I have always loved the look of whippets. now I am getting older I am considering a smaller breed of dog and wondered whether a whippet would fit the bill.
I have never had a hound before and I am looking for information about what they are like to live with. Are they trainable? I do agility and obedience with my current dogs. Would it be possible to do this with a whippet? do they hunt a lot? are they likely to go off after rabbits etc and not come back. Can they be taught to recall reliably? What about chasing I know some greyhounds can chase small furry animals. Do whippets do the same? do they have to be kept on the lead?

How active are they? do they need lots of stimulation like a collie or will they settle quietly after a walk? Do they feel the cold with their fine coats? Can they do long walks? Do they swim? What is their general health like? do they have any serious health problems and what tests should the parents have?
Anything else I would need to know about the breed?

We have a few whippets working rally obedience, you don't need the same level of perfection as traditional obedience but the ones I have seen working seem pretty good. :-)

We seem to be having a minor explosion of whippets in manchester at the minute. All owners are very pleased with their dogs, no major health issues developing. Training seems to need a GOOD basic recall in before 16 weeks followed by a chase recall beginning at 6 months. I would not neuter until 12 months at earliest,bone development etc.

Obedience seems an issue in those that get 2 pups at same time but no surprise there really, they are fast dogs but seem to make lovely pets. I know a groomer who has several and does agility, she manages fine but accepts that at points the dogs do the course how they feel like doing it!! Personally I like their style!! who wants a yes dog??!

Get a good breeder and ask lotsof questions and use your instincts.

Ooo sooo many questions..where do I start..lol.

I always say that Whippets are a very low level maintainence dog, they are suitable for all ages from children to the more mature person. They love walking but it is a myth that they need loads of walking. They arent keen on wet weather although I know of people who do walk theirs in rain...mine would look at me in horror if I got the leads out when it was raining!!
There is a Whippet obedience section who have made displays at Crufts. They have a natural instinct to hunt but can be trained like any other dog can.
I think I have answered a few questions..I think
They are a very popular breed...too popular really as there are too many litters in the BRS now.

My daughter, who I used to live with, has a whippet - he´s a big boy for his breed.  In his early life (up to about 18 months) he was brought up with a toy breed and several cats so never any problem there.  As a young boy he would run massive circles round the field and came back when he´d finished.  At agility he would often run into the next ring and run circles round that before returning.  Now as a mature dog he spends his life on the sofa - sprawled full length and believe me that´s long (they´re not called long dogs for nothing!!).  At night he likes to share his humans´ bed, most especially when it´s cold.  He feels the cold terribly.  In the winter he will only go in the garden when he´s utterly desperate or if he´s kicked out before bedtime (not literally kicked, of course!).  He´s a thief.  If it´s edible and he can reach it he´ll have it!  But my daughter finds him very low maintenance and would always have another one, preferably slightly smaller next time.

I can agree with all of that :)
I've never met one that wasn't an expert counter surfer !!
Far better than the met office at weather forcasting. You didn't need to look out of the window, the length of the dogs toilet trip gave you a very accurate gauge of what was going on outside. Amazing just how quickly a dog can pee in cold wet weather lol

thanks very much for all the helpful answers. I think I will have to go and meet some breeders and getb to know the dog now.