Hi,

I recently rescued a 2 year old bitch, that the vet described as a
whippet. I'm certain she's not a pure whippet as her back legs, although
almost identical in shape to photos I've seen of whippets, stand more
vertically and her back curves slightly. She has a slim snout but a
wider 'face' than whippets I've seen, but her body is thin and has an
extremely deep chest and waspish waist - generally very whippet-like
(can't find a coat to fit her anywhere..).

I suspect she has been crossed with a Staffordshire Bull Terrier or
something similar, and I've been told this is common practice; I know
she was the runt of the litter at birth too.

Although she was in a bad condition last summer, she is now back up to
her fighting weight and has stopped shivering constantly. My question is
how do you encourage them to run? I've seen brief glimpses of her at
full flight and it is very exciting, especially when she corners at fult
tilt. But generally she is bone idle - she hates going for walks,
preferring to sleep. And when we've taken her out into the country for a
good run she sulks and slinks back to where she knows the car is parked,
very occasionally bursting into a short run. As far as chasing anything
that moves goes - she either pretends not to have seen anything or runs
in the opposite direction!

If possible, could anybody provide me with information to help encourage her
off her backside and use her running talents?

Thanks in advance,

Damien

You can lead a horse to water but you can"t make it drink.

lol.. you are quite right, but she looks so good when she does.

I was thinking of finding her a playmate, whippets are the most loving dog I've ever come across. She loves to lick hands and faces and won't sleep anywhere else but in our bed under the cover. However, although she isn't negative towards other dogs she is completely indifferent - and we've spent a long time winning her confidence.

Her last 'owner' was 6" 6' and 20 stone, and used to pin her down to cut her claws and fed her horrible cheap market dogfood. So I don't want to make her feel jealous in any way. It would be nice to have another though... :o)

Hi Damien,

Getting her a playmate may be a good idea as whippets generally love companionship, but I worry that if she is already timid it may cause her to go even deeper into herself. Have you tried her around another dog to see how she reacts to the company?

I have taken her to my parents on a number of occasions, they have a dog too. She simply ignores him! Although she is very playful with us, she doesn't appear to be interested in other dogs for fun...

Hi Damien,

I have mulled this matter over during the night, and seeing as she shows no reaction to other dogs, it is probably a bad idea getting a companion for her. My reasoning is this.

She is just getting to know you, and earning her trust is a monstrous task. From what I have read in your original posting, she definately sees you as her saviour. In her eyes, you have taken her from this ‘bad’ person who had no idea of how to care for such a temperamental, frail and loving creature, and have given her a quality of life that she could only dream of! Whippets are easily scared. The original owner has terrified this poor animal, and has certainly knocked any self-confidence that she ever had. She will probably never get over her fear of having her claws cut.

But if you go ahead and get her a companion, she may not see this as an encouragement booster, but as a betrayal of her on your part. SHE is YOUR pride and joy, and she loves you with her whole heart for giving her such a wonderful home! You may jeopardise all the good you have done by forcing her to have to ‘share’ your affection with another dog. She will only become resentful to you, and she may withdraw from you completely. I think it is best to let bone idle dogs lie.

Furthermore, I would be very careful if you ever decide to breed her. She may take to motherhood like the proverbial duck, but there is a high likelihood that she will reject, or even destroy her litter. This is again due to her belief that they will take your attention away from her. Sorry, I don't want to sound negative, but you need to be aware of such things.

I’m afraid that if she doesn’t want to run, you won’t be able to make her, and I do know how you feel when you see her fly. Just take enjoyment when she does do it and praise her highly for it (keeps some treats handy). She might become encouraged to do it more often because she will realise that it pleases you, and that's something that she LOVE'S to do!

Because she loves you…

I feel that you are probably right, she is has become a very loving dog and I don't want her to feel that we are letting her down at all - this is her third, and hopefully final home; she's been rescued twice now (obviously the first one was a case of 'out of the frying pan'...) At least this means she's been spayed already.

You are right too about her paws - just brushing them accidently with a hand causes her to flinch violently! The vet almost had to sedate her when we first took her on, but one was so long it had curled round and was growing back into her pad.

Unsurprisingly we spoil her rotten, but it irritates me to hear people say we should 'discipline' her etc. If jumping on worktops/tables scavenging for food is what she likes to do, then that's fine by me. It has meant a few loaves have been stolen, but no big deal... lol. Strangely, she doesn't like fresh meat, so that's safe from her. She was close to starvation when she came to us, but put her weight back on eating Iams which she loves as much as bread crusts. And she can hear a crisp packet rustling from several miles away, so that's an occasional treat for her too - but I am being careful with these as her teeth are in poor condition already from begging sweets and chocolate from the children of her previous owners. These are what probably kept her alive for so long!

Thanks again for the advice, I will wait another year or so and see how she is then - maybe it'll be a different story then.

Well, if she has been spayed, you don't have to worry about the dilemma of breeding her.

As for people telling you do discipline her, they don't know the horrors that she has had to endure over her short life! Moreover, whippets love to gain access to high points, tables, cupboards, sink units, the higher the better, so she shouldn't be chastised for this unless she is in danger of hurting herself. I am sure that you have given her guidelines on what is and is not acceptable behaviour, and that she more or less toes the line. But any pet / owner relationship is about trust and understanding, I think you both handling the situation admirably. (Do give consideration to visitors to your home though, as they may not appreciate having to eat their pasta through your dog's hind legs!)

I won't say that living with a whippet is easy, lord knows they can be the stroppiest creatures alive if not given the right attention and it is incredibly easy to give a whippet a serious setback. Have you noticed that sulky face that she gives you when you are not paying attention to her? It's so sweet you just have to munch her! That's a defence mechanism, and it only work's on those who truely adore her.

Give it time and it will all come out in the wash. You sound like a fine, caring and protective owner. She's in good hands, and she knows it!

Thanks again - I've turned into a completely soppy thing with her. She DOES do the doe-eyed thing if she's not getting 110% attention, and it is irrestistable. She likes being picked up too.

I've got to stop calling her doggy-woggy though... lol.

I'm sure whatever you call her is fine in her book. I grew up in a house full of racing whippets. We had one we named Bluey, but we always called him Boogy-woogy (my mother's influence I'm afraid). It stuck, poor thing, but then considering some of the others where called names like Freyja, Bunji and Kizzy, he got off light! At least his was just his nickname.

I wish you all the very best for your future together. I am sure you will both make the most of it.

Thanks, you too.

Welcome to the forum Silvart :-) Leigh

Hi Leigh

Nice place you've got here...

Welcome to the forum Damien :-) Leigh

Hi Leigh