Whippet

Whippet

Photo courtesy of Rick Kurpershoek

There seems to be no doubt that the Whippet and Greyhound are derived from the same ancient stock  Although the origin of the Whippet is unsure some historians conclude simply: "The Whippet is a small dog of great antiquity of the Greyhound type" and leave it at that. The Whippet's speed is legendary, 200 yards in twelve seconds is not uncommon, and Whippet racing became a popular sport among the working class in the North of England. The Whippet should be a dog of moderate size, very alert, that can cover a maximum distance with a minimum amount of effort. The ideal height should be 19 - 22 inches (48 - 56 cm) for dogs and 18 - 21 inches (46 - 53 cm) for bitches.

Further information on the Whippet is available from the Canadian Kennel Club or the American Kennel Club.

Return


Updated: October 14, 2014