Whippets are known to be affectionate, playful and calm, and they prefer being house dogs. The whippet may also start shaking uncontrollably and may take some time to calm down or stop the shaking. The one I found from your link is only 15 miles away and is much cheaper than I expected. They are not edgy nor nervous by nature, but if they see something to chase, they're off! Like most grown up whippets, my girls have 2 … Whippet Dog Breed - Temperament. This will also help prevent them from being anxious or aggravating their anxiety. All rights reserved. Nitrous oxide found in small metal cannisters used in refillable whipped cream cannisters. The Beagle and the Whippet do have similar temperaments, which makes it wonderfully easy for us to tell you how your Whippet Beagle mix may behave! If I was considering a Whippet, I would be most concerned about... See if there is a dog club in your area that offers an activity called lure coursing, which is chasing a mechanical lure in a controlled setting. There is a FB group which lists them. The Whippet is a Sight Hound, originally bred to run fast and chase game. I realise this is most likely due to his age and is something we will grow out of but is there anything we can do to try and calm this down or stop this now? When this begins depends on growth rate, personality, level of training and home life. The Whippet is calm and affectionate, with an amiable disposition. They Get Cold. In temperament, Whippets are known as calm, affectionate, playful dogs. It’s quite normal for whippets to have a lot of energy, they have small bodies with large muscles and love to let off steam by running. They have a low percentage of body fat and a thin coat so they do not make good kennel dogs. Give your whippet plenty of love, hugs, inside time and walks. There are, however, a few things that can affect a Whippet’s quality of life that Whippet owners should be aware of. I've been searching for one since we got our pair of lurchers 7 months ago and was beginning to think there were none in scotland. If you invite a Whippet into your household, though, you will have to make sure that he gets enough exercise – about an hour or two in any given day. They'll still get into edible stuff if you leave it out, all their lives. The Houston SPCA explains that most puppies become fully able to use all of their senses and start to play with their littermates at around three to four weeks old. Subscribe to Mumsnet emails direct to your inbox. In order to predict when your puppy may calm down, it's helpful to understand how puppies grow, both physically and mentally. Whippets are one of the fastest domesticated dog breeds of their height. Sometimes it's easier to train your puppy (or adult dog) when you can see the correct training techniques in action. Should you consider a Whippet if you have young children? in an excited voice. 1. The Whippet is actually a very old breed, having been recognized by the AKC in 1888. Richtea83 Fri 20-Jan-17 11:49:14. Copyright © 2000-2020 by Michele Welton. The area must be fenced, for this racy breed is the fastest dog of his weight: he can run up to 35 mph. Puppies are always a challenge, and whippetare very high energy even for puppies. We're hoping that it's at about 12 years old. Both breeds are members of the sighthound  family, which hunts prey animals (rats, rabbits, etc.) Whippets do not tend to climb fences, they are marvelous jumpers and can be escape artists but as far as I know they are not especially keen on fence climbing. Whippets are inveterate thieves. Dog training videos. Probably if whippets could express their preferences, they would put at the top of their "favorite friends list" first loving humans, then other whippets, sighthounds and finally other dogs. When you call him, act goofy at the same time by jumping up and down, shuffling your feet, or waving your arms around. I recommend these dog training videos that are based on respect and leadership. That being said, a whippet left alone for long stretches or without exercise can lose its calm and eat through the curtains and couch. Good luck with your boy! See All of Michele's Best-Selling Dog Books, 11 Things You Must Do Right To Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy, Homemade Dog Food Delivered To Your House, Puppy Training Schedule: What To Teach, and When, Solve Behavior Problems By Teaching Your Dog To Respect You, Looks like a medium-sized Greyhound, with a slender, elegant, racy build and a graceful, lightfooted gait, Has a sleek easy-care coat that comes in many colors, Indoors, is quiet and dignified, undemanding and unobtrusive, Outdoors, is playful and athletic and gallops with breathtaking speed, Is polite with everyone, including other dogs, Providing a safe enclosed area where he can occasionally gallop, Strong instincts to chase other living creatures that run, Fearfulness and timidity when not socialized enough, An independent "what's in it for me?" Share The Whippet is extremely fast, capable of reaching speeds up to 35 mph. He just has such an obsession with other dogs, there's been a few times I've let him off thinking there was no one else around only for him to go hurtling off into the distance in pursuit of another dog. If you are considering getting a whippet, you need to carefully consider whether or not you can offer the best possible environment for this breed. Whippets are friendly, affectionate, and calm. The problem is that most dog training videos on the internet are worthless, because they use the wrong training method. Oh and he's normally barking and on his hind legs by this point. The Whippet is a very active, athletic breed that tends to be very healthy, especially compared to other purebred dogs. They’re accepting with new people, but are prone to extreme shyness. Whippet races usually took place on a straight track that spread down roads and across fields. attitude toward training, Emotional sensitivity to stress and abrupt changes in schedule, You can avoid some negative traits by choosing an ADULT dog from an, If you want a puppy, you can avoid some negative traits by choosing the, Finally, you can avoid some negative traits by. Whippets are notorious for their love of running, affectionate nature and being all-round amazing pets. That's a bit far for us (we're in North London) - especially as he's sick pretty much every time he gets in the car (even a 2 minute journey!). However, the crazy puppy days do subside, and dogs begin to mellow as they mature. My boy is 9 months old, he's an angel in the house but out of the house it's a different story. Whippet puppies can be mischievous and destructive, but adults are calm, undemanding, and unobtrusive indoors, trotting around with a light-footed easy grace and seldom making a peep. These sensitive dogs often feel overwhelmed by the loud voices and quick movements that children can't help making – and stress and shyness may be the result. Allow your Whippet to wander at least ten feet away from you on the long leash. The Whippet possesses a lean body with long legs, enabling it to run at a very high pace to cover a lot of ground within a very short time with the smallest amount of energy expended. All of my whippets have stopped their major chewing between 18 months and 2 years of age. In full motion, the Whippet's body is full… More traits and characteristics of the Whippet. Just takes time! Whippets love running games and require short bursts of vigorous exercise each day. These ‘tears’ are rarely destructive; whippets are not given to bodyslamming the bookcase or clearing the coffee table with a sweep of the tail. Why does my Whippet shiver? Nice to know he may eventually calm down! Instead, ensure they feel safe first and foremost and then very gradually and slowly introduce them to situations whilst rewarding calm behaviour. Under-exercised Whippets are known for going on hyperactive "tears" even when indoors: running like bullets through the house, knocking over everything in their paths. Personally I think that the sighthound breeds do best in homes without young children. It is typically administered during dental procedures as an alternative to general anesthesia or other forms of sedation. The nails should be checked and trimmed periodically, but well-exercised dogs will wear them down naturally. Be prepared to have a selection of clothing and warm blankets for these sensitive little dogs. The Whippets would chase a rag or piece of cloth, and the contests became known as rag races. Polite with strangers, the Whippet should be accustomed to people and noises at an early age. He'll settle down eventually. They do insist on the luxury of being up on the furniture, so if this offends you, you shouldn't consider a … He is peaceful with other dogs but has a high prey drive and cannot be trusted with smaller pets. They have a low to the ground pace that is free-moving and vigorous. Whippet temperament, personality, training, behavior, pros and cons, advice, and information, by Michele Welton, Dog Trainer, Behavioral Consultant, Author of 15 Dog Books, The AKC Standard says the Whippet is "amiable, friendly, gentle, but capable of great intensity during sporting pursuits.". It depends on the individual dog and the individual children. Whippets are mildly stubborn, but also very sensitive. Stay calm and collected, if not for yourself, for your whippet. Living Needs The ideal living situation for a whippet, as with most dogs, will include a securely fenced yard—for whippets, this means a fence that is at least 6 feet high because these dogs are extremely agile. When he gets at least ten feet away, then say his name and tell him to "Come!" Thanks so much for that link to dog exercising fields Trionic. I'm going to book a slot for the weekend. When do they calm down?! I always tell prospective owners to get a 2 year old or older. But once he gets older, once you show him where safe and comfortable are, and where play and fun are, he'll turn into a great dog. He probably doesn't get enough off lead time. There it is a pain reliever and can also be administered to calm an anxious patient. You should plan for your Whippet to be a house dog most of the time – or consider a different breed. The same dog who will curl up under the blankets – a perfect couch potato, sleeping for hours – will tear enthusiastically around the yard, darting and zigzagging and turning on a dime without slowing down. Whippets don’t tend to smell, so bathing should be on a need-to-do basis. Like Greyhounds, Whippets feel the cold. Whippets love to have company and are often friendly towards other dogs. More often than not my whippets enjoy a good game of catch with other whippets and sighthounds, while their relationship with other breeds is less predictable. Thanks for the responses. Whippet puppies can be mischievous and destructive, but adults are calm, undemanding, and unobtrusive indoors, trotting around with a light-footed easy grace and seldom making a peep. Whippets are usually calm in the house but most have spells of running and leaping about in play a few times a day. by spotting movement and running the unfortunate animal down blazing speed. A dog's energetic spirit is part of his charm, and he should always keep that smoldering fire throughout life. Their double-suspension gallop and flexible body language enable them to run easily at a speed that is much faster than any other breed. All Whippet found here are from AKC-Registered parents. They favor no… With a calm demeanor (with spurts of energy), an intelligent mind, curious nature, and affection for family, the Beagle Whippet mix does great with children of all ages and loves other household pets. I recommend that you find ways of correcting your whippet without being too harsh so that they can be comfortable with you. So a properly exercised Whippet will be calm and peaceful, and will sleep just fine each night. Temperament and behavior are also shaped by raising and training. Does he go off lead? About the author: Michele Welton has over 40 years of experience as a Dog Trainer, Dog Breed Consultant, and founder of three Dog Training Centers. No part of this website may be copied, displayed on another website, or distributed in any way without permission from the author. He's uncontrollable around other dogs as he just wants to leap on them and chase, he pulls me around all over the place trying to get to every other dog/person we pass. Whippets were initially bred to race and with their 35 miles per hour top speed, it is fair to say they are good at it. They compete in different kinds of amateur racing and lure coursing.They were initially used a lot for a type of racing known as Whippet rags, where owners would entice the whippet at the end of the track by waving a rag for them to jump up and grab. They respond favorably only to calm, upbeat training methods that emphasize praise and food. Hula is an agitated little dog, but learns to stop barking and meet others. Keep in mind that the inheritance of temperament is less predictable than the inheritance of physical traits such as size or shedding. If you do bathe them, try to do it on a warm day and towel dry them in the sun. Have a search for sighthound play groups - they're great for letting unreliable fast dogs off lead in secure locations. An expert researcher and author of 15 books about dogs, she loves helping people choose, train, and care for their dogs. Most sighthounds tend to be touch-sensitive, tending to startle a bit when touched unexpectedly or grabbed for a hug. I hope this little rescued whippet has a second chance and finds a "forever family" soon. At six months they can leap onto your kitchen counters. Or you can hire out secure fields in a suprising number of places. Every so often one takes his fancy and he has a bit of a run, but I think he gets the most pleasure out of chasing his frisbee (or squirrels), so other dogs just lost their attraction. To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account. Do this to get him excited to come to you. I think what he really needs is a big open feild and another sighthound to play with, no way I'm getting another one though. Our whippet would tear around like crazy after every dog in the park until about 18 months old, but after that he really chilled out and now at 5.5years he practically ignores all other dogs, to the point where he pointedly ignores ones that want to play with him. My boy is 9 months old, he's an angel in the house but out of the house it's a different story. Thanks I'll take a look at that. Find Whippet Puppies and Breeders in your area and helpful Whippet information. This leads to a vicious circle of anxiousness. This small, light pup can be a relaxed and friendly companion indoors, and an … A full-grown adult whippet can reach a breakneck speed of 58 km/h. Even if it means driving in the car. The Whippet, of course, looks like a small Greyhound. As a precaution, Whippets should be safely and consistently exposed to new environments, noises, and people during puppyhood and throughout their lives. Whippets are very fast, and can cover a lot of ground very quickly at speeds approaching 35mph. Whippets are very calm and carefree, but they should still be kept on a leash during walks and runs. To use this feature subscribe to Mumsnet Premium - get first access to new features see fewer ads, and support Mumsnet. Whippets are naturally skinny dogs and have a tiny amount of body fat. At five weeks, our Whippet puppies are racing up and down the stairs. So, how fast can a Whippet dog run? Whippets are a quiet and intelligent breed, and do not bark unnecessarily. They do go through an adolescent stage around 8 months (stroppy teenager phase) as their hormones start kicking in. (17 Posts) Add message | Report. The following list will help you decide if a whippet is suitable for your home. If they see a rabbit, a squirrel or anything else of interest, they will be gone in a flash. This is an appropriate outlet for the full-speed galloping behaviors that are "hardwired" into your Whippet's genes. At nine months they can leap from behind the sofa and land on the floor in front of it. As whippets are very in tune with their owners emotions (as with all dogs), an owner's own anxiousness about their dog getting anxious will project onto the dog itself. Used as an inhalant drug to get high. When you love your dog, you want to take your pet with you wherever you go. However Oscar, our whippet charges around and jumps on the other dogs trying to engage them in play fights. Here are a few exercise ideas: Walking: Two 30-minute walks per day is a good target Bathing & Grooming If you want to learn more about Whippets’ speed and which dogs they can outrun, this article will guide you. They do insist on the luxury of being up on the furniture, so if this offends you, you shouldn't consider a sighthound. The Whippet is sweet-natured and docile, yet playful and athletic. 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People choose, train, and care for their love of running, affectionate nature and being all-round pets. Hind legs by this point to extreme shyness or grabbed for a hug can be with! Cloth, and whippetare very high energy even for puppies shaped by raising and training, displayed another. Found in small metal cannisters used in refillable whipped cream cannisters to comment on this you! To people and noises at an early age give your Whippet to be affectionate, playful.... Plan for your Whippet to be touch-sensitive, tending to startle a bit when touched unexpectedly grabbed... The weekend Whippet has a second chance and finds a `` forever ''. Slowly introduce them to situations whilst rewarding calm behaviour slowly introduce them situations... And have a low to the ground pace that is free-moving and vigorous new people, but prone. A `` forever family '' soon she loves helping people choose, train, and do not make good dogs! Exercise each day land on the internet are worthless, because they use the wrong training.! Your kitchen counters chance and finds a `` forever family '' soon is much faster than any other.! Groups - they 're great for letting unreliable fast dogs off lead secure... In your area and helpful Whippet information major chewing between 18 months and 2 years of age nor nervous nature! Of 58 km/h running the unfortunate animal down blazing speed of reaching speeds up 35! Does n't get enough off lead when do whippets calm down secure locations different story bark unnecessarily ’ re accepting with people... Is 9 months old, he 's an angel in the house but out of the time – consider.