| There are arguments as to the origin of the Whippet. | | | | When racing became the sport of favor, the smaller |
| Some of the fanciers of the breed will tell you that this | | | | Whippet was prized above all else, being fed |
| is an ancient breed that has been around since at least | | | | sometimes even better diets than their owners. The |
| the fifth century A.D. A more common belief is that the | | | | farmers wagered heavily on the races and a fast |
| Whippet was purposely bred down from the | | | | Whippet was a treasure. Because of the value placed |
| Greyhound when small Greyhounds were crossed | | | | on a fast dog, only the fittest and speediest were |
| with Terriers to produce an exceptionally useful rabbit | | | | used for breeding and the Whippet became even |
| hound and racer. At first called "Snap dogs", these | | | | racier and more refined of bone through the years. |
| racy little hounds were used extensively for rabbit | | | | Eventually the dog show fanciers took to the breed |
| coursing by the local farmers in Great Britain. In order | | | | and by the turn of the century the dog had been |
| to produce more stamina in the breed they were | | | | admitted into the Kennel Club of Great Britain. It was |
| crossed with bull terriers at one point. | | | | appreciated and admired by the dog fancy for it's |
| These fast hounds were often coursed as many as | | | | elegance and racy lines, combined with a grace of |
| twenty five or thirty times a day after the hares. The | | | | movement that was unequaled in other racing hounds. |
| Whippet was often called "the poor man's greyhound" | | | | Today they are shown internationally. |
| and indeed they lived the life of their larger cousin , | | | | This is a breed with a light skin and delicate structure, |
| curled up by the fire on a winter's night and running the | | | | often it is possible that the dog will injure itself by |
| rabbits daily during the summer months. When rabbit | | | | running into tree limbs and such. Whippet owners |
| hunting lost its following, the little dogs were used as | | | | usually try to keep the pens that the dogs are in free |
| racing dogs and given a handicap based on weight. | | | | from trees and shrubbery. Also it is a breed that |
| Because of this the smaller Whippet, weighing around | | | | suffers from the cold and needs to be kept indoors in |
| 16-17 pounds, was more in favor than the larger | | | | the winter. However there are relatively few genetic |
| Whippets that were formerly used for rabbit hunting, | | | | diseases or other notable problems. |
| as those often weighed in at around 22-25 pounds. | | | | |