What is it really like
to own a Whippet?
While I think Whippets are absolutely the best dogs in the world, and truly one of the easiest breeds to live with, no breed of dog is perfect. Here are some things that sometimes present a problem:
| Chewing - ALL puppies
chew, whether big, small, purebred or mixed breed. Most Whippet puppies are chewing
machines. This usually starts to taper off at around 12-18 months of age , although an
occasional Whippet takes a little longer to get it out of his/her system.The damage can be
minimized by providing the pup with plenty of safe doggy chew toys, giving the puppy
plenty of exercise and attention so it isn't bored, keeping valuable items out of the
puppy's reach, and most importantly, supervision. If you leave a puppy alone in your
house, you will probably not have much of a house left to return to. Crate training will
help keep your pup out of trouble when you are gone and will aid in the housebreaking
process, also. Boundless energy - Whippet puppies like to tear around your house or yard at breakneck speed. While they don't do it constantly, they DO like to run. By the age of about a year or a year and a half, most of them are content with a couple brief but intense play sessions a day and will spend the rest of their time lounging on the sofa. In general, Whippets who live with other dogs are more active than "only dogs". Separation anxiety - Whippets have a tremendous desire for companionship and will bond very strongly to their owners. There are some Whippets, however, that become extremely anxious and upset when left alone and will cry, chew, drool, and attempt to escape their surroundings. These behaviors sometimes occur when a young puppy goes to his/her new home and will diminish rapidly. Occasionally, however, such problems persist and can be seen in the adult Whippet. A program of "desensitization" - leaving the dog for very short periods and gradually lengthening the time as the dog is able to tolerate it - will usually be effective. Some think the tendency towards this problem runs in certain bloodlines. In general, though, I very strongly believe that if you are gone most of the time, Whippets are not the breed for you. Get a cat or a goldfish instead. Jumping and leaping - Whippets have the ability to scale great heights - I have seen a few sail effortlessly over 6 foot fences. A few Whippets seem to do this habitually, just for fun. Others do it if left alone outside for long periods. Some never do. For these and other reasons, it is unwise to leave your Whippet - or any dog, for that matter - outside in the yard when you are not home. In any case, Whippets are not "outside dogs" - they get lonely and bored, and due to the lack of fur or fat for insulation are rather susceptible to heat or cold. |
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