Any thoughts on whippets?

[Doggy Mommy]

Hi all, lurker here. Many years ago I posted on the old board asking about adopting. Cookie was the most amazing dog. She passed away in December and we're still heartbroken, but we're starting to think about getting another dog. 

We've been to the dumb friends league and other rescues. It was crazy... they were packed with people and people were practically fighting over who got which dog. We went to 3 greyhound meet-ups. They're sweet and wonderful, and we were tempted to put our names on the wait list. But in the end DH wasn't as excited about a greyhound as I was. He wants a smaller hound. 

Now we're talking about whippets. We both absolutely adore whippets! We found a very reputable breeder (a veterinarian and behaviorist couple). They usually have about one litter a year, but this year they have two litters expected in May. We're thinking of getting on the wait list. They cost a fortune, but I'm confident that they are extremely responsible breeders. 

Aside from the challenges of training a puppy (Cookie was about 3 when we adopted her and perfectly behaved, though I took her to training classes anyway), anyone have any thoughts on whippets, good or bad? Some info about us... I'm a teacher and DH works from home (and doesn't always have a contract to work on) and no kids, so puppy will have lots of attention. We walked Cookie twice a day until she wasn't able to any more, and I ran with her for years, so getting exercise isn't an issue. I really want a walk/run buddy. We have a fenced yard, but the back fence is shorter than the other sides, about 4 feet. We have never had a puppy. 

Thank you for sharing any thoughts!

[cmeon]

I'm sorry about Cookie- it's so hard to lose a pup! Whippets are definitely not the first breed I'd pick if babies are in the near future- but, they're not a bad breed at all.

Please don't write off rescues entirely from a bad experience or two- rescue events ARE pretty crazy, but, adopting from a rescue "the normal way" (via an application, home visit/meet and greet) is pretty awesome.

As far as your breeder goes, WHY do they breed- do they show? Race or do other events with their dogs? They can be the nicest people on the planet, but, if they don't have a darn good reason to breed, they shouldn't be.

[Deleted]

Whippets are NOT greyhounds. Somewhere in their lineage they were crossbred with terriers. While their appearance is similar to a greyhound, whippets are far spunkier and bouncier. They're also probably more intelligent than your average grey. If you want the calm, laid back couch potato, you aren't going to find that in a whippet puppy. You wouldn't find it in a greyhound puppy either fwiw. I have a smallish female grey, she's just shy of 60lbs and love all sight hounds. I'm not anti breeder so long as you've done your homework and know they're reputable. Just know that a whippet is not going to be like a small greyhound. If you like the greyhound temperament, work with the rescue to test out some small females. Friends of ours have two girls who are around ~ 50lbs each. I've seen females in the mid-40lb range too.

[Doggy Mommy]

We adopted Cookie from a rescue and of course it worked out beautifully. We may look again but we also really like whippets. :-) It wasn't an adoption event.. we just went to a couple rescues last weekend. I'm glad so many people are adopting and always thought we would adopt again, but now I'm not sure.

No plans to have kids so that shouldn't be an issue. They breed them for show dogs and agility contests or whatever they're called? Their blog is filled with their former pups with awards and videos and whatnot.

[tacokick]

We have a whippet. She is very mellow. In my experience whippets do not like walks. She (and her litter mates) liked running around in a fenced in area but did not like walks at all. They are sprinters so she'd jog around the yard a bit and then nap for hours. They also can be escape artists and easily distracted by squirrels, birds, rats etc and will run off to chase things. It is very hard to catch them when this happens. I would not want to train a whippet and have a small child to worry about at the same time.

[cmeon]

Apr 23, 2015 15:30:02 GMT -5 Doggy Mommy said:

We adopted Cookie from a rescue and of course it worked out beautifully. We may look again but we also really like whippets. :-) It wasn't an adoption event.. we just went to a couple rescues last weekend. I'm glad so many people are adopting and always thought we would adopt again, but now I'm not sure.

No plans to have kids so that shouldn't be an issue. They breed them for show dogs and agility contests or whatever they're called? Their blog is filled with their former pups with awards and videos and whatnot.

That's awesome- sounds like good folk to get a puppy from. I agree, though- they are definitely a handful, especially as puppies! We know one who was constantly climbing over baby gates, even tall ones- they're clever and seem pretty easy to train, though.

I personally like the calmer nature of the larger sight hounds- we know a pair of ibizans that are just amazing dogs, and of course greys are so easily lovable. But, whippets seem like a very fun breed- very snuggley.