Whippet dog, also known as Whippet, Whip dog, Harehound, is a smaller version of the Greyhound and a true racing dog, commonly used for hunting rabbits and participating in races.
This dog has long and slender limbs, well-developed muscles, strong and powerful, with a very elegant and graceful appearance, with streamlined lines, and its body shape meets the requirements of speed. It is often used in China to catch rabbits, capture small prey, and participate in various racing competitions.
It has a gentle and obedient temperament, cheerful, affectionate, noble, and intelligent. It is easy to train and very loyal to its owner. It is an excellent companion dog and can also be used as a guard dog with proper training.
Whippet dogs are originally from northeastern England and are now mostly found in Russia. About 100 years ago, this breed was developed by crossing smaller Greyhounds with Manchester Terriers, Bedlington Terriers, and Whippets, among others.
Its name comes from the phrase "whip it," which means to move quickly. It is commonly used in short-distance races. Its running speed can reach 60 kilometers per hour. However, because this competition is very cruel, it was later banned in the UK and replaced with lure coursing. This legal competitive sport uses a waving handkerchief as a signal, and the Whippet quickly runs towards its owner based on the signal. Currently, this type of activity is still very popular in northern England and has become a festive entertainment activity.
The Whippet is well-behaved and a beloved family dog, but it requires a large amount of exercise and is not suitable for busy individuals or the elderly.
The Whippet dog has a gentle and docile temperament. It is extremely loyal to its owner and knows how to please them. It does not require much effort in training and discipline, making it an excellent companion dog.
1. Heart disease
Dogs with heart disease are often associated with obesity and old age. When dogs have heart disease, they mainly show symptoms such as easily becoming tired and having difficulty breathing. It is difficult to detect heart disease in dogs, and often the owner only realizes it when the dog is already seriously ill.
2. Infectious diseases
Canine distemper and canine parvovirus are common and highly fatal infectious diseases in dogs. Dogs that have not been vaccinated in time are susceptible to these two infectious diseases. Once infected, the dog may show symptoms such as listlessness, decreased appetite, elevated body temperature, vomiting, and diarrhea.
3. Kidney disease
When it comes to common diseases and symptoms in dogs, kidney disease must be mentioned. The terrifying aspect of kidney disease in dogs is that the onset process is often unnoticed, and when the owner realizes it, the damage to the dog's kidney cells has often exceeded 75%. When there is a problem with the dog's kidneys, the symptoms generally include blood in the urine, abnormal urine color, and changes in urination habits.
4. Parasites
Intestinal parasites such as roundworms and hookworms, as well as heartworms, are common parasites that infect dogs. When dogs are infected with intestinal parasites, the main symptoms include emaciation, lethargy, diarrhea, worm infestation in stools, and pale gums. Heartworm, on the other hand, is a parasite that lives in the dog's heart. Dogs infected with heartworms may show symptoms such as decreased energy, coughing, anemia, dyspnea, and ascites.
5. Canine pneumonia
Pneumonia is also a common disease in dogs, but it is often a complication of other diseases. It often occurs in dogs with abnormalities in the upper respiratory tract, bacterial infections, canine distemper infection, viral flu, lung dysfunction, and heartworm infection. Coughing, nasal congestion, and elevated body temperature are the main symptoms of canine pneumonia.
The Whippet dog has Italian greyhound lineage, although it has a strong resistance, it must also ensure that they have enough exercise every day to help them grow healthily.
Whippet puppies have sensitive skin, short hair, and love to play. They are easily contaminated by dust and other dirt. To ensure the healthy growth of puppies and prevent the occurrence of skin and parasitic diseases, it is necessary to clean them regularly.
The Whippet dog has a habit of trembling, but it does not mean that it is afraid or cold. It is best to avoid leaving it in bad weather or exposing it to the sun for a long time.
1. Do not bathe frequently
When bathing a dog, of course, it should not be too frequent. Bathing a dog depends on the dog's hygiene condition. In hot weather in summer, it can be bathed one or two more times, while in winter it can be reduced by one or two times. However, in general, it should not exceed 5 times. Otherwise, it will damage its fur and skin!
2. Brush regularly
Dogs shed almost every day, especially in spring and autumn. Seasonal shedding is more severe. To maintain good hair growth, regular brushing is an important step. Pet owners can use specialized pet brushes to help dogs clean naturally shed hair and prevent tangling. Brushing once in the morning and evening for about five minutes each time is enough.
3. Sunbathe
Sunbathing is beneficial to the growth of a dog's fur. Besides making the fur shinier, letting the dog sunbathe can also help kill bacteria. While sunbathing, pet owners can let the dog exercise, which can improve the dog's physical fitness, promote blood circulation, and help grow healthier fur.
4. Deworming
Poor fur condition is closely related to parasites. Parasites absorb a large amount of nutrients from a dog's body and compete for nutrition. Therefore, deworming is indispensable. It is recommended to deworm both internally and externally. Worming medicine can cause significant damage to a dog's gastrointestinal tract, so it is recommended to feed probiotics regularly to alleviate gastrointestinal discomfort.
5. Pay attention to diet
To ensure that a dog has a beautiful coat, it must have a solid nutritional foundation and pay attention to its daily diet. On the one hand, feed the dog with nutritious and healthy dog food, choose a dog food that is suitable and nutrient-rich to meet the dog's needs. On the other hand, you can also feed the dog with lean meat, cooked egg yolk, and vegetable oil in moderation.
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