Any Whippet owners out there?

[2000lightyearsaway123]

Hi all,

I am hoping to get a whippet pup at the end of 2020. I've done lots of research and from what I have read I think a whippet is a great choice for us.

But I would love to hear some real life experience from whippet owner the pros and cons, how they are as pets, any top tips or things that took you by surprise.

TAI

[frostedviolets]

**Staffy was lovely I mean.

[Scattyhattie]

I agree that left unchecked some sighthound play can easily tip into being scary to other dogs, if owner is oblivious to dog behaviour and hasn't ever interupted & stopped it, nothing much will change either. Can see why it would stand out to frostedviolets when its a less common breed.

I tend to avoid popular local walking spots as is often high % of oblivious owners & dogs lacking in social etiquette to be found there & the breed does often determine in what ways that Knobheadedness shows. For some reason labs there would often charge over, get all in my dogs space then try to mount my on-lead greyhounds which upset them.

[NANAAR]

We have 4 dogs..one of which is a whippet...she is now 7 years old.
She is an easy dog now, but as a puppy she was the hardest we have trained..and the chewing was a huge issue, despite having all the correct chews, toys, kongs etc.
She is a massive food thief, and can and will get on any kitchen work top to retrieve what ever she can.
Outside her recall is superb, I can call her back even if she has a rabbit in her sights, she is used to pottering around the horses and is used to being off lead majority of the time. She is fab with children of all ages and with our cats too.
She can be noisy as in she whines, usually when you just sit down to watch tv in the evening.
Expect to loose your sofa, that is definitely their place.. they certainly do not do the floor.. heavens forbid..
Havent a clue what the other lady has experienced as we rarely come across whippets here, nevermind a full on one?? And we're in whippet country...
All in all... quiet, pretty lazy, non smelly, bed/sofa/food thief's but so loving and beautiful xx

[Chipsnchampagne]

We have a whippet and she is definitely the easiest dog I've ever had (and have had dogs in the family since I was a baby). She is affectionate and cuddly, although not always overly demonstrative (if she is curled up in front of the fire she won't necessarliy jump up to greet you). Very, very clean and was totally house trained by the time she was 10 weeks old. Nice and quiet in the house, doesn't bark at every noise like some dogs we've had. Will walk all day, but equally happy with 30 mins round the block if necessary. Very easy to train - recall pretty good although you do have to keep an eye on her in woodland. She is absolutely wonderful with other dogs - yes she loves to play chasing games but usually she is the one being chased! She has lots of local doggy friends who love to play with her and one even drags the owner to my garden gate in the hope of some whippet playtime! However, I have been careful to make sure she was fully socialised from an early age.

[runninguphills]

I have a whippet lurcher. I think she has a bit of Italian greyhound and greyhound in her genetics too.

We love her. She is generally great off lead except when she sees a squirrel - we have to wait until the squirrel is back up the tree before she will recall.

She did the whole hunt playing as a puppy with a fellow whippet but not to other dogs. She's now two and doesn't do it all.

She doesn't bark, is very clean and non smelly. She's loving without being intrusive. She is incredibly quiet in the house and really fantastic with the children.

I think she's the best dog ever.

[Stellaris22]

Parents in law have two whippets and they are lovely dogs, very calm and kind natured. They can be a bit cheeky but they are a delight to see when at full speed. Well trained with very good recall, would highly recommend the breed. I would love one myself but DH only likes bassets now (ours is great so can understand why). They don't need a huge amount of exercise and are calm around the house whilst still enjoying play.