The Whippet - A Complete Anthology of the Dog

By Read Books Ltd.

The Whippet - A Complete Anthology of the Dog gathers together all the best early writing on the breed from our library of scarce, out-of-print antiquarian books and documents and reprints it in a quality, modern edition. This anthology includes chapters taken from a comprehensive range of books, many of them now rare and much sought-after works, all of them written by renowned breed experts of their day. These books are treasure troves of information about the breed - The physical points, temperaments, and special abilities are given; celebrated dogs are discussed and pictured; and the history of the breed and pedigrees of famous champions are also provided. The contents were well illustrated with numerous photographs of leading and famous dogs of that era and these are all reproduced to the highest quality. Books used include: My Dog And I by H. W. Huntington (1897), British Dogs by W. D. Drury (1903), Hounds by Frank Townend Barton (1913) and many others.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Read Books Ltd.
• Release date: Jun 14, 2011
• ISBN: 9781446549704

Book preview

THE WHIPPET.

THE Whippet, or Snap Dog, as it is termed in several of the northern districts of the country, may scarcely be said to lay special claim to be considered a sporting dog, except in those parts of the country where it is most appreciated. The Whippet is essentially a local dog, and the breed is little valued beyond the limits of the northern counties. In these, however, this dog is held in high respect, and its merits as a provider of the means of sport are highly esteemed.

Unfortunately for the dog, the uses to which he is often placed have, naturally enough, done much to injure his reputation in the sight of many who would otherwise have regarded him with a favourable eye. So many scandals have arisen from time to time in connection with the quasi-sport of rabbit-coursing, that many who would otherwise have felt disposed to do their best to elevate the breed in popular estimation have reluctantly been compelled to discontinue their efforts on its behalf, on account of the unpleasant treatment they received from other admirers of the dog.

The special claims which the Whippet possesses to be classed in the present instance as a sporting dog are its strong structural resemblance to the modern Greyhound, and its association with rabbit-coursing and dog-racing. The latter, illegitimate sports though they may appear to the mind of a sportsman unacquainted with the localities where they are so eagerly pursued, cannot be disregarded when an unprejudiced view has to be taken of what constitutes sport in the minds of many of our fellow-countrymen. In answer to any doubts that might arise on the subject, the only reply that can be made with safety would be a visit to those districts where the inhabitants patronise rabbit-coursing, which visit, we believe, would convince the most sceptical opponent of the institution that at all events, when honestly carried out, the recreation may legitimately be described as sport.

The Whippet is undoubtedly a cross-bred dog which has been brought into existence to meet the exigencies of the sport with which it is associated. As will be seen from the remarks of Mr. Raper, later on, it is supposed that in days gone by the English Terrier pure and simple was good enough for what was wanted; but as time advanced a faster dog was required for carrying out what was required of him. Undoubtedly the Greyhound was selected for the purpose of improving the strain of rabbit-coursers then in existence; and with good results, as improved records most plainly testify. The sport of rabbit-coursing has of later years given way to dog-racing, where no rabbits are required, the struggle for supremacy lying in the fleetness of the competitors; and an element of cruelty has thus been undoubtedly avoided. However, we will proceed to give some notes upon the subject kindly afforded us by Mr. George Raper, of Stockton-on-Tees, which, as the writer is practically acquainted with the subject, will no doubt be of interest.

Mr. Raper says:—"Rabbit-coursing, once so popular a sport, has gradually waned. Some ten to twenty years ago it was all the rage amongst that class with which the Whippet dog is so closely associated. The dogs then used were of an entirely different stamp to the dogs of the present day—in fact, they were Terriers proper. The predominating colours were red and wheaten; many, too, were blue, with tan marking. These Terriers were very hard and game, and the best of dogs for cover work. They were, with very few exceptions, rough, having a hard and strong coat. They were of a medium length of leg—decidedly not leggy.

"With the gradual decay of rabbit-coursing, and the introduction of straight-out running (now the popular amusement), has disappeared the type of Terrier formerly used for the former sport. Now speed is the main object sought for; the main consideration is to get the greatest amount of speed in the least possible size; hence, to obtain speed, those interested in the breed have resorted to Italian and English Greyhound crosses. You know these dogs are now judged on the same scale as Greyhounds—in fact, many of them are so finely bred that they must strike the observant eye as being little else than a diminutive Greyhound; and not only in outline are they alike, but most of the smooth specimens are of the same colour as the Greyhound—we have whites, blacks, reds, fawns, brindles, and compounds from each.

"These dogs are very swift, and are entirely trained for speed, and to run straight. Many will stand on a mark until told to go, when they will make the best of their way to their owner, generally placed within a few yards of the winning post.

"No class of dog receives more care or attention; they are very carefully fed and attended to, and in many cases receive better food than their master or family. I knew an ironworker, who only worked a day or two a week; he himself lived entirely on bread, but his dog, who was undergoing a preparation for a race, was fed upon mutton. Nearly every ironworker has his Whippet, and, if he hardly has a coat to his back, his dog must have a good sheet, and, moreover, be muzzled. You can fell Geordie if you like, but don’t touch his dog.

"From the above notes you will observe that the dogs formerly used for rabbit-coursing were an entirely different stamp to the dog now used.

"I must not forget to mention that there are now many rough-haired Whippets, but they are built entirely upon the same lines as the smooth ones.

"The rules of rabbit-coursing differ very materially from Greyhound coursing; in the latter every wrench, turn, &c., counts so many points, whereas in rabbit-coursing these are reckoned of no account; the dog that kills the rabbit is declared the winner.

"Each dog runs on merit, but size is always taken into account. In Newcastle, Durham, and district, the general rule is to allow four yards per inch, according to the height of the dogs competing.

"Until lately the dogs had to pass under a standard, but it was found to be an unsatisfactory way of getting the correct height of a dog. Many a dog in reality 20 inches high would easily pass the standard at 18 inches. This he was trained to do, the usual plan being to place a needle in the top of the standard; when the dog passed under he pricked himself, this in time he learns to avoid by lowering himself. Now, the general rule is to have the dogs laid upon their sides, and measured from the shoulder-blade to the end of the foot.

"By far the most popular sport at the present day is dog-racing, or as it is termed, straight-out running.

"The usual distance of the race is 200 yards, the rule being to allow eight yards per inch, according to the