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Whippet

Alternative Name
The Snap Dog
Basic Info

Whippets are generally quiet and gentle dogs, content to spend much of the day sleeping.Because color is considered immaterial in judging whippets, they come in a wide variety of colors and marking patterns, everything from solid black to solid white, with red, fawn, brindle, blue, or cream. All manner of spots and blazes and patches are seen, sometimes all in the same litter. Whippets are a medium-size dog ranging from 25 to 40 lb (11-18 kg), with a maximum height of 22 inches (56 cm).

Health

Given proper nutrition, exercise, and veterinary care, most whippets live for 12 to 15 years. They are generally healthy, and are not prone to the frequent ear infections, skin allergies, or digestive problems that afflict other breeds. Genetic eye defects have been found in the breed, but are still very rare. Because of this threat, the American Whippet Club recommends that all breeders have the eyes checked clear on their breeding stock. Hip dysplasia is not a problem in whippets. Undescended testicles are common in the breed. Whippets, like many sighthounds, are sensitive to barbiturate anaesthetics.

Habitat

N/A

Behavior

Whippets are generally quiet and gentle dogs, content to spend much of the day sleeping. They are not generally aggressive towards other animals, and although especially attached to their owners, they are friendly to visitors. They are not prone to snapping, so they are good with young children. Because of their friendly nature they have often been known to be used in aged care facilities. They may or may not bark when strangers arrive, and are not suited to be guard dogs due to their trusting and unsuspicious nature. They do however tend to attack cats that stray onto their territory. Outside, particularly when they are racing or lure coursing, they demonstrate their superb athletic skills and will pursue their “quarry” (even when it is an artificial lure) with the heart of a lion. Unlike some other breeds, the males are as easy to housebreak, and no more aggressive, than females. Both sexes make excellent pets. Males are sometimes considered to be slightly more loyal and to enjoy repetitive play. Females can be a little more complex and strong-willed, but are equally devoted to their owners. Males tend to be one to two inches taller, and three to six pounds heavier, than females. Whippets are not well adapted for living in a kennel or as outside dogs. Their coats do not provide the insulation to withstand prolonged periods of exposure to the cold. Their natural attachment to people makes them happiest when kept as housepets. They are most at home in the company of their owners, in their lap or lying next to them on the lounge. Whippets are quiet and thus well suited to apartment life, although they do need regular exercise. The chance to run free in open spaces should be made available to the whippet. Care, however, should be taken with Whippets on the street as it is difficult to instil any sort of traffic sense into them. Whippets, as their heritage would suggest (they have been called a “poorman’s greyhound”), are outstanding running dogs and are top competitors in lure coursing, straight racing, and oval track racing. In these events, a temporary track and lure system is set up. The lure is usually a white plastic trash bag. With new methods of motivational obedience training being used, whippets are becoming successful obedience dogs. Many enjoy flyball and agility. The elegance and ease of grooming of the whippet have made it a popular show dog, but to be successful at this sport, you must purchase a puppy who is considered by its breeder to be show quality.

Origin

England

History

These dogs were bred to hunt by sight, coursing game in open areas at high speeds. Although one can find numerous representations of small greyhound-like hounds in art dating back to Roman times, the modern whippet was created by working-class people of northern England by crossing greyhounds with several other breeds, including the Italian Greyhound and a now-extinct long-legged terrier. These small coursing hounds were cheaper to feed and house than greyhounds but were very handy at providing rabbits for the pot. They also were used to provide sport on nonworking days as their owners enjoyed racing them against each other. The modern look of the breed was created by upper-class English dog fanciers, who bought the best-looking whippets and bred them selectively to appear most similar to a miniature greyhound.

Common Foods

pellet dog food

Wire Fox Terrier

Alternative Name
Fox Terrier Wire-Haired Fox Terrier Wire Fox Terrier (nick Foxie)
Basic Info

The Wire Fox Terrier is a breed of dog, one of many terrier breeds. It is an instantly recognizable fox terrier breed. Although it bears a resemblance to the Smooth Fox Terrier, they are believed to have been developed separately. This is a sturdy, balanced dog weighing up to 21 pounds. Its rough, broken coat is distinctive. The coat colour is predominantly white; brindle or liver markings are a disqualification.

Health

N/A

Habitat

N/A

Behavior

N/A

Origin

England

History

The Wire-Haired Fox Terrier was developed in England by fox hunting enthusiasts and is believed descended from a now-extinct rough-coated, black-and-tan working terrier of Wales, Derbyshire, and Durham. The Wire-Haired Fox Terrier was not popular as a family pet until the 1930s, when The Thin Man series of feature films was created. Asta, the canine member of the Charles family, was a Wire-Haired Fox Terrier, and the popularity of the breed soared. Milou (Snowy) from the Tintin comic strip is also a Fox Terrier. In the late 20th century, the popularity of the breed declined again, most likely due to changing living conditions in the Western world and the difficulty of keeping hunting terriers in cities due to their strong instincts. Among the less desirable traits of all fox terriers are their energy, digging, stalking and chasing of other animals, and yelping bark. This notwithstanding, the Wire Fox Terrier has the distinction of having received more Best in Show titles at major conformation shows than any other breed. Wire-Haired Fox Terriers kept as pets show the loyalty, intelligence, and breeding befitting such a storied breed.

Common Foods

pellet dog food

Xoloitzcuintli

Alternative Name
Mexican Hairless Dog Xoloitzcuintle Xoloitzquintle Tepeizeuintli (nick Xolo)
Basic Info

The Mexican Hairless Dog is a rare, (almost) hairless breed of dog which can be quite variable in size. It’s also known as Xoloitzcuintli or Xoloitzcuintle (the initial x is pronounced as an sh), Tepeizeuintli or Mexican Hairless. Owners of this dog call them “xolos” for short. The breed ranges in size from about 10 pounds (4 kg) to 50 pounds (20 kg), with an average body temperature of 40 °C. Similar in appearance to a Pharaoh Hound, with a sleek body, almond-shaped eyes, large bat-like ears, and a long antelope neck, the Xolo is notable for its dominant trait of hairlessness. Many members of this breed are also missing several teeth. There is also a “coated” Xolo with a very short coat of hair, and individual dogs may exhibit varying degrees of head and body

Health

N/A

Habitat

N/A

Behavior

N/A

Origin

Mexico

History

The breed is native to Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, and may date back 3500 years or earlier. Some cultures are believed to have kept them as pets, and believed the animals to be sacred. Xolos were considered sacred dogs by the Aztecs because they believed the dogs were needed by their masters’ souls to help them safely through the underworld. According to Aztec mythology, the god Xolotl made the Xoloitzcuintle from a sliver of the Bone of Life from which all man was made. Xolotl gave this gift to Man with the instruction to guard it with his life and in exchange it would guide Man through the dangers of Mictlan, the world of Death, towards the Evening Star in the Heavens. Even today some people may believe this breed to have healing, telepathic, or (gray) alien qualities. Other cultures ate the meat of the Xoloitzcuintli for ritual or medicinal purposes, and the meat may still be found for sale in some parts of rural Mexico. Xolos are not currently recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), making them a rare breed in the United States and other parts of the world. The breed is recognized by the FCI (Federacion Canofila Mexicana) which began a registration and breeding program for the Xolo on May 1, 1956. Prior to that time the Xolos were considered nearly extinct. New breed stock is still found in remote pockets of rural Mexico.

Common Foods

pellet dog food