Whippet
Other names: English Whippet, Snap Dog

Gentle, affectionate, and well-rounded, the Whippet is a medium-sized sighthound with a short coat. Discrete and sensitive, it’s a dog one needs to learn to understand in order to seamlessly communicate with it. Respect and goodwill are key in obtaining this dog’s cooperation, and once he is fully at ease, he will reveal himself to be an exceptional life companion. Active, enduring, and much more robust than his appearance may lead you to think, this sighthound must be taken in by available owners, ready to meet his need for regular outings.
Key facts about the Whippet
Origins and history
His origins go back more or less a century, since the Whippet was officially recognised by the UK Kennel Club in 1900. The first specimens actually saw the light of day in the 17th century. This breed probably descends from a cross between a Fox Terrier and Bull Terrier, and according to some other sources, the Italian Greyhound. The sighthound reportedly owes its name to the old English expressions ‘whip up’ or ‘whip it’, signifying ‘fast as lighting’. These expressions would be used by English miners as commands, aimed at encouraging the hounds to chase for hares, or during races.
FCI breed nomenclature
FCI Group
Group 10 - Sighthounds
Section
Section 3 : Short-haired Sighthounds
Physical characteristics of the Whippet
Adult size
Female : Between 17 and 19 in
Male : Between 19 and 20 in
Weight
Female : Between 20 and 35 lb
Male : Between 20 and 35 lb
Coat colour
All colours and colour combinations are admissible.
Type of coat
The coat is short.
The coat is thin and close-lying.
Eye colour
They are generally brown, and their respective shades adapt to the coat’s colour.
Description
The Whippet is a dog of powerful muscular constitution, exuding a balanced strength that renders him elegant and graciously built. The head is long, lean, flat in the upper part, with a rather wide distance between both eyes; it tapers down along the muzzle. The eyes are shiny, and very lively. The ears are small, of a fine texture, and rose-shaped. The thorax is deep, the stomach tucked in. The limbs are long, lean and muscular. The tail is long, thin, worn slightly curled over when in movement.
Good to know
He used to be dubbed the ‘snap dog’, which is a nickname that suits the ever-dynamic Whippet pup very well.