Picking A Puppy Advice Please

[Deb7]

Hello,

I am new to this board and am looking for some advice and opinions on Whippets please. I am looking for a new member of our family and just so want a Whippet but have been given lots of different opinions on them and don't know if one would be right for us or not.

I would like a bitch, she will be a house pet although I would like to show her also. I have two boys aged 6 and 9 years, who would also like to get involved with junior handling. I do have other animals including dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and horses but am more then happy to do lots of socialization and training.

I have a large house with several acres and one of my concerns is that if she went out over the fields here and saw a rabbit or pheasant that she will go. Obviously I would expect her to give chase but should I be able to train her to come back when called ?? or will she clear all fences,etc in her mission to catch it?? I have reasonably good fencing but it is only stock type of 3 1/2- 4' high with electric running along the top. Can they be trained to be off lead whilst out for a walk also?? or is it not advised to let them off??

Also, does anyone do agility with their Whippets??

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated

Debbie

 

[whippets]

Hiya! I have a 16 month old bitch who is fine off the lead most of the time (she sometimes is stubborn and pretends not to hear her recall) :- " but she has never ran off too far. Whippets are great dogs and are usually great with children as they are so friendly. I think that all dogs have their moments of stuborness and dont come back :angry: however as i have said i find molly very reliable with her recall. 8)

i dont know anything anout showing or agility as moly is a pet olny however i am sure their will be plenty of adcice for you on here :thumbsup:

luv whippets :lol:

 

[oakmoorehill]

Hi welcome to k9

I have had show whippets for about 6 years and my son Ben does junior handler classes at shows.

The clases are split into 2 age groups 6-11 years and 12 -16 years so you will find that your boys wil not be able to compete on the same day unless you have 2 dogs.The best thing to do would be once you get you whippet to go to a local ringcraft class and some local shows with JHA classes so your boys can watch to see what is expected of them. These classes are judged on the childs handling and not the dog although you will find the dog has to be entered in the breed class to go into JHA classes

My whippets run free at our local park and are usually good at recalls and come back when they are called I cannot say the same for my greyhound who comes back when he feels like it.

Ben has handled whippets since he was about 7 years old and has found them easy to handle they are very loving to children and all mine love being with Ben

 

[Seraphina]

My dogs are good on recall. Whippet growing up with other animals will get used to them quite easily. I would expect any more problem with her than any other breed. All dogs will chase a cat when it runs unless they are taught not to.

Whippets are great dogs for kids to do JH, they are also good for agility.

Definitely find out about the ringcraft classes in your area.

:luck: :luck: :luck:

 

[*Lesley*]

Welcome to k9 :cheers:

 

[imperative]

Welcome to k9,hope you find your whippet,wouldnt be without ours such lovely couch potatoes. (w00t) (w00t)