Whippets

[Lifeisnteasy]

Looking for general whippet reviews please, particularly those of you who have whippets and small children. Many thanks!

Our whippet is so soppy. Puts up with so much from my 6 year old. Although they will play fight together. I'm convinced he thinks my son is a pup. My youngest is 3 and whippet is great with her too. Mostly sleeps next to her. This whippet is the softest dog I've ever known. I never trust dogs, but I pretty much do fully trust our whippet with them.

Downsides - when he goes crazy running fast in the garden or on a walk he will often run towards my youngest. No idea why - not aggressive at all, but he has knocked her over when smaller and we hadn't expected it.

Contrary to comment above - we haven't been able to toilet train him. He goes everywhere in the house and won't go outside at all in the rain despite any number of jumpers/coats.

He chews things a lot - including my sofa.

@Mundra we have chickens. Was excited at first trying to dig his way in, but mostly ignores them now. They stay in their fenced off section though, I wouldn't trust him with them out their run.

Thanks cloudchaos

Ive got chickens that are free range in the garden and my whippet is fine with them - never an issue

Got ours with a 7, 9 and 11 year old. Absolutely fine. We took him to puppy training and got all the kids involved. But not a chewer or a biter of any note. Recently got a cat and he’s been fine with him too - now nearly 8. All puppies and kids should be watched.

Best dogs ever, I may be a bit bias though don't sell, barely bark, don't shed, great with kids she is on a rotation sleeping with the kids as they all want to sleep with her.

They aren't the best at recall when off lead and can be a bit jumpy and excitable at times esp when puppies but overall very good with kids. Mine has never bit or even mouthed at any of us even as a puppy.

We have a whippet / Italian greyhound Cross and a small child.
One whippet trait can be aggressive play.
They prefer childless homes as I understand

How small are the small children ? We have a 4 month whippet. My children are 9 and 12, but the 9 yr old has SEN so is 'younger'. Puppy is very loving but is very bitey. She is like a flying shark but there is absolutely zero aggression to it. She is amazing with small children and other dogs.. very gentle but when playing at home she is pretty rough at times. She is however brilliant at anticipating and defusing the 9 yr olds meltdowns, and will just snuggle him into submission. I trust her FAR more with my kids than our last dog who was a reactive lab.

@Rekorderlig88

We have a whippet / Italian greyhound Cross and a small child. One whippet trait can be aggressive play. They prefer childless homes as I understand

Our whippet LOVES the children... she definitely would prefer a childless home. She was bred in a lovely family home with a toddler though.

Sorry... WOULDN'T prefer a childless home !

@Didiplanthis

How small are the small children ? We have a 4 month whippet. My children are 9 and 12, but the 9 yr old has SEN so is 'younger'. Puppy is very loving but is very bitey. She is like a flying shark but there is absolutely zero aggression to it. She is amazing with small children and other dogs.. very gentle but when playing at home she is pretty rough at times. She is however brilliant at anticipating and defusing the 9 yr olds meltdowns, and will just snuggle him into submission. I trust her FAR more with my kids than our last dog who was a reactive lab.

DD is an only & nearly 3. She’s a very gentle 3 year old, not really into rough play & is very cautious around other people’s dogs. She has a good understanding so if we asked her not to do something or to be gentle, she would understand.

How long does the bitey puppy stage generally go on for?

We have whippets in the family - they are great with children and other animals. Even the mad ones. Really gentle and lazy but they like comfort and peace when they are tired to escape to.

I honestly had scratches and bite marks all over my hands and forearms for a good few months. Had to wear long sleeves and shoes at all times - for months. We also had the mad flying through the air with no warning and jumping at our faces. For months. She's calmer now at 7 months than she was. But still has her moments!

It was short lived but fierce here, very scary coming into the kitchen for breakfast for a couple of weeks. Full on velociraptor. The kids went from loving her to wishing we hadn't got a puppy I'd say she was about three/four months old at the worst of it. She grew out of it almost overnight though and they love her again, apart from the food stealing...

And O.M. G. the stealing! Ours is like a Dickensian pickpocket! Quick as a flash, stealthy as a ninja

But they are the BEST!

We've had ours for about 6 years now, was a rescue dog but pretty young, and our children have grown up alongside - the most gentle, silly, funny but mainly calm dog, a pleasure to surrender the sofa to!

Thank you @Genevie82

My 9 year old twins have ASD are emotionally about 6. One copes well the other is struggling with her. She is 4.5 months. We have to wear long sleeves and shoes all the time too. Its not helped as her lower canines are at odd angles currently s they are coming out and really catch. Honestly I think I would struggle with a 3 year old. She may be gentle the puppy won't be for a good few months. I would worry about your dd being scared of her. The flying face leaps freak me out !

Having said that. I'm the only one covered in bites and scratches.. she is gentler with the children and my anxious one is always supervised with her but it means our house has baby gates at almost every door.