The Whippet
Elegant,
sleek, an athlete, so much like a deer, all describe the Whippet.
Yet no description would be accurate until swift, powerful and gentle
were added. For the Whippet is all
this and more. Bred for a purpose,
to pursue and capture
small game, it has retained all the characteristics first looked for many
centuries ago and yet still maintains it’s place as an ideal house dog to all
who own one.
No
conclusive evidence has ever been offered as to the exact origin of the breed.
There are basically two theories which, over the years, have been
believed by equal number.
The first theory is that the Whippet is a relatively modern breed that
originated in the northern area of England and was developed by both the
Yorkshire and Welsh coal miners.
The second theory is that the Whippet is as old as its cousin, the
Greyhound, and can thus be traced back into the distant past of pre-history,
5,000 or so years ago.
The name "Whippet" first appeared in England in reference to what we currently think of as Whippets, when purebred dog breeding began in the last century. There were some carefully selected crosses of small English greyhounds and later some addition of certain terriers, and another common name was Snap Dog. The “Snap Dog” was a favourite of Welsh coal miners who relied on their pets to capture fresh meat for the dinner table. The breed’s distinct advantages in it’s swiftness, quietness and small size did not go unnoticed by poachers who would hide the Whippet under their coats away from the warden’s suspicious eye and then sneak them onto the grounds of the nobility to hunt. The miners first began competitive racing with the Whippet in the 1880’s, dubbing him 'The Poor Man's Race Horse". An entire week's wages might ride on the speed of the family hearth dog. A fast dog then was money in the pocket and special pride to the one who owned him.
The
second theory is also quite possible. If
we examine the differences within the Greyhound breed today and throughout
history, we will find that allowances for quite a size difference within the
breed exist. 
The Greyhound standard even today, only gives a weight standard and not a
height standard.
At all points in time, large Greyhounds and small Greyhounds have
co-existed, some being 20 to 22 inches on up to 30 inches.
The smaller hounds are quite evident today, not in the show ring, but at
racing tracks, and although they are not refined, they are fairly close to the
correct size for Whippets.
If these smaller hounds were bred over a period of a few generations then
the resulting pups would carry genes for the smaller size and the end result
would be a small greyhound.
With continued refinement over the centuries and adaptation to location,
the Whippet would
result, but would more then likely still have been referred to as a
"greyhound"
until the last century when the miners, seeking to have their own bit of
the dog world, dubbed the smaller hounds "Whippets" in reference to
their fast whip-like speeds, and the colloquial terms of the times.
If one is to examine various tapestries of the middle ages, particularly
the Bayeux Tapestry, commemorating the Normandy Invasion of England in the 11th
century, one would see hounds of Whippet proportions in many scenes. 
In the Bayeux Tapestry, Harold's men bring gifts of "hunting
hounds" to William.
These hounds are carried aboard ship, under the arm of the knights.
Proportionately to a human, these hounds are Whippets, although they are
referred to as "Levrier" or in modern translation,
"Greyhound".
Since the dog breeds tended to be grouped by what the dog did, (bird
dogs, hounds, sheepdogs, etc.), the coursing hounds regardless as to size or
coat type, 
were, for the longest time referred to as Gazehounds or "graizehounds",
hence Greyhound, or Levrier, (French), but all referring to long-legged, fast
hounds, who sighted their game, and hunted it by coursing.
Although
their origins may never be certain, the Whippet rose to
popularity in America during the 1920’s and 30’s, not only as a status
symbol and popular show dog, but also as a competitive track dog.
Professional racing ended with the Depression and has not been revived,
although amateur racing is still alive and well in both Canada and the U.S.
Though the Whippet slowly faded from the public’s eye during the
1940’s, it is once again coming back in popularity.
The increasing awareness of its several different activities and its easy
care in the home has brought it back in all measures of competition.
Fragile though they may seem, the Whippet’s looks are deceiving. Tough would be a more accurate description, for the Whippet is still a strongly competitive breed that can take to the field at a moment’s notice and handle the most rugged terrain with little effort. Far from being nervous, the Whippet instead shows an unusual cool and often aloof manner in most circumstances. In the home the Whippet stands out for it’s quietness, with normal backyard barking of the average dog, being non-existent. However, they are equally quick to make their presence known if a stranger appears. It is only when a Whippet finds itself outside in a lure coursing field or on the track that it’s spirit is released into vocal enthusiasm as it eagerly waits to run. Few people who own one Whippet only stay with just that one. They soon find that two or three are as little trouble as one of many larger breeds. These dogs easily adapt to homes with children, other dogs, even cats! A large yard is not necessary for this sight hound as long as they are given a chance to stretch their legs regularly. It is truly a loving housedog that blooms when allowed to be with the family and should never be relegated to only a back yard kennel. In return for care and affection, the Whippet will return years of gentle companionship with the opportunity for family outings full of fun and adventure.
On
the 1st day, God created the Whippet.
On the 2nd day, God created man to serve the Whippet.
On the 3rd day, God created the animals of the earth to serve as
potential food for the Whippet.
On the 4th day, God created honest toil so that man could labour for the good of
the Whippet.
On the 5th day, God created the tennis ball, so that the Whippet might or might
not retrieve it.
On the 6th day, God created veterinary science to keep the Whippet healthy and
the man broke.
On the 7th day, God tried to rest, but he had to walk the
Whippet..
