Mostly not. The important thing is to find a complete and balanced food your Whippet likes and feed the appropriate amount! . Yes you are right, they are sensitive but I took drastic measures & put a temporary electric fence around. Additionally, the Silken Windhound, a newer breed developed with a combination of Whippet, Borzoi, and Windsprite blood, is a larger coated sighthound which appears intermediate between the size and type of the Whippet and the Borzoi. Crate training is always a good idea.

Both the directors of the rescue group where I got her also have 4 ft chain link, and to the best of my knowledge have had minimal in the way of escapes. 2022 Invisible Fence. Do whippets have it? Now you need to consider what's inside that fence. Both have periods of energetic play and running and then collapse into couch potato mode. You need to be a member in order to leave a comment. And regarding the invisible fence other loose dogs may come on the property and attack your dog as they do not have a collar on. We were lucky. The harness just feels better for us. The Whippet is considered one of the healthier breeds, but like any other breed or mix of dog, there are health concerns to be aware of for new owners and breeders. A home visit can help you to determine if the Whippet is right for you, and for a responsible breeder to determine if you are the right home for a Whippet. They may look cat-like and aloof, but most of these dogs are real snugglers. Of course, all dogs are special and we all think our dogs are unique in some way . The whippet originated in England in the 1800s. And it will be several minutesbefore they realize you aren't right beside them. I certainly made a big mistake trying another electronic containment system. AWC Supported Entry/Independent Specialties, 2018 National Specialty Catalog and Results, 2019 National Specialty Catalog and Results, 2017 National Specialty Catalog and Results. Would like to thank invisible fence for the job they did at my house today!

A whippet without enough exercise can not only get into a lot of mischief, but his muscles will not develop properly. It was very frightening when she reached the end of the leash and was jerked to a stop. First of allclose! They need soft bedding on which to sleep, regular exercise and routine veterinary care. Take him out often, praise him for performing outside, and crate him when you leave. Also, the only really safe place for a dog riding in a car is inside a crate.

Our Outdoor Avoidance Units create a customizable 'stay away' zone for your pet to keep them, and your landscaping, safe. Many whippets who pitch fits in a crate alone will do fine if paired with another whippet in the same (large) crate for company. . There are several different types of martingale collars. Most bored dogs can be destructive, and whippets are no exception. in the household. Many breeders do test for those problems and screen for eye and hearing disorders. We always recommend basket muzzles for Sighthounds when they run, especially in a group.

Containment ie pen and/or higher fencing. The prey drive instinct is hard-wired into these dogs and even the best training cannot be guaranteed to control basic instinct. He likes to run and enjoys life with a physically active person, but he also loves to snuggle and, as long as his exercise needs are met, does just fine with a largely sedentary lifestyle. Q. energetic, and because they are extremely agile, they can manage to get in a lot of trouble! Sidoney she has only been their a week, but she was doing this at her previous owners home and they were resorting to tying her up as she was having regular visits at the RSPCA, I suggested the containment system I am not sure if it would work on a whippet they are sensitive creatures I also suggested the dog run which would be a lot safer for her, she is a beautiful girl she didnt try to escape at my place with the same height fencing, She was tied up 24/7 at her previous home, at this home she gets 2 walks a day and is inside when they are home I thought it would of changed her behaviour. Security is critical.

If she's not been there long, once Ciara has settled in, the escaping is likely to subside. Partly because of their low percentage of body fat, these dogs are extremely sensitive to some very common drugs; what may seem like a normal dose for a dog of his weight could easily kill a sighthound. The all-new Boundary Plus Smart System puts the Smart in Smart Dog Fence, alerting you with notifications regarding your system while giving your pet 30% more space to play and offering an endless boundary with correction-free returns.. Our exclusive Boundary Plus Wired containment system offers all of the key benefits of our Boundary Plus systems: the longest range, the most room to play, and correction-free returns. For more information, please read the article here.

Why did it change to all Caps when it was posted? I feel very comfortable with the system and have recommended it often to my clients at my veterinary hospital. But a whippet is more liable to follow you from room to room, to jump up on the furniture, and in general, be more active during the day than a greyhound. Keep in mind that the whippet is more athletic than other breedsits not hard for him to climb or jump out of pens or over puppy gates, even as a pup. We have also found that a properly fitted harness works well for walking. Whippets which are not outside the standard height can participate in all forms of straight track racing and lure coursing, and over- or under-height Whippets are welcomed to the sport of Oval Track Racing.

(Here's an article with more information on the ever useful basket muzzle.) This isnt usually a dog that likes to wrestle and play rough-and-tough games with the boys. I see they are lying NEXT to the dog bed! Another reason we think these things are a bad idea is the "rope burn" they can leave. Remember that if hes okay off-lead 99 times out of 100, that 100th time could be the day you lose your best friend. Otherwise, a roofed pen might be the go - Ciara will likely end up sleeping most of the time that they are out, and they don't have to worry about her. I suppose the other option is to crate for a while but I am not a fan of crating for hours on end, although I can see where it might be necessary, hopefully only as a very short term situation. Greyhounds are much taller and weigh 60-70 pounds; and the Italian greyhound, a toy breed that also looks much like a whippet, is only 13-15 inches tall at the shoulder. Changing the world . So, please, do NOT let your Sighthound off leash in an unfenced area. Both have lots of prey drive (the instinct to chase and kill fast-moving prey). Also think about the people and other dogs in the park.

Either way, the sighthound is not really equipped to defend themselves except to run and in a fenced-in dog park there is no place to run to. Want updates from SHUG? Whippet puppies are pretty mischievous and Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. We had immediate success with the training. Any well-socialized Whippet with a people-loving personality will make a good candidate for the above activities.

Not only might your perfectly cat-safe Borzoi suddenly decide that little Shih Tzu looks an awful lot like a bunny when it starts to run, but that Rottweiler might decide your Greyhound looks an awful lot like a deer when it starts to run, too. Many whippets are friendly with just about everyone.

.

These tears are rarely destructive; whippets are not given to bodyslamming the bookcase or clearing the coffee table with a sweep of the tail. We also recommend finding a private dog park that screens the attendees or at least a park with a separate area for little dogs.

Good thoughts another thing to watch for at dog parks are unaltered males.

Whippets are not right for everyonebut theyre the only breed for some! Can I ever let my Sighthound off-leash? This isnt to say that I dont LOVE my greyhound to death, and she will definitely go for a walk, or even a short jog (1-2 miles tops) on a fairly routine basis. Occasionally you may encounter an aloof whippet, but thats not true of most of them. Theyre sometimes referred to as Velcro dogs. With a whippet in the house, you may have more company than you want in the bathroom, and if you go out to the mailbox, you might be greeted just as enthusiastically upon your return as you would be after a two-week absence. While the original Windsprite claim was not upheld, the dogs caught on with a segment of the fancy and are now more properly named.