Learn about the Whippet
Sprint, snuggle, repeat
The Whippet was bred as a smaller sighthound for racing and catching rabbits. It was fast enough for races but easy for working people to keep. In our family tree, its ancestors include the Greyhound, the black-and-tan terrier and the Italian Greyhound. It later helped make Longdogs, some terriers and toy terriers, and it is a popular breed today. Tap a circle inside to keep digging.
Likely life span
Learn more about the dogs that went into making the Whippet
c. 3000 BCOld Desert coursing dogs
c. 3000 BCAncient eastern sighthounds
c. 1200 BCEarly Badger hunting dogs
c. 500 BCOld hunting dogs of the Celts
c. 200 BCItalian Greyhound
AncientCeltic Hound
c. 100Gaulish coursing Hounds
AncientCeltic Coursing Hound
MedievalEarth Dog
MedievalOld British ratting Terriers
MedievalEarth and hunt terriers
1700sBlack and Tan Terrier
1700sGreyhound
1880sWhippet