Whippets - what do I need to know?

[UnseenAcademicalMum]

We are currently looking for a dog and have two ds's aged 6 and 2. I've previously owned a collie x and dp has previously owned a schnauzer. I absolutely adore collies, but wouldn't want one whilst ds2 is so young.

However, on a trip to the local dog rescue today, they pointed out a whippet which they thought might be suitable for us. He's a year old, so only a young lad really, but I hadn't considered a whippet before. I've done a bit of reading around and they seem to be reasonably laid-back and relatively easy-going in comparison with "working" type dogs (like collies).

However, does anyone have any words of wisdom for me, please?

As I say, we hadn't really considered a whippet before, so I don't know anything much about them at all.

Would a whippet worry another dog, smaller than it, like a jack russell pegging around a field? Whould the whippet think it was quarry and attack it,...or would it know it was part of the same pack and just be?

Mine is great with all dogs. Even Devil Dog's arch nemisis (who according to his owner gets on with very few dogs) is fine with her. Arch nemisis dog happens to be a JRT.

My sister's Lurcher is also very good with other dogs, even The Devil Dog who is a pain in the arse.

I think from reading this, I am definitely persuaded to go back tomorrow for another look . The food stealing thing could be a bit of an issue though, as ds2 is not a good eater, so we leave food on the coffee table etc for him to nibble on. We might need to rethink that, or make sure the dog is trained out of taking it.

The point about the extendible leads is interesting too, I'd never have thought of that.

LOL at the well hard chihuahua!!! That sounds promising. one of my JRT's is getting a bit long in the tooth with health problems and I have one eye on his demise and another on his heir apparent.

Have you lovely people had yours from puppyhood or did you take them are rehomed? If rehomed - at what age do they tend to be rehomed?

I got mine when I offered to foster her until rescue could be found, as she was threatened with drowning that night if she was not homed. She was 10 weeks old. Dh was not happy but agreed to keep her for a short time while I found somewhere safe for her to go. By the end of her first week here he had named her, bought her a coat, collar and bed. That was 6 months ago. She has had many offers of very good homes, she is going nowhere.

Even DH, who still is not keen on dogs, would have another Whippet or sighthound.

I'm certainly being persuaded. It's really just not a dog I'd ever even considered. It's amazing how different the dog(s) that you end up seriously considering are from your preconceptions.

LOL at Mr Cleanin's internal adoption strategy! One of my dogs "defected" to Mr Pushka soon after he and I met...he maintains it is the reason he married me. Hope he does not leave after said dog shuffles off to the kennel in the sky ...

I chanced upon this thread and as a whippet owner and breeder I couldn't help but throw in my twopenworth. I agree with most of what has been said by the other posters, whippets make gorgeous pets are very restful and fairly undemanding.
Here are a couple of links that potential whippet owners may find useful. This one whippet-health.co.uk has a good section on finding a whippet puppy, what to look for in a breeder, and lots about caring for a whippet.
Finally here is my own whippet site, I've not got any dogs or puppies for sale so I am certainly not touting for business, just offering advice.
bluestreakwhippets.com
Good luck to the original poster, if you choose a whippet I am sure you won't regret it.

Cathie

Another whippet owner here, I think the only thing which hasn't been mentioned is the likelihood that once you get one whippet you'll soon want more. I started with 1 and ended up with four (still not sure what happened there).

Another few things to consider, some whippets can be a bit chewy as youngsters, so I would recommend cage/crate training. Personally, my lot love their cage, it's left open most of the time and there's usually at least one in there at all times. Also, I've found the dogs to be more biddable than the bitches when it comes to training. All of the bitches I've came across seem more independent and slightly less likely to come back to the first recall command. I've never had any problems with my lot shooting off after cats etc. We live in the New Forest and they are all fine round the horses/cows etc.

I do agree with the food stealing comments, but perversly I've found it encourages my girls to eat their dinner at the kitchen table (or guard carefully if eating elsewhere). At all other times they are brilliant with the kids - very patient and good natured.

Go on - you know you want one!

We've now reserved a 1 year old boy whippet from the RSPCA .

Yay - hope you'll all be very happy together!!

Since whippet people are here... ddog had knee surgery on Friday (he had damaged his knee before we got him). He is supposed to be wearing a 'lampshade' collar, but he is part whippet. His skinny head/neck combination means he can flick it off with his front paws. Any ideas - the bandage comes off tomorrow . (He can smile, greyhounds, whippets, salukis can smile in a doggy )

He's black with white paws and a little flash of white on his chest.

When mine had a lampshade on they wrapped another collar around her whipy collar to make it extra secure, of course she could still get it off, it just took her a bit longer. Saying that it did take her three days to realise she could get it off, she is not the brightest match in the box, bless her

Op - you won't regret it.

We had both his normal collar and a bandage tied through the loops, which the vet assured us would work! When he had it on he stood with his head down - once on the sofa, and a little time to consider his plight, off it flicked. (He is part collie, maybe that has given him some logic).

That's just what mine looks like op. If I ever find my phone wire I'll put some pics of her on my profile.