What makes the Longhaired Whippet Unique?
Longhaired Whippets have sweet, friendly personalities and enjoy spending time with people and other dogs (especially dogs of their own kind). They are affectionate and loving yet still maintain the typical dignified sighthound demeanor. They tend to be a bit more biddable and eager to please than other sighthounds which makes them well suited to obedience and agility training. They do not make good guard dogs, but will bark a warning to their owners if they feel it necessary
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Is the Longhaired Whippet Right For You?
Longhaired Whippets have wonderful personalities. They are very sweet and do not seem to have the hard edge that many smooth Whippets, especially the females, have. Longhairs are generally not as dog-dominant, either. Therefore, they get along much better with other dogs than the smooths do.
Some may make good alert dogs as they may bark a warning, but even these are not yappy as some breeds of dogs are. However, they are not guard dogs. Longhair Whippets are obedient and eager to please, making them capable of doing obedience and agility work.
In 5 Words
- Sweet
- Affectionate
- Lively
- Sensitive
- Loving
Characteristics
Learn About the Longhaired Whippet
Description
General Description
The Longhaired Whippet is a medium-sized, athletic sighthound, identical in build to the Whippet but with a longer silky coat and fringes. The breed standard indicates that the Longhaired Whippet should conform to the general appearance outlined by the Whippet breed standard except, of course, for the longer coat. However, the coat should not prevent the dog from being able to fulfill its function in the field as a running dog. They come in a variety of colors including: solids like red and black, parti-colors such as fawn and white, and various shades of brindle. They range in height from 18-22 inches at the shoulder and usually weigh between 20 and 30 lbs.
Short History of the Longhaired Whippet
Longhaired Whippets came about when a Whippet breeder named Walter A. Wheeler Jr. set out to bring out a recessive longhaired gene lurking in the Whippet breed. He found success and introduced his new dogs to the public in the 1970s. Although some breeders claimed the longhaired dogs were the result of a cross with Shetland Sheepdogs, Wheeler maintained that the dogs were purebred Whippets.
Temperament
Longhaired Whippets have sweet, friendly personalities and enjoy spending time with people and other dogs (especially dogs of their own kind). They are affectionate and loving yet still maintain the typical dignified sighthound demeanor. They tend to be a bit more biddable and eager to please than other sighthounds which makes them well suited to obedience and agility training. They do not make good guard dogs, but will bark a warning to their owners if they feel it necessary.
Caring for Your Longhaired Whippet
General Health
The Whippet is a generally healthy breed, and buying from a responsible breeder will help ensure that you get the healthiest Whippet possible. A puppy from a reputable Whippet breeder will be vaccinated and dewormed before you take him home. Responsible breeders use only physically sound, mature (at least 2 years or older) dogs, and test their breeding stock for genetic diseases pertinent to the breed.
Grooming & Bathing
Longhaired Whippets have just enough coat to soften and enhance the look, but not so much as to require tedious grooming. The coat is generally soft and silky, but texture may vary slightly depending on color.
There is very little undercoat, so maintenance (brushing or combing) is extremely minimal. A quick once every other week brushing is more than enough. They do not shed profusely, as some coated breeds, and even the smooths, do. As can be seen from the pictures, the coat should not hide the lovely outline. The Longhaired Whippet takes the weather very well, not needing a jacket to go out in cold weather. Even the older puppies love to play in the snow.
Exercise & Training
Longhaired Whippets are capable of reaching very high speeds, but are not high-strung or hyperactive. They are sprinters and do enjoy being able to run and play, but spend a large amount of their time lounging comfortably at home.
Like all sighthounds, they do not have a lot of body fat and are not suitable to be kept outdoors year round, nor for long periods outdoors in the cold or inclement weather.
Longhaired Whippet Picture Gallery
