How to care for a whippet

The whippet is a breed of dog belonging to the family of hounds. He is known for his slim and elegant figure and his resemblance to the greyhound. Formerly it was used as a hunting dog for its excellent vision and its agility and speed. In general, the character of this dog is calm and docile, and can be shy if it is not socialized when it is small. These characteristics along with their average height make the whippet a recommended option for people who like to be at home, since this dog breed loves the company. If you want to know how to take care of a whippet, continue reading this .com article in which we provide all the information you need.

Physical characteristics of the whippet

There is no doubt that this race boasts an enviable beauty, characterized by a slender and elegant figure . At first glance, it seems an extremely delicate and fragile dog, but the truth is that it has a great physical capacity, among which stands out its great speed and agility. Also, strange as it may seem, it is also strong and resilient, another reason why it was used as a hunting dog.

The whippet has a long, long head and a narrow snout. Their eyes are oval and very expressive, that usually transmit tenderness. This is one of the reasons why it may seem that he is always sad or scared, even though it is not like that. The ears are small and their neck elongated and muscular. The height of the whippet is around 47-51 cm in the case of the males, while the females usually measure between 44-47 cm. Also, the weight of this breed ranges between 9 and 20 kg.

Whipper behavior

If you want to know how to care for a whippet, it is important that you know his character. The truth is that this race does not usually cause many problems, since they are docile, friendly and friendly . However, it is also an energetic dog that needs to perform physical activity frequently. They are excellent companion animals, since they love to feel close to humans and enjoy resting with them. In addition, it tends to get along with children, even though it is not the most suitable pet for small children, and who do not like rough games. This does not mean that this breed is incompatible with the smallest, since we can teach them to respect the animal and not hit it. On the other hand, the whippet is not the best breed to live with pets since its hunting instinct could encourage you to chase and capture small animals. However, with a good education since you are small you can get to avoid this type of behavior.

Training of the whippet

Although the whippet is a shy dog, it does not present any problem to relate to other dogs, as long as we develop a good socialization since it is small. Therefore it is advisable to accustom to the presence of people and other dogs, in order to get habituated, normalize these situations and learn to enjoy them.

In order to be aware of how to care for a wippet, it is essential to bear in mind that this race does not tolerate either physical or psychological punishment . For this reason, it is fundamental to educate them through positive stimuli, that is, by rewarding them for the desired behaviors and ignoring those we consider negative. Never hit your dog, whether it is a whippet or any other breed, since it will hinder your learning and you can create traumas in your furry friend.

Whippet feeding

It is important to provide our dog with quality food, regardless of breed. A good diet rich in the different nutrients that our dog needs will help strengthen your health, prevent possible diseases and, why not, increase your life expectancy. We can choose to serve you two meals a day, never just before or after you have exercised. In addition, we must be aware that it always has a bowl with agu a and that we do not place it in a place where the sun is very hot. The amount of food will vary depending on weight, age and other factors, so it is best to consult with the veterinarian. Usually, the whippet eats around 250-300 grams of dry feed .

Every time we should give him a bath

The whippet have thin, short and thin fur, so it does not require much care. It is enough that we have general care in mind. Despite this, the frequency with which we bathe our dog will depend on whether it gets dirty more often when walking in places where there is dirt, vegetation or other elements that can increase dirt. Generally, we should bathe our whippet once a month with the right shampoo for your fur. For this it is advisable to consult with the veterinarian. Also, we must take into account the care of the nails . This task can be complicated if we have never executed it, so you can consult this article on how to cut a dog's nails.

Physical activity of the wippet

As we explained earlier, the care of the whippet requires physical exercise. Although it is not a large dog, it has a lot of energy, and its great ability to run make this breed an animal that needs adequate energetic wear . You should enjoy a good walk 3 times a day, and in some of these it is more than recommended that you can run and play with other dogs. Another good option is to enjoy playing with your whippet, so you can check which are the best toys for dogs and choose the one that attracts you the most.

We can take advantage when the whippet is still small so that it plays with dogs during the walks. In this way we will achieve a good socialization, in addition to contributing to their physical and emotional well-being.

The health of the whippet

The whippet is a breed that does not usually present many health complications and lives between 12 and 14 years, however, this will vary depending on their diet, physical exercise and other care that are the responsibility of the owner. These are some diseases or health problems that this race may have:

Sensitivity to cold

The thin skin of the whippet and its low body fat make this breed an animal prone to feel cold . In cold seasons it is advisable to buy an adequate coat to protect you from low temperatures and wind. Also, it is important to provide a warm place in the house where you can sleep well.

Dental health

Usually, this dog has a strong denture. However, it is important to pay attention to the care of your teeth and gums. Gum diseases can get complicated and lead to more serious illnesses, which is why it is important to know when your dog will be taken to the veterinarian.

Obesity

Like most dogs, whippet love to eat. Especially when they get older, they can get fat easily, which is why we should try to provide them with quality food in the right quantity.