Man has used dogs to help him hunt for centuries and different types of hounds have evolved to deal with the various prey. Larger, heavier hounds would have been needed to deal with wolves and wild boar, but in areas where small deer, rabbits or hare were hunted, the speedier, more agile Greyhound type of dog would have been more suitable. The more enclosed area meant that a smaller hound would have been preferred over the Greyhound.

At the end of the eighteenth century, the medium-sized running dog appears to have acquired a name of its own - the "whippet" or "snap dog" - and was a popular breed among the working men in the north of the country. These dogs were used for rabbit hunting and later for racing. Whippets became known as "the poor man's Greyhound" and were highly prized possessions, living curled up by the fire and, it is said, often fed better than members of the family. They were expected to earn their keep at race meetings where betting took place, so a dog that lacked speed would not be considered of any value. Only the best bitches would be bred from, and only the fastest dogs used at stud, so once more, the Greyhound type of animal predominated and the Whippet quickly reverted to type.

Whippets live up to 14 years of age.

BREED PERSONALITY, CHARACTERISTICS & TEMPERAMENT

Whippets have an agreeable temperament and make an ideal family pet and a wonderful companion. It is often said that bitches generally make better pets than their male counterparts because they are more affectionate and obedient. However, this is quite the opposite for Whippets where the male is the more obedient, friendly and outgoing of the species.

COMPATIBILITY WITH OTHER PETS

The vast majority of Whippets are not aggressive towards other dogs. Similar to most animals blessed with great speed, they prefer to use their speed to get out of a fight.

CARE REQUIREMENTS

Whippets are much tougher than they look and will happily go for a walk in weather that would deter most owners. Being high on the leg, they bring in relatively little dirt after an energetic walk, and their short coats require only a minimum of grooming to keep in trim.

Whippets have been described as the lazy man's dog, because they are easy to look after and to feed. They do need daily exercise, and similar to most dogs thirty minutes walk daily on a lead will keep them healthy and reasonably fit - they will also appreciate fifteen minutes free running where they can really "stretch out".

Please take note:
Although in many breeds it is considered that bitches make better house pets than dogs, this is not necessarily the case with Whippets.

IDEAL OWNERS

The Almost everyone.

IN CONCLUSION

If you have decided that the Whippet is the dog for you and you realise that it needs to be taken out for a daily run where it can go "flat stick", contact one of the groups listed below:

DECISION TIME

Before making a decision on getting a puppy, here are some articles you might find helpful:

• What do we need to consider if we are thinking of buying a puppy?
• How do I determine which breeder to use?
• What should you ask the breeder?
• How do you check if the breeder is reputable?
• What to ask your vet prior to buying a puppy

RECOMMENDED BREEDERS

Breeder Name	Kennel	State
Steve Warry	Sabu	WA	Contact
Lesley Cameron	Gaelforce	NT	Contact
Joanne Austen	Lysnagah	QLD	Contact
Bill, Eva and Ellen Mooney	Elmaro	VIC	Contact
Allana Smith	Algara	NSW	Contact
Rebecca Lamb	Shakuru	SA	Contact
Jen Johnson	Mondetta	VIC	Contact
Tony and Alan Wishart and Kyman	Talkabout	VIC	Contact
Catherine Foster	Stonegrace	WA	Contact
Jackie and Bruce Hickey	Chasbank	NSW	Contact
Adrienne and Brian Holzapfez	Pinemist	QLD	Contact
AT and KA Cooney	Shalique	QLD	Contact
Gary and Danielle Dryburgh	Tezer	NSW	Contact
Molly Rule-Steele	TAEJAAN	NSW	Contact
Kerry Hutt	Kebarlea	SA	Contact
Jenna McNeill	Beauroi	NSW	Contact
Sue Delaney	Alltalk	VIC	Contact
Jeffrey McLeod	Silknspring	QLD	Contact
Griff & Lisa Parry	Parnew	TAS	Contact
Tammy Stephens	ZATINI	NSW	Contact
Sue Cameron-Codognotto	Ozrhode	VIC	Contact
Narelle O'Neill	Bellarell	QLD	Contact
Bruce Lyck	shebewghan	QLD	Contact
Leigh McVilly	Amashutu	VIC	Contact

* We have vetted and approved these independent breeders as meeting, at the time, our criteria for the reliable breeding, feeding, care and sale of suitable quality puppies of this breed. This does not mean that other breeders do not meet these criteria or are not otherwise suitable suppliers. Nor can our vetting and approval guarantee the quality of a breeder or puppy or that you will be happy with them. We disclaim any liability for the quality, acts or omissions of these breeders or their puppies and our approval of breeders is not a substitute for you making all appropriate enquiries and checks (including veterinary checks) before choosing a specific breeder or puppy.

CANINE CLUBS

Australian Capital Territory ACT Canine Association Inc PO Box 815 Dickson, ACT 2602 Tel: 02 6241 4404 Fax: 02 6241 1129 Email: CONTACT Website: www.actca.asn.au (Details correct as of 1/08/04)		New South Wales Royal New South Wales Canine Council Ltd PO Box 632 St Marys, NSW 1790 Tel: 02 9834 3022 or 1300 728 022 (NSW only) Fax: 02 9834 3872 Email: CONTACT Website: www.rnswcc.org.au (Details current as of 1/08/04)
Northern Territory The North Australian Canine Association Inc PO Box 37521 Winnellie, NT 0821 Tel: 08 8984 3570 Fax: 08 8984 3409 Email: CONTACT Website: www.users.bigpond.com/naca1/ (Details correct as of 6/08/04)		Queensland Canine Control Council (Queensland) PO Box 495 Fortitude Valley, Qld 4006 Tel: 07 3252 2661 Fax: 07 3252 3864 Email: CONTACT Website: www.cccq.org.au (Details correct as of 1/08/04)
South Australia South Australian Canine Association Inc PO Box 844 Prospect East, SA 5082 Tel: 08 8349 4797 Fax: 08 8262 5751 Email: CONTACT Website: www.saca.caninenet.com (Details correct as of 1/08/04)		Tasmania Tasmanian Canine Association Inc The Rothman Building PO Box 116 Glenorchy, Tas 7010 Tel: 03 6272 9443 Fax: 03 6273 0844 Email: CONTACT Website: www.tca.freeservers.com (Details correct as of 1/08/04)
Victoria Victorian Canine Association Locked Bag K9 Cranbourne, Vic 3977 Tel: 03 9788 2500 Fax: 03 9788 2599 Email: CONTACT Website: www.vca.org.au (Details correct as of 1/08/04)		Western Australia Canine Association of Western Australia Inc PO Box 1404 Canning Vale, WA 6970 Tel: 08 9455 1188 Fax: 08 9455 1190 Email: CONTACT Website: www.cawa.asn.au (Details correct as of 1/08/04)