Part of the hound group, Whippets have relatively few health problems other than arrhythmia. Whippets also participate in dog sports such as lure coursing, agility, dock diving and flyball. The name is derived from an early 17th-century word, now obsolete, meaning "to move briskly".
Why is a Whippet called a Whippet?
The breed's name developed from the word “whappet,” an older word describing “a small dog that yaps”.
Are Whippets the same as Greyhounds?
Greyhounds and Whippets aren't just similar breeds, they're family! Whippets are actually direct descendants of the ancient Greyhound. These elegant and streamlined dogs are natural racers – you could say they have a need for speed.
What did Whippets used to be called?
The Whippet became known as “the poor man's greyhound” and was frequently used for poaching and rabbit coursing to fill the pot. Later the Whippet's instinct to follow a fluttering rabbit-skin was used as the basis for flat-out “rag racing,” the forerunner of today's mechanized track racing and lure coursing.
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