Whippet

The Whippet is an athletic British sighthound developed during the nineteenth century to pursue hares and compete in straight-track sprint races.

Working-class miners and mill laborers across northern England created the dog by crossing smaller Greyhounds with various local terriers and Italian Greyhounds. The result was a swift, efficient hunting animal capable of chasing game through fields and racing on short courses. Enthusiasts historically referred to the breed as the poor man's racehorse because working families could maintain it economically. The Kennel Club granted official recognition to the breed in 1891, after which racing clubs and show registries spread the dog across North America and mainland Europe.

Classified under Group 10, Sighthounds, by the Federation Cynologique Internationale, the Whippet pairs great acceleration with a balanced silhouette. Adult males stand 47-51 cm (18.5-20 in) at the shoulder, while females measure 44-47 cm (17.5-18.5 in), typically weighing between 9-19 kg (20-42 lb). The coat is short, fine, and flat to the body, appearing in any recognized color or blended pattern. Standards describe its temperament as gentle, affectionate, calm, and highly adaptable in domestic quarters, paired with intense focus during pursuit.

Grooming involves occasional brushing with a hound glove and regular nail trims. The low body fat and thin single coat require warm apparel during cold or rainy conditions. Whippets benefit from fenced sprint sessions and daily leashed walks, combined with comfortable bedding to prevent pressure sores. Documented hereditary issues include heart murmurs, mitral valve disease, autoimmune thyroiditis, and eye anomalies such as progressive retinal atrophy.