Whippet
Whippets are friendly, affectionate, and highly intelligent, making them great family dogs. Whippets look very much like smaller greyhounds. Like greyhounds, Whippets are fast sprinters and are used in dog racing. Whippets belong to the “sighthound” family, meaning they rely on their sight and speed to hunt, rather than their sense of smell.
Caring for Your Whippet
Whippets have a short hair coat that is easy to maintain. They need regular exercise, but be cautious letting them off leash. Given their hunting instincts and rapid speed, it is important to keep them on a leash or in an enclosed area. Whippets rarely bark, which makes them good dogs for apartment life.
Common Health Issues in Whippets
Whippets are healthy dogs with very few breed-specific health problems.
Anesthesia Considerations: Most sighthounds, including Whippets, have a leaner body mass than other breeds. With less fat to absorb medications, sighthounds are more sensitive to anesthesia drugs and may require a lower dose than other breeds of a similar weight. They are also more likely to develop hypothermia under anesthesia, making it harder for the body to break down the anesthesia.
Delayed post-operative hemorrhage (DPOH): Some Whippets may develop bleeding hours after a surgical procedure. With DPOH, the blood clots normally during surgery, but the body breaks down blood clots prematurely causing bruising, seeping of blood along incision lines, or internal hemorrhage. Genetic testing can be done before breeding to determine if the parents carry either of these gene mutations.
Nutrition for Whippets
There are no specific nutritional requirements for Whippets. A well-balanced commercial pet food should be adequate as long as your pet is healthy.
Pet Health Insurance for Your Whippet
If you are looking for pet health insurance for your Whippet you should ensure that many health issues that are commonly seen in Whippets are covered. You will also want to find insurance with short waiting times for treatment and surgery. If you prolong these procedures, your dog could have permanent health issues.
Many times, certain health conditions are considered genetic or are a pre-existing condition and they may not be covered for your Whippet.
You could also consider enrolling in Mint Wellness. This pet wellness plan includes membership in Pet Assure, a low-cost pet insurance alternative and veterinary discount plan. This plan has no exclusions due to age, breed, or hereditary conditions. Even pre-existing conditions are covered! Get a quote today. It's perfect for an Afghan Hound.
Medically Reviewed by Jennifer Shepherd, DVM
