Whippet: the Ideal of the Dog

“The sighthounds don’t show their emotions” – this does not correspond to Whippets. “The sighthounds are not always obedient, as they tend to be rather free minded” – this is not about Whippets either. Whippets are the most affectionate among the whole sighthound family. Whippet fancy calls them the Ideal of the Dog.

Made in England
Whippets seem to be quite popular all over the world. Unlike the other sighthound breeds, Whippets are the result of considerably late selection – a result of English breeders of XIX Century. They have a blood of Greyhounds, terriers and Italian greyhounds. Even though the hare hunting with sighthounds used to be a common thing, the purpose of this breed was different from the very beginning – it was a sport! Whippets appeared as soon as the workers of northern and central Shires of Great Britain got interested in dog racing. Aristocratic races of Greyhounds was not something these people could afford and therefore they started holding the simple competitions of their own dogs. Despite of their small size, Whippets approved to be ardent and quick. They are able to compete with the fastest dogs in the world. In 1891 Whippet breed was recognized by official cynologican organizations and these sightounds were finally allowed to participate in dog shows within England. In 1897 Cruft’s you could already see numerous admirers of Whippets outside the ring they were exhibited.

The passion of race and the royal attitude
They are lovely and friendly. They get along with anybody. The Whippets give an impression of the muscular fit little athlete. Their sound free movement matches their elegance. It is the standard of harmony! This is the reason why they become the winners of races so often. Whippets are always in a nice mood and truly have a sweet temper, however they will never slave away. You can hardly find a singe Whippet living in a family, as having bought one and found out the charm of this graceful dog, people usually decide to have a few more. However you must have enough patience and tenderness to nurture them properly. They cannot stand any angry shout, they feel a mood of a human being perfectly. The worst punishment for a Whippet may be a strict voice of the owner.

The care and maintenance
Despite of the fact that Whippet may look delicate and sensitive, he has a strong health and is rarely ill. It is a shortcoated dog and you just need him to brush occasionally, not to forget to cut the nails from time to time. Alike other sighthounds, Whippet does not have any specipic scent. It loves the warmth and comfort and it is of course indoor living dog. In the winter time it is recommended to have them wear some warm wraps. Those, who think that Whippets need lots of special training, are wrong actually, as daily physical exercises, playing, running free outside are enough to get rid of the energy and stay fit like any other dogs of the same size.

Whippets abroad
They are popular in the US, Scandinavian countries, France and of course in Great Britain. There are Whippets of two types: the racing type and show type. Racing Whippets are more muscular and tight whereas show whippets look more sophisticated. Show Whippets rarely win the races as well as racing Whippet rarely wins at the shows. Show Whippets again can be of two main types – English and American (they have elegant long details, but are bigger in size), so trends of fashion are being created by English and American breed enthusiasts. One of the most remarkable kennel in the US are Bohem, Starline, Sporting field, Whipoor-vill and Avalonia in Canada, Rivarco in Italy, Statuesque in Australia, Du Sac a Malices and Du Manoir de la Grenouillere in France, Frontrunner’s in Denmark, Airescot in Sweden, Dumbriton, Nevedith, Pencloe in England.

The first Whippets in Lithuania…
The first Whippets appeared in Lithuania in 1995. Two bitches – Bynkemarken’s CHRISTINA Bynkemarken’s KRINOLINE – were imported from Denmark by Mrs. Esmeralda Dzidzeviciene and the bitch ANNA JAGIELLONKA Lazarus was imported from Poland by Mrs. Monika Tauraseviciene. They all became Lithuanian champions. At the moment we have a few top winning whippets here in Lithuania and all over the Baltic states – MY BLUE ANGEL Romantika (International, Lithuanian, Latvian, Estonian, Baltic, Russian, Bielorussian Champion, #1 Sighthound 2002 and 2003) and BLAND BAKS Diomeda (International, Lithuanian, Latvian, Estonian, Baltic, Russia, Bielorussian Champion, #2 Sighthound in 2002 and 2003) owned by Ms. Asta Simonelyte, MY HOPE Romantika (Lithuanian and Latvian Champion, #3 Sighthound in 2002). The new generation of Lithuanian bred Whippets looks very promising as well.

In 2002 the small band of enthusiasts has revived the activity of Lithuanian Sighthound Club who have always had a goal to unite the local fancy and organize the specialty shows. One of the newest projets is the establishment of the lure coursing. We stringly believe that this novelty in our country could enlarge the crowd of sighthound fanciers.

The standard*

ORIGIN: Great Britain.
GENERAL APPEARANCE: Balanced combination of muscular power and strength with elegance and grace of outline. Built for speed and work. All forms of exaggeration should be avoided.
TEMPERAMENT: An ideal companion. Highly adaptable in domestic and sporting surroundings. Gentle, affectionate, even disposition.
HEAD
CRANIAL REGION:
Skull: Long and lean, flat on top, tapering to muzzle, rather wide between the eyes.
Stop: Slight.
FACIAL REGION:
Nose: Black, in blues a bluish colour permitted, in livers a nose of the same colour, in white or parti-colours a butterfly nose permissible.
Jaws/Teeth: Jaws strong, powerful and clean cut with a perfect scissor bite, i.e. the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Eyes: Oval, bright, expression very alert.
Ears: Rose shaped, small, fine in texture.
NECK: Long, muscular, elegantly arched.
BODY:
Back: Broad, firm, somewhat long, showing definite arch over loin but not humped.
Loin: Giving impression of strength and power.
Chest: Very deep with plenty of heart room, brisket deep, well defined. Ribs well sprung, muscled on back.
TAIL: No feathering. Long, tapering, when in action carried in a delicate curve upward but not over back.
LIMBS
FOREQUARTERS: Forelegs straight and upright, front not too wide.
Shoulders: Oblique and muscular; blades carried up to top of spine, where they are clearly defined.
Elbows: Set well under body.
Pasterns: Strong with slight spring.
HINDQUARTERS: Strong. Dog able to stand over a lot of ground and show great driving power.
Thighs: Broad across.
Stifles: Well bent.
Second thighs: Well developed.
Hock : Well let down.
FEET: Very neat, well split up between toes, knuckles well arched, pads thick and strong.
MOVEMENT: Free, hindlegs coming well under body for propulsion. Forelegs thrown well forward low over the ground, true coming and going. General movement not to look stilted, high stepping, short or mincing.
COAT
HAIR: Fine, short, close in texture.
COLOUR: Any colour or mixture of colours.
SIZE: Height at the withers : Dogs 47-51 cm (18 1/2 - 20 ins).
Bitches 44-47 cm (17 1/2 - 18 1/2 ins).

Why a Whippet?
Mrs. Monika Tauraseviciene, the president of Lithuanian Sighthound Club and the owner of Whippet kennel “Romantika”, has been involved in dog scene for 19 years. Having started from Standard Poodles, she devoted about 12 years already for the Whippets exclusively: “I have only adored the look of a Whippet until I got acquainted with this breed. It seems like to you watch the live little ancient sculptures. The shape is close to perfection: graceful, beautifully arched. It is easy to take these dogs away, go on a trip, show, visit the friends. When we are not so busy, we spend more time with them walking, training outside. It is a pleasure to watch them playing together. After the play time they always go to have a rest together. Whippets are very friendly. They loves our little daughter. Overall they knows how to behave in all situations of life – we have never had to embarrass for them. These dogs are suitable for elder people as well. It is said that they have some therapeutical features, especially if you have any problems with blood pressure, headache. Otherwise the sportive person who loves jogging on weekends and active lifestyle overall would be the most adorable owner for the Whippet. Not to forget to add they are intelligent. What could we want more?"

By Monika Tauraseviciene

ANNA JAGIELLONKA Lazarus and Aukse

This article was publiched by "Didysis Suo" magazine in 2003 year (nr. 3).
* Standard by www.fci.be