Breeds similar to a whippet?

[paobao9]

Are there any other short-haired (aka low maintenance grooming wise) breeds similar to whippets in that they're gentle, family-friendly, small to medium sized, and not too demanding in terms of exercise?

I want something not too big or heavy, friendly with other people and dogs (I know that's training-based but still) and happy with an hour's walk a day, sometimes longer at the weekend. Fun in the garden with kids of varying ages but no tiny kids. and visiting family members, friends, etc.

I had a whippet growing up so I'm not sure if I'm biased towards them and there's actually something similar that may be better for my family.

Why not a whippet?

There are 4 Italian greyhounds and whippets (a couple are a mix of both) in my family. They all either live with or regularly see children ranging from 10 months to 9 years. They're all good family dogs.

Lurcher-all the lazy loveliness of a whippet but not the pedigree problems and price.

If you love Whippets, I would just go for one of those or perhaps a small Lurcher? (Places like EGLR and Lurcher Link don’t have a blanket no-children rule for their rescues, they are assessed on a case by case basis.)

BUT, if you just want to consider a few different options, maybe have a look at English Toy Terriers - . They can have a tendency to be a bit reserved with new people, but this is easily overcome with careful socialisation and there are a few that are now Pets as Therapy Dogs visiting hospitals and care homes.

I may be a little bit biased, but they are characterful, clever, full of fun and very loving and cuddly. Like Whippets they are single coated with short, minimally shedding fur, so coat are is really easy. They had Italian Greyhound bred into their lines many moons ago, so they are similar in shape and are sooo fast.

They are one of our oldest breeds but, sadly, now on the British Native Vulnerable Breeds list and the club is doing everything it can to raise awareness of these amazing little dogs that most people have never even heard of.

Yeah it's just about considering options really. I love whippets but wouldn't mind something a little bit smaller. Basically I just want to make sure I've looked at every possibility before I make the big decision.

I tried googling it and every single result is just other hounds that LOOK like whippets, rather than anything about breeds with similar traits or behaviours.

Yep, a small lurcher or Bedlington/ Whippet lurcher. I am fostering a B/W lurcher puppy at the moment and she is absolutely cracking - bright enough to train easily, loves playing fetch, a bit more robust than a straight whippet, cuddly and loving, and she'll enjoy decent walks. And once she can go for a proper walk next week won't be quite as mad as a box of frogs either

@paobao9 Our starting point was to get a Whippet (after several Lurchers) but in the end we decided we wanted something a bit smaller this time, which is how we ended up with an ETT.

I have to say, having a dog that is more portable has been a pleasant surprise. So much easier to do cafe’s, pubs and even hotels with a little one, yet he’s not ‘Chihuahua’ tiny or ‘Italian Greyhound’ breakable. People often comment that he looks like a big dog that has been miniaturised, rather than a small dog, which is an amazingly accurate description. I love that they are unexaggerated in shape and tend to be very healthy too.

When we first came across them I remember having a chat with his breeder about how similar they are to sighthounds in lots of ways, in that they love nothing better than snuggling up under a blanket and aren’t keen on rain unless suitably attired! They love to snuggle with you as well and make wonderful hot water bottles and bed warmers, so can even save you money on your energy bills!

Bedlington terrier would fit the bill , or if you want to go smaller and chunkier a cairn or Norfolk terrier .

That description would have fitted my last standard shorthaired dachshund perfectly - it does depend on the character of the individual dog. Exercise anything from nothing if it was raining hard to Lake District mountains.

I met an ETT a couple of years ago - absolutely gorgeous, I'd imagine quite hard to get one though?

@ErrolTheDragon there are around 95-100 bred a year, although they are trying hard to get the numbers up to stop the breed dying out.

I waited two years, but that was because we weren’t ready. In the meantime I spent time online in the breed community, learned a lot about them and built up a relationship with a lovely breeder, who fortunately was having a litter a few months after we lost our old boy and by then knew we were the type of home she wanted for her pups.

He was worth the wait though, it’s like he morphs himself to suit each member of the family. He’s definitely my boy, but has a close relationship with everyone individually as well. He’s spent most of today avoiding the torrential rain by hiding under his favourite blanket, snoozing with his head jammed behind me on the sofa or sleeping curled up on my lap. Such a clever little lad, he learns things so quickly. He’s only 7 months old, but we are already muttering about how lovely it would be for him to have another ETT to race around with, even though we were adamant we weren’t going to have more than one dog again.

The only problem we’ve had with him was that he was having problems digesting the food he was on (Wolfworthy, so multiple protein sources). We thought he was anxious, because he was shaking a lot and seemed to lose confidence, but it turned out his poor stomach was hurting (we felt terrible for not realising that’s what it was at first). Switched him onto a fish based kibble and he hasn’t looked back, back to fun loving poopy mode like someone had flicked a switch.

Manchester terriers and ETTs seem like they'd be good for us but not really available where we live.

I guess whippets are just the best haha

@paobao9
If you love Whippets, Get thee a Whippet ( Via the breed club, who may introduce you to a trusted “breeder’’
Don’t go buy from online ads.

Whippets are wonderful-
Mine is sleepin next to me now, like a cat, and wherever she goes, people say “ What a well behaved dog”..
But Whippets just do tend to be well mannered dogs.

Advantages:
Calm, Quiet, easy to keep clean, small enough to curl up on your knee on public transport ( If needed)

Disadvantages: They tend to bond very closely with their people, do can get Separation anxiety.

Lurchers are superb- We had a lovely RSPCA one suggested to us as a “ Suitable match” by manager of Dog’s home.
I wasn’t after someone so small , young, thin and depressed looking- I had seen her on our way in and she came up to say hello, her little toes poking through the mesh of her kennel..
I hadn’t even considered her as a match.

When another puppy vigorously mounted her , the poor girl looked so utterly broken ( head drooping low) I said “ We’ll take her”
( Had to have home check)
She was superb. Lived to 12 ( A soulmate)
Of pedigree unknown, she probably had a dash of collie somewhere, as was easy to train and a fast learner.
Had a huge need for exercise, which she got.

Lurchers tend to be more in need of thorough exercise than Whippets, of course, depending on the cross.
She could walk 16 miles and still be up for more walks in the evening-

A 100 %Whippet isn’t usually as demanding as a collie cross Lurcher.

A lurcher. Gorgeous dogs

We have matching Lurchers..
Best girls ever..

@CMOTDibbler Your Foster sounds superb.
Our Whippet’s best mate is a Whippet/Beddy, her coat is more weatherproof than a purebred Whippet, a lovely, gentle girl.
Intelligent and sweet natured.
That’s a lovely cross⭐️💕

Gorgeous!
A fine Brace!💕

They love a camera!

I have a smaller lurcher - such a lovely girl! Don't write off lurchers - you can get smaller ones!

Not of any help to the OP but I met another beautiful ETT a few days ago.

Oh dear lord @Santagiveyoursackawash my ovaries! What beauties. Showing my ignorance here, i thought lurchers were always rough-coated? (I do kind of love that scruffy look too, mind you.)

What about a Manchester terrier? we have one in the neighbourhood and he is lovely and a bit smaller than a Whippet

I immediately thought of the ETT or Manchester terrier (probably a bit biased given that I'm going to have an ETT pup very soon!)

Whippets do really vary in size so perhaps looks for a line that is smaller? Females tend to be smaller than males too usually so that could be an option?

But yes, do not make the mistake of thinking a smaller dog that looks like a whippet is like a whippet. I am thinking here obviously of the Italian Greyhound. They are very much NOT like a whippet in temperament or ease. (I have had both).

(So yeah, basically you want a whippet!)