When considering dogs for adoption, or more specifically greyhound adoption or whippet adoption, most people recognize whippets and greyhounds as being similar breeds.  Some even know that we are sighthounds. Actually, there are many sighthound breeds.  After you’ve read this article, check out my article on some of my sighthound cousins.

If you are researching dogs for adoption, greyhounds and whippets are the two fastest dog breeds in the world, but we also love to kick back and relax.  Because of this, some people call us “40 mile-per-hour couch potatoes,” a title we justly deserve.  To give you an idea of our size, greyhound boys run about 70 to 80 pounds and girls about 60 pounds.  We whippets are about half that size.  At 42 pounds, I’m considered a large male whippet.

So let’s consider three main reasons why you should consider greyhound adoption or whippet adoption:

• I want a dog to walk with – We love and need regular exercise, but don’t require a large yard to be happy. Frequent walks, and the occasional dash through the house, are all we really need.  Those of us whippets and greyhounds who still race, however, appreciate longer walks and the occasional run in an enclosed area.

• I want a loving companion – We whippets and our greyhound cousins are known to be sweet dogs.  We love to cuddle and spend time with our family.  As racers, however, we have almost no body fat and very little fur, which makes us very susceptible to extreme heat and cold.   We should never be left outdoors for prolonged periods.  Our thin fur has a big upside for your housekeeping since we shed minimally.

• I’m looking for a fun, competitive hobby – For over a thousand years, our canine ancestors chased game, a skill that has been honed today for dog racing.  If you’re looking for dogs for adoption, we come with a hobby for our masters! Organized by local clubs and national organizations, we compete today in dog racing by chasing a mechanical lure on straight, oval or zigzag courses.  Search the Internet for a local club or contact either the North American Whippet Racing Association or Large Gazehound Racing Association.

One word about our chasing.  Once outdoors, most of us will take off after small animals.  Because we don’t stop for traffic, you will need to keep us on lead or in a confined area whenever we are outdoors.

Greyhound Adoption – Greyhounds are Special!

Well, most of them think they are special. I must admit some do have special needs. If you’re considering greyhound adoption.  Many, if not most, greyhounds spent much of their early lives at the racetrack, often living in a crate.  Consequently, they didn’t have the same opportunities to learn about living in a human world. Greyhound adoption of a dog right off the track requires someone with the patience to build the human connection.

How Do I Adopt One?

Most greyhounds are what we call “rescue dogs.”  Some big-hearted person gave him or her a home once their track racing career was done.  If you’ve decided to make a greyhound part of your family, you might begin by looking up the National Greyhound Adoption Program on the Internet.  But don’t stop there; put “greyhound adoption” plus your zip code into your favorite Internet search engine and that should get you to a local nonprofit helping with greyhound adoption.

Adopting a whippet is also a great idea, though we are less likely to be turned out after our racing careers are done.  You can check out the national organization, Whippet Rescue, or look for local whippet clubs in your area for whippet adoption.

Purchasing a greyhound or whippet is another way to join the fun, but be very careful.  As with all breeds, puppy mills, breeders only interested in a fast buck, are not worth your time or money.  One great way to find a quality breeder is to attend a local dog show, visit a whippet or greyhound club in your area or come to a race meet.  Search the internet for the breed name and your state.

In your search for dogs for adoption, I hope you’ve decided to open your home to a whippet, a greyhound or any of our sighthound cousins.  We are wonderful additions to most any family and will give you many years of love, affection and fun.

Feeling the Need for Speed…

- Tristan the Whippet

Retirement shouldn’t be about ending, it’s actually new beginnings.  When I retired over a year ago I wasn’t exactly sure what “new beginnings” lay ahead.  I could never have guessed what was to come.

A pet seemed like a good idea for a new beginning, specifically a dog…maybe a whippet.  What was not in the plan was for this couch potato to turn my life upside down.  But I’m getting ahead of myself.

We decided to get a whippet, ideally a whippet in need of some sort of rescue.  While visiting family near San Bernardino, California, about 500 miles from home, a trip to “just look” not surprisingly ended with the adoption of the sweetest, most loving 42 pound boy you have ever met.  Tristan is his name.

While we were told he “really loves to race,” this was not evident since he slept most of the eight-hour drive home and pretty much took over the couch, one overstuffed chair and the entire middle half or our bed.  All indications were toward sloth, not speed burner.  Boy were we wrong about this whippet.

Sometimes called “35 mile-per-hour couch potatoes,” whippets know only two speeds: full out and dead stop.  Having seen the couch potato part, we discovered Tristan’s love of speed when we attended a race practice.  Upon seeing the lure, this quiet, docile dog became a maniac, seeming ready to rip my arm from the shoulder.  The first time we saw him dart from the boxes and chase that lure for real, we were hooked.  This is a very fun sport, for dog and for owner.  And yes, whippets are the second fastest dog being able to achieve 35 miles per hour within a few steps.

Since that first heart-pounding experience we have joined the local race club, traveled to Seattle for the National race meet and learned how much a vet charges for a whole list of ailments.  Keeping this race champion in shape has been a plus for me as I am now getting a 3 mile daily walk most sunny days.

We are very proud of our little whippet.  At the North America Whippet Racing Association (NAWRA) national meet he place 17^th out of over 75 entries.  He tied for 12^th place in the 2009 NAWRA race point standings.  These sorts of bragging rights don’t come often to retired guys who thought he was getting a pet.

At four and a half years old, Tristan still has a couple of more good racing years.  Then he and I will just have to find other interests to keep us active, young and healthy.

The whippet breed is a member of the hound family, and countless owners agree that the whippet is one of the most beautiful and graceful dog breeds. Whether at rest or running full throttle, the aerodynamic whippet is built for speed. Its short coat requires minimum grooming, and the whippet is gentle, kind, affectionate, and quiet, making this breed an ideal family pet and companion…even if you have fun with weekend racing. Here are 7 characteristics of the whippet you may or may not have known:

1.) WHIPPET ORIGINS – Many have differing opinions of the origin of the whippet breed. In the mid 19th century in the industrialized areas of Northern England, there existed a canine breed resembling a smaller greyhound, demonstrating traces of Italian greyhound or terrier. It is believed that the breed we are familiar with today is a result of many crosses between greyhounds (selected for speed and strength) and certain terriers (selected for courage & game hunting abilities).

2.) BREED DEVELOPMENT – Whippets originally bred for racing and hunting had a higher degree of terrier blood, giving them added strength and tenacity, while those whippets kept strictly as pets or for visual appearance showed more Italian greyhound influence, used to give greater refinement and reduce size. Because of the numerous cross breeding practices over time, this explains why the breed demonstrates a sturdy hound breed with few hereditary issues.

3.) WHIPPET RACING – In the smaller towns of Northern England, whippets were raced through the narrow streets and in fields and meadows on weekends, giving owners great pride in their racing ability. Over time, the breed received the name “poor man’s race horse.” Such increasing popularity of the whippet created a decline in the use of the breed for hunting, and a greater focus on racing. Whippets were known as “straight racers” because they raced in straight alleyways and in between rows of houses.

4.) PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS – Weighing on average from 27-31lbs. (12.5-14kg), the average whippet is a balanced combination of strength and muscular power, also coupled with grace and elegance. Whippets have relatively thin skin and get cold easily, which is why they don’t like to get wet.  Whippets tend to carry their tails between their legs (except when walking or playing) because the curve of the tail follows their natural curved spine. Despite their fragile appearance, whippets are surprisingly strong, not typically prone to illness, and are not typically susceptible to hip issues.

5.) WHIPPETS AS PETS – As domestic pets, whippets are clean, and can be easily housebroken and trained. Whippets are remarkable watchdogs and surprisingly rarely bark, which is important with neighbors close by or little children in the home. Whippets are basically indoor dogs and require nothing more than a warm blanket or bed to curl up.

6.) MATERNITY – The female whippet is usually an excellent mother, taking great care in protecting her litter. They have been known to birth up to 10 pups, although the average litter is around 5 or 6 pups. The puppies look much like other pups when born but begin to really look like a whippet around 6 weeks.

7.) WHIPPETS IN THE UNITED STATES – Prior to 1900, British-born New England residents introduced to the United States. Since its recognition by the American Kennel Club in the early 1930′s, the whippet has gradually increased in popularity.