Talk whippets with me!

[JustFoldInTheCheese]

Just doing a bit of preparation research. I've looked at the sort of dog that would suit my circumstances and whippets seem to come out on top.

I often see them recommended by people on here so thought it would be a good place to ask for people's experiences with them - good points and bad points.

Their high prey drive in particular is something I'd like to hear more about. On one hand I have heard that they are very trainable, but on the other hand, I regularly see advice to never to let them off the lead as by all accounts you won't ever get them back.

Obviously, pictures always help these threads along so I'd love to see them 🙂

I have a greyhound-whippet cross, so a bit different

They are quite funny dogs, they are sweet, but also a bit naughty and wilful when it comes to comfort (refusing to go out when it’s wet or cold, stealing their best sofa/bed )

I have not met many who are very well trained, sight hounds are not at all like gun dogs, for example. You can really only train them with a soft hand and gentleness, more carrot than stick. It took me a long time and lots of patience to train her to come back and stay by my side.

But they bond deeply, and are very loving dogs.

I think whippets, greys and lurchers are the best dogs, even though they are big wimps (mine is curled up in her PJs in front of the heating. If I don’t put her PJs on in winter she stands next to me and shivers and looks sad until I comply ).

But read up about them, and be sure they are for you

I’m not keen on them.
They can have a very rough play style (as can all sighthounds) that a lot of dogs find very threatening - intense chasing, body slamming, nipping legs/tails/bums etc.

We have a whippet Italian greyhound Cross.
He is v loving and lazy. But.... V greedy always on the scrounge and I agree with above has an almost aggressive playing style.

That's really interesting about the rough play. I hadn't expected that but I'm not hugely concerned, so long as we know.

Yes, bottom nipping is their play

I only allow mine off lead to play if I know the other dog (or their owners really!) are ok with it

Spaniels often seem to love it and keep coming back for more games of chase and bottom nipping

But easy to avoid by using lead and common sense

Other things are “bitey face” and “zoomies” both of which can have other dog owners go

Any excuse to talk Whippets I agree with much that PP's have written.

I lost my last Whippet girl last year- she was the best dog, so much personality and such fun! She came to work with me most days and loved a trip out in the car. My parents missed her character so much they have taken in a little Whippet girl- who is also full of personality.

(Pros)We have found - very clean, low shedding, easy to train & intelligent. Love to be part of the family and happy to play but will have quiet down time and snooze. They snooze a lot, love a cuddle (but it is like cuddling a bag of elbows!) Ours have always got on well with other dogs and cats. They are always welcoming to visitors & and don't bark much. Very loyal & will choose their person. No diet issues or anxiety issues - which some people report. Fantastic to walk on lead- helped by doing obedience classes.

(Cons) Again in our experience - recall is very difficult to crack, my old girl was never 100% off lead, if something interested her she was off. You won't keep them off furniture- they like to adopt a spot on the sofa, they do tend to feel the cold so will need a coat. Toe nails need really regular clipping, best to learn to do it yourself. Zoomies & bitey face games can be hilarious- but play, especially as pups can be boisterous. I have been run into and 'body-checked' a few times and ended up on the floor. They are terrible thieves- if they like the look of it then they will sneak it away. My old girl would also give me the side eye if she was told off (rarely) or went to the vets- she would turn her back and not make eye contact. Pups can be prone to fractures and leg breaks- take out good pet insurance.

I agree with what PP have said.

They are generally lovely dogs but you do need to be aware of their play style - it can be very rough and not all dogs will enjoy it, so you need to recall cracked so you can call your dog away if necessary. Not all owners will appreciate their dog being nipped at and chased in that way either - it can be a bit scary if you've never experienced it before!

I think there’s a bit of minimising re play here with the faces and terminology; ‘a bit scary’.

My dog has been on the receiving end of whippet play and she was absolutely terrified.
Bear in mind she’s easily twice the size and fast enough to match their speed, possibly outrun.

‘A bit scary’ doesn’t really cover it.
She was relentlessly chased, body slammed, pinned on the floor and nipped.

It may have been ‘play’ but the damage was lasting.

I have had three whippets - currently have a 4 month old pup who, tbh is the easiest dog I have ever had. (Maybe this is the calm before the storm!)

All pups get zoomies so that is to be expected. However, taking my small sample as an e.g., there has never been any crazy barking during zoomies so it makes it all less frantic. In fact, I have only had quiet dogs. (They can whine a bit though if they want something.)

The play style is interesting to think about. I have never had bottom nippers (ouch) but I find they LOVE being chased (because they can always outrun). SO that is something to bear in mind if they are playing off lead with another dog - they can zoom so fast they might inadvertently run into the road for eg. That's why beach exercise is quite nice.

And on that note - rather than scream their name if you want them to return, I've always whistle trained and it's worked well. The whistle noise cuts through the zoom.

They are quite food motivated, but that just makes training much easier. So the come to whistle treat is something super-tasty like chicken.

That's not to say that if there was a small furry thing running very quickly across the path they wouldn't chase it. They would. So it helps to anticipate and stay on the lead on walks unless you are confident you are in a secure area.

My pup is a sweetheart. She is so gentle and has a very calm energy about her. She is very biddable and LOVES a routine. .

What I like most about whippets is that if you give them a walk it is a job well done and they will sleep afterwards. They are really good at snoozing. My pup can sleep from 9 or 10 at night till 9 the next morning and not wake up for a wee. She is reliably toilet trained - all the whippets I've had have been easy to train.

The worst point I think is that they are velcro dogs so they are tricky to be left. However, I have successfully crate trained 2 dogs. This little one I'm afraid I have been rather too soft on and she sleeps in my bed (which is why she sleeps through, probably). And at first I only let her into the kitchen. But I think of it as 'hysterical bonding'. Now she is so secure (and wees outside) I have started to leave doors open and she can choose to follow me around the house or not. Often she chooses not, so I am confident she will be OK to leave (when we can go places!)

She is very self-sufficient in the garden and loves being out there exploring. She is unusual in that bad weather doesn't phase her. She is the hardiest whippet I have had. They can be a bit 'shivery'.

I'm a big fan, but I think people do have 'their' dogs so you will get a lot of different opinions.

(I can honestly say I have never had a whippet who played in an aggressive way. I have however, had a whippet attacked by a greyhound and another one attacked by a cocker-poo. The whippet was on the lead at the time and the cockerpoo just jumped him. So I think there are stories for any dog really.)

@MrsAntiSocial

I think there’s a bit of minimising re play here with the faces and terminology; ‘a bit scary’.

My dog has been on the receiving end of whippet play and she was absolutely terrified.
Bear in mind she’s easily twice the size and fast enough to match their speed, possibly outrun.

‘A bit scary’ doesn’t really cover it.
She was relentlessly chased, body slammed, pinned on the floor and nipped.

It may have been ‘play’ but the damage was lasting.

I don't think posters are minimising, they're being realistic. Rough play is very common with whippets - I understand your dog didn't like it, but that doesn't stop it being play, and it also reinforces the point that PP have made - that if you own a dog who plays like that, you need to be aware of other dogs disliking it and be able to call your dog off if necessary.

It's also worth mentioning that plenty of other dogs also play in a similar way - I'm a dog walker and on my books I have a beagle, a husky, a cairn terrier, collies and spaniels who all love a bit of "bitey face" and rough play.

Others don't, and that's fine, so I split the walks appropriately so that no dogs need to feel harassed or bothered by them.

Thanks for this - it's great to hear really balanced opinions.

I have got the image of bitey little tornados now 😁

No bitey tornado here! Yes they are wilful and not always great at recall, they can also be quite good at thieving - our youngest one is very skilled at extricating anything from the bin, taking it to bed and making sure it’s properly clean!

They are very affectionate, (the joy that greets me every morning is so uplifting) and lovely little dogs. Until you own one it’s hard to see the attraction I think.

Pointy faced arseholes.

My bitch is the snappiest mouthiest aggressive little cow ever.

My dog (pictured), well....the word doofus was invented for him. No rough play at all, but christ will he play chase.

Gosh, I don't recognise the snappy bitey behaviour on here at all. Maybe I just got lucky with my whippets. When I was researching dogs before we got our first, I wanted a non-smelly, quiet, gentle breed and whippet came top.

With my new pup I can honestly say she's been a joy. I have not had any puppy blues or find it stressful at all. We adore her. She is snoozing at my feet now (well, she did wake up at 8.30 and had a play in the snowy garden so of course she must be exhausted, right!)