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Left Alone

I want to get a Whippet but work full time 9-5 Monday-Friday. Are they okay being alone or with another dog for that time? My roommate is also getting a dog unsure of what breed so they would have each other to play with while we are both working.

ANSWER

For any dog but especially for a puppy, being left alone for so long seems like a long time, be it alone or with another dog (provided they get along).

The best solution would be to give your whippet access to a fenced and safe yard or hire a dog sitter for a lunchtime walk.

Is A Whippet the Right Dog for My Household?

by Terry
(New York City area)

Hi Whippet people,

I just lost my greyhound to cancer. She was almost 14. I love the breed incredibly, but have found that it is difficult to transport such a large dog in an urban area. (NYC,USA). One of the issues I was having when taking my dear greyhound for her cancer treatment for 6 months was that I was having a hard time lifting her. She couldn't jump into a car or minivan any more, and it was very difficult to get her up into a vehicle. She wouldn't walk on a ramp. I tried lots of strategies. (I am short, getting older, and have a bad back).

I love the whippets I have met in my travels, but I don't know any of them well enough to know if they are possibly too active for me.

I won't be ready to adopt again for a while since I am heart-broken right now, but I want to learn about whippets to see if a whippet would be an option. The other factor would be that I would want to adopt a rescued whippet or a whippet needing re-homing. The third factor is that I have two rat terriers, and it would have to be a good match with them, if they are both still alive by the time i decide to adopt. The rat terriers got along really well with my greyhound.

Does anyone have any feedback, especially about the amount of exercise? I take my rat terriers out three times a day for walks, but they don't get any free running time. They seem to be doing fine. They are very healthy and happy. My greyhound never wanted to exercise much, and the greyhound before her didn't either. I know that is pretty common.

Thanks,

Terry

ANSWER

Hello Terry,

I suspect that a whippet would be the perfect match for you. They are small-medium dogs, easy to handle and lift. When they curl up in the car, whippets don't take any space at all.

Once whippets are over the puppy stage, they are very laid back and easy going, at home they just love to snooze on the sofa. I walk my dogs one hour a day with some off leash runs.

I have no experience of rat terriers but I am sure that if they loved your greyhound, they will be also a good match for a whippet.

Keep visiting the bulletin board for adoptable whippets, you might find the one just for you!

Whippets, Allergies and Asthma

by Bianca
(Australia)

I've heard that whippets are great for people with allergies and asthma.

I have both and don't have too much of a problem except when my dog (he's a koolie) sleeps inside.

I would love a whippet but I'm unsure how I would go as I would want him to be an inside dog.

Do you have any advice in this area?

ANSWER:

Alas, I don't think there are any perfectly allergy-proof dogs if you are truly allergic to them.

Whippets shed very little, are extremely clean inside the house and are generally considered less allergenic then most dogs.

Besides, if your koolie is not a problem I don't see why a whippet should be.

I am an asthma sufferer myself but (luckily) dogs were never a problem for me.

My asthma improved a lot with the Buteyko method. It is totally safe and really worth a try.

Yours is a difficult decision and the only sensible advice I can give you is to experiment with a whippet in your house. If possible "borrow" one for few days and see how it goes.

Whippets are such lovely dogs that they are definitely worth a little experiment.

I hope everything goes well and you will be able to have your whippet soon!

Do Whippets do well alone while I'm at work?

by Gene B
(Marysville, CA, USA)

I'm single & would like a dog. I'm searching very carefully for the right dog with a temperament that would suit my current work situation.

I commute to work & am gone for about 10 hours a day, M-F. I'm excited to get a dog or that I could walk/jog daily for 30-60 minutes, plus training, & would spend a lot of time with him on the weekends.

Do you think a whippet would fit that lifestyle? I don't want to rush into a decision so I'm researching breeds for the right dog. Thanks for your help!

ANSWER:

I appreciate the fact that you are doing a careful research before jumping headfirst into the wonderful but demanding world of dog owners.

Whippets are well known to be velcro dogs, they stick close to their owners and don’t like to be left alone for too long.

To be routinely alone for ten hours a day seems like a lot for any dog. Maybe you should consider a pet that suits better your lifestyle like a cat, a horse or a bird. All these pets will be able to provide entertainment and affection but require less time commitment than a dog.

Is a Whippet the Right Dog for Me?

by Harry
(Australia)

I would like to buy my first whippet pup but I wonder if it is fair on my 13 year old miniature schnauzer to bring another dog into the house. I have had him since a pup and it has been just him and me for all this time.

My next question is that I have a bird aviary so would the birds drive the whippet crazy not being able to chase them?

I am aware the whippets can jump but I cannot find out how high. My fences are 1.5 m. high is that sufficient to keep them in?

ANSWER:

Let's answer each question.

You wrote:

"It is fair on my 13 year old miniature schnauzer to bring another dog into the house?"

If your schnauzer enjoys the company of other dogs and gets along well with them, a whippet puppy might bring some fun and excitement into his life.

At the begging you might have to watch them closely but if everything goes well a pup can give new life to your old dog's routine.


Your second question:

"I have a bird aviary so would the birds drive the whippet crazy not being able to chase them?"

Most whippets like to chase birds but as the birds are in a cage, I guess your whippet will learn soon that they are unreachable and will leave them alone.

Speak with your breeder about this, he or she might be able to give you more info about that particular line of dogs and their behavior.

Your last question:

"My fences are 1.5 m. high is that sufficient to keep a whippet in?"

Your fences may not be enough to keep safely inside an escape artist.

Most whippets are not especially adventurous and may be content to stay inside but if your whippet is really spirited and there is something interesting going on outside, that fence may not be enough.

All the best for your new pup!

Whippet On Its Own a Few Hours Monday to Friday?

I would love to get a whippet and have done so much research on them but one thing I can't seem to find out is how long would they be ok to be left alone for.

I work from 8:30am until 3:30 pm. I would also be home for an hour at 12 pm to see the dog and some days other people would be in the house for a few hours.

My whippet could go and stay with my mam and her dog (which is a miniature poodle) for a few hours every other day until I got home and I would be home all weekend and for my 6 week holiday.

Would this be ok?

ANSWER:

How many hours can a whippet be home alone depends on many factors: the age of the dog, the temperament, the quantity of exercise he gets and the housing facilities.

It seems to me that you are already figuring out a good plan and you will be able to spend a lot of quality time with your dog.

Good luck for your new puppy!

Should I Get a Whippet?

I am thinking about getting a dog, mine passed away last spring and I would like a companion again.
I am going to start college next fall but will continue to live at home for at least a few years.
I would really like a dog that bonds to me but that doesn't really lick or jump too much.
We do have other pets so he/she wouldn't be lonely, anyway I just am wondering if this is the right dog for me and any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

ANSWER:

Whippets become great companions, they bond closely with their humans and they love to jump and lick to greet them!

I would say that they jump more than the average dog (they are very athletic) but they lick less than most dogs.

Whippets are also very willing to please their owners and with patience and training they can learn anything.

I guess it is up to you to make your future whippet a perfect companion!

Could I Have a Whippet

by Steve Sorocko
(Fredericktown Mo.)

...place on the bed will be an if come.

If I need to build a big party spot for a few hour endeavor, that will be done.

Do you think I can do a whippet? Can we take a walk in the woods with training?

I want a friend, a dog that wants to come back to me, go home and rest for a while.

I am healthy, but have a godfather in case the animal has need beyond my ability.

ANSWER:

Hello Steve!

I think part of your message is missing, please feel free to send me more questions if my answer is incomplete.

Whippets are quite adaptable, they love walks in the woods and that is definitely the best time for training.

Most whippets learn the recall quickly, they are happy to accompany their humans everywhere and then rest on the sofa for most of the day.

The whippet is an easy and adaptable companion!

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