The Whippet - the right dog for me / for us?

 

You are looking for a four-legged friend and have come across the Whippet as the right companion for you.

After you have also read the standard, the decision is final for you.

You are looking forward to owning a loving and beautiful dog whose elegance is generally admired. But you are also aware that this Whippet will hardly deny his innate breed typical characteristics. As a "sight hunter" he usually relies on his sharp eyes and his fast legs. And of course he can fully live out his distinct hunting and movement pleasure especially on the racetrack, in coursing or also in agility.

At home you can experience and enjoy the whippet as an extremely quiet, pleasant and easy-care family member. Its stormy and affectionate greetings and its affectionate nature are a source of joy.

Thus your Whippet plays a surprising "double role" again and again as a cuddly cuddly dog and as a quite demanding and temperamental bundle of energy.

Here you will find some information for your purchase decision and for living together with your new darling in the first weeks.

 

What does a whippet cost?

Currently, a whippet in Switzerland costs between 1600 and 1800 francs. But keep in mind that the purchase price of the puppy is only the smallest part of the total costs of your dog keeping.

 

The "right" breeder for me?

You have to make this decision yourself. The "chemistry" between you and the breeder must be right. What does the breeder expect from you, your environment and your dog keeping? What do you expect from the breeder? What does the contract of sale say? What is the further advice and help after the puppy purchase?

 

Male or female?

Basically this choice does not play a big role with a whippet, because he is not a very dominant dog. Dear, cuddly and affectionate are males like females. Male dogs lift their leg; bitches are in heat once or twice a year. What can you live with better?

 

How do I get my puppy house-trained?

Most of the time, puppies get housebroken very quickly. When you pick up your new roommate at 10 to 12 weeks of age from your breeder, it is usually almost done.

A puppy usually does not pollute his own nest.

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Tips: After eating, after playing and after sleeping - grab the puppy and take it outside! Don't feed him too late in the evening, so that he can get through the night. If a small mishap should happen now and then, it is usually due to small communication difficulties between you and your protégé. You will quickly understand the puppy language and react in time - learn together!

 

Where should my darling sleep?

You do not want him to sleep in your bed with you? Then you have to be firm (sooner or later this loving creature will probably make it under your blanket anyway!) Maybe you put a basket or a dog box near the bed, cuddly and warm - no draught. That way you can see when the puppy has to go out at night.

 

What and how often does my puppy eat?

The breeder will have given you the food that the puppy has been given and a menu plan. Well - maybe he doesn't like it so much at your home, and he will try if you can get something better and stop eating sometimes. Keep consultation with the breeder! If the puppy is hungry, he will eat - believe us. Offer him his food two or three times a day and always provide fresh water. Please do not leave the food standing. If he has finished eating or does not like it - take away the feeding dish! If you leave the food standing, you are raising bad eaters, and this does not have to happen. Otherwise the puppy will train you!

 

How long should I play or go for a walk with my puppy?

A puppy is still a real baby. Please no forced marches! The rule of thumb

is: leashed three times a day for about 1 minute per week of life, e.g. in the

15th week of life three times 15 minutes. This is perfectly sufficient to satisfy his urge to move on the leash. When playing and romping freely, also make sure that he does not get too wild. If necessary, the puppy may have to be switched off like an "overexcited child". Puppies do not know when it is enough. You have to decide that. A puppy needs much rest and also much sleep. If you take this to heart, he will become a balanced companion.

 

How do I raise my puppy?

As soon as he is at home with you and is familiar with you and your surroundings, you should carefully familiarise him with many possible, even unfamiliar, environmental influences (encounters with strangers and animals, all sorts of noises, visual stimuli, etc.), especially in public and road traffic, to shape and strengthen his character. It is recommendable to attend puppy and imprinting play lessons and young dog courses of a designated dog school.

 

Quelle: wwcs.ch Übersetzung: millrivers.com