I want to buy a whippet puppy- but can't find one!

[NotYourHolidayDick]

Rhino skin is on.
Hard hat is on.
I'm going in!

So, I want to find a male whippet, preferably white with blue/brindle patches. Ideally 8-9 weeks.

I can't find one anywhere that I'm comfortable with.

Or that isn't trying to charge a gazillion pounds.

Can anybody point me in the right direction? Please?

[WeeMadArthur]

Have you looked on the Kennel Club website for breeders with available dogs?

[PantsyMcPantsface]

I get the whippety craving (my halloween was made last year by meeting a woman out with her kids trick or treating and also a whippet dressed up beautifully in a custom made coat - to look like a ghost whippet. He was gorgeous.

[Dapplegrey]

Whippets are the best.
Op as pps have said puppies have gone up in price recently. We sold our whippet pups for £400 in 2008 (but good home was the priority).

[NotYourHolidayDick]

I'm the best frigging home a whippet could wish for ffs

But I refused to spend £££ on a bloody dog! Especially one that requires no health testing!

Anyway I've put my name on a breeders list. But I'm going to stay grumpy about it.

I have a sad chesterfield sofa with only one whippy on it

[Walney]

Have you considered lurchers? Bedlington whippets are adorable and would be much cheaper.

We have a standard basset hound who isn't KC registered or anything but is still about the same amount of money.

Yes it's a lot of money, but worth it to cover vet bills etc for the mum.

[Walney]

I would also be wary of any puppies where the parents haven't been health tested. If you think the puppy is expensive it's nothing compared to vet bills for a badly bred dog.

[NotYourHolidayDick]

I've fostered lurchers for years. I've home checked and waved dogs off to their new homes. Ive never taken the money from the charities for their food or vets bills- ive paid myself. I've literally done my bit.

This time I want to be selfish and have a proper whippy puppy.

[percheron67]

Try Horse & Hound. I have seen these dear little dogs advertised on threre.

[Walney]

I get that. I was very keen on having a tri colour basset and not a lemon and white, but it meant waiting for the right one. I'm glad we waited but it's hard, and as I say, paying for responsible breeding and health testing is better than huge vet bills and heartbreak later.

[Stationeryqueen]

I get the Whippet love, they seriously are an absolutely fantastic breed. They have a real way of getting under your skin (and duvet!). Clean, amazing with children, intelligent, goofy, non shedding and so loving.

OP, I think Whippet's are having a bit of a resurgence in popularity. When we got our Girl we had loads of the flat cap, northern, Yorkshire jokes. But I think people are seeing past that, which is reflected in the price......especially after the Crufts champion winner last year. I'm sure there will be a little pointy nose claiming a sofa spot soon!

[Wolfiefan]

Unfortunately a pure bred whippet from a proper breeder will cost money and you will have to wait. It’s also more of an issue if you want to specify colour too.

[stayathomegardener]

[Effiedg]

Instead of fixating on a particular breed of dog like it was an expensive handbag and you have to one - go and get a rescue dog and give it a good home.

[swissmilk]

@missbattenburg I definitely see more pups around in the spring/summer (and it's much easier for toilet training that time of year as you can leave your doors open etc)

[NotYourHolidayDick]

Oh someone's grumpy! Get a puppy, it might cheer you up a bit

[missbattenburg]

Now you're being unreasonable, OP.

Puppies cheer no one up. Famously.

[TheTeaFairy]

I think I may be in ❤️*@stayathomegardener* 😍

[MollyCuddle]

I had a look and there is this one ?

[NotYourHolidayDick]

Not convinced they are that ethically bred sadly. As he's exactly the guy I want. I am desperately clinging to my morals here

And he's a 500 mile round trip for me...

[Wolfiefan]

Please please don’t shop online. Honestly it really is worth waiting. I did for my wolfhound. She came from lovely breeders. Her mum still lives (as she always did) in the family home. She only ever had one litter. I’ve stayed in touch with the breeder but also with the other puppy owners and we have reunions. If you’re going to buy a pedigree then please take your time. And good luck.

[Polkadotlollipop]

Sorry but if you are an experienced, sensible and responsible dog owner you will be prepared to wait for the ‘right’ litter (right sire/dam pairing, right colour, sex, temperament, location, rearing scenario, whatever). Plus, expecting to pay less than £500 for an ethically bred pedigree puppy is pie in the sky, I’m afraid.

Stick with your morals re ethical breeding and responsible buying but you do need to be realistic about what puppies actually cost and adjust your budgetary expectations accordingly.

[NotYourHolidayDick]

polka I absolutely agree with you. In every way. For every other dog breed. Honestly I do!

But whippets are proper, hardy, healthy, solid dogs. There are pretty much no health issues, hips/heart etc. They whelp really well, they very rarely need any intervention at all, and they have large litters usually (we've known rescues to come in pregnant and have up to 13 pups!)

Since starting this post, I've actually been offered an 8 week and 1 day old dog. But, he's not been socialised yet. He's pretty much been left with mum and 2 siblings with an elderly farmer 😢

Now I have a real dilemma! The dog needs a home somewhere. I know how to rear a pup, I know I have between 8-13 weeks to socialise before that window closes. But sadly, we don't know his parents temperaments (though the old man says they are lovely), and for its first 8 weeks it's not been around children. Obviously not health tested but that's not a huge concern to me. He's actually started the vaccination process and pup has had first parvo jab and is chipped of course.

My husband wants to rescue the pup. He knows I'm more than capable. But now I'm going into panic mode. And I can't ask the rescues I've fostered for to back me up as there's just no space.

Oh ffs, I do wish I didn't suffer from crippling over analysis and anxiety (which oddly enough my dogs help me with. Go figure) 😂

[Wolfiefan]

Would you be rescuing or paying for a private sale though?